Vulvar and gastric involvement in plasmablastic lymphoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Pathology

Background:

• Plasmablastic lymphoma is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• It is frequently associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
• The gastrointestinal tract is the most common site for this malignancy.

Observation:

• A case report details a 37-year-old African American woman with HIV.
• The patient presented with a vulvar mass.
• Diagnosis confirmed plasmablastic lymphoma.

Findings:

• The vulvar mass was diagnosed as plasmablastic lymphoma.
• Endoscopic biopsy revealed involvement of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
• This suggests a potential primary gastrointestinal origin.

Implications:

• Patients with plasmablastic lymphoma in unusual locations warrant investigation for gastrointestinal tract lesions.
• Early detection of gastrointestinal involvement is crucial for effective treatment.
• This case highlights the importance of considering extranodal sites in HIV-associated lymphomas.