Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Clinical and Histopathologic Findings

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare subset of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by neoplastic lymphocytes within the lumina of small to medium-sized blood vessels. IVLBCLs are B-cell tumors that can present in essentially any organ system, including the skin. Cutaneous manifestations vary greatly and can mimic other skin disease which may delay diagnosis; in the absence of skin lesions, blind skin biopsies can be utilized for diagnosis. Early studies suggested that IVLBCL is a very aggressive lymphoma with high overall mortality rate and short survival times. However, earlier diagnosis and use of new treatment modalities have shown promise in recent studies. This case series illustrates the heterogeneity of clinical and pathologic presentations of this uncommon lymphoma.