Lymphomas associated with HIV

Epidemiology

The incidence of lymphoma in HIV-positive patients is increased by 60 to 200 times. These are mainly non-Hodgkin lymphoma, predominantly B-cell lymphomas, often of aggressive types; Hodgkin disease is increased eightfold. Lymphoma is the first AIDS-defining illness in 3-5% of patients. Herpes viruses, EBV and Kaposi Sarcoma Herpes Virus are thought to be causal. There is a marked propensity to involve extranodal sites.

Histopathology

Immunohistochemistry

See the respective lymphoma types.

CD3

may be aberrantly positive in PEL

 

CD20

lost in plasmablastic DLBCL, PEL and plasmablastic lymphoma of oral cavity

CD30

may be positive in DLBCL and PEL

CD38

may be positive in DLBCL and PEL

CD138 and VS38c

positive in PEL and plasmablastic lymphomas

CD71

may be positive in DLBCL and PEL

EMA

may be positive in DLBCL and PEL

 

True T-cell lymphomas express CD2, CD3, CD5, and CD4 or CD8; one or more may be lost.

References

World Health Organization Classification of Tumours, Tumours of the haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues, IARC Press 2001.

1Nador, R.G., Chadburn, A., Gundappa, G., Cesarman, E., Said, J.W. and Knowles, D.M. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Associated Polymorphic Lymphoproliferative Disorders. Am J Surg Pathol 2003;27:293-302.

2Carbone, A., A. Gloghini, et al. (2004). "Is plasmablastic lymphoma of the oral cavity an HHV-8-associated disease?" Am J Surg Pathol 28(9): 1251-2.

3Nuovo, G. J. (2004). "Re: Cioc AM, Allen C, Kalmar J, et al. Oral plasmablastic lymphomas in AIDS patients are associated with human herpesvirus 8. Am J Surg Pathol. 2004;25:41-46." Am J Surg Pathol 28(9): 1252-3.

This page last revised 8.10.2004.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop