Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder in Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignant neoplasms arising after solid organ transplantation or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The current World Health Organization classification identified 4 basic histologic types of PTLD: early, polymorphic variant, monomorphic variant, and classical Hodgkin lymphoma-type lesions.

Data of 12 PTLD cases of was retrospectively analyzed in terms of the transplanted organs, time to diagnosis of PTLD, type of immunosuppressive treatment in regard to the induction treatment and acute transplant rejection, and long-term survival.

Most of the analyzed cases of PTLD occurred in men (n = 8, 67%); 83% of patients were renal transplant recipients and 17% were liver transplant recipients. Of the kidney recipients, 8% received induction of antithymocyte globulin and 17% received daclizumab. An episode of acute rejection occurred in 6 (50%) patients. All patients were treated with pulses of methylprednisolone and received triple immunosuppressive regimen. Histopathologic examination revealed polymorphic form of PTLD in 5 (42%) patients and classical Hodgkin lymphoma in 3 (25%) cases. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was diagnosed in 3 (25%) patients, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma rich in T lymphocytes and histiocytes was diagnosed in 1 (8%) patient. ALK4- anaplastic lymphoma was diagnosed in 1 (8%) recipient. Four (25%) patients died as a result of PTLD progression (including all 3 patients with central nervous system involvement), and 8 survived with stable graft function.

PTLD is a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders occurring in organ recipients. The unusual location changes (especially central nervous system or intestine) can impede the proper diagnosis.