Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma with coexistent hepatitis B infection: a rare clinicopathologic entity

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL) is a rare extranodal and systemic lymphoma derived from cytotoxic T cells usually of γδ T cell receptor type. It is characterized by primary extranodal disease with typical sinusoidal infiltration of liver, spleen, and bone marrow by medium-sized lymphoid cells.

A 29-year-old man, with no significant prior medical history, presented with fever and massive splenomegaly. A diagnosis of HSTL was established by histologic examination and immunohistochemistry. Staging workup demonstrated bone marrow involvement by lymphoma. In addition, the patient was found to have hepatitis B infection. The association of these 2 entities has been described rarely.

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma is a distinct T cell lymphoma associated with an aggressive clinical course, a poor response to conventional treatment, and an exceedingly high mortality rate. An association of HSTL with hepatitis B as seen in the present case is exceedingly rare, with few cases reported in the literature.