Plasmablastic Lymphoma With Intravascular Localization in a Kaposi Sarcoma Skin Lesion

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hematology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• It predominantly affects HIV-positive individuals, often with oral or extranodal involvement.
• Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a common HIV-associated malignancy caused by HHV-8.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare presentation of PBL.
• To describe the coexistence of PBL and KS in an HIV-positive patient.
• To investigate the unusual finding of intravascular PBL cells within a KS lesion.

Main Methods:

• Case report and clinical data review.
• Histopathological examination of lymph node, gastric, and skin biopsy specimens.
• Immunohistochemical analysis to confirm cell lineage and markers.

Main Results:

• Diagnosis of plasmablastic lymphoma with nodal and gastric involvement.
• Identification of intravascular PBL cells within a pre-existing Kaposi sarcoma skin lesion.
• Co-occurrence of two distinct HIV-associated malignancies.

Conclusions:

• This case underscores the diverse and aggressive nature of PBL in HIV-positive individuals.
• The presence of intravascular PBL cells in KS suggests a potential route for dissemination.
• Further research is needed to understand the interplay between PBL and KS in the context of HIV infection.