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Plasmablastic lymphoma in immunocompetent and in immunocompromised patients: Experience at a regional cancer centre
A H Rudresha1, K C Lakshmaiah1, Ankit Agarwal1
1Department of Medical Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Introduction:
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare lymphoma associated with immunosuppression. It is strongly associated with immunosuppression (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) and often occurs within the oral cavity. PBL is also seen in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy; however, despite its predisposition for the immunocompromised patients, PBL has been diagnosed in immunocompetent patients.
Aim:
This study aims to prognostic factors and outcome of PBL in immunocompromised and in immunocompetent patients.
Materials And Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study at our institute from the year 2008 to 2015.
Results:
A total of 13 patients (8 males and 5 females) with PBL were identified. Eight patients (61.5%) had extraoral PBL (median age 30.2 years) and 5 patients (38.5%) had oral PBL (median age 44 years). Most common extraoral site was gastrointestinal tract. Eight (61.5%) out of 13 patients were HIV positive. More than 50% of patients had Ann Arbor Stage III or IV. All the cases were CD20 negative and CD138 positive. Seven out of 13 patients had Ki-67 more than 80%. Nine patients received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy. Three patients were on best supportive care due to poor performance status (PS). One patient received intensive chemotherapy with CODOX-M/IVAC. The median overall survival was 9 months in HIV-positive patients and 6 months in HIV-negative patients. The prognosis was worse in patients with Ki-67 of >80%.
Statistical Analysis:
Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed using log-rank test and Fisher's t-test.
Conclusion:
The present study confirms that PBL in both HIV-positive and in HIV-negative patients has an overall unfavorable outcome. The most important prognostic factors are stage, ki-67, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS of the patient at the time of presentation.