Plasmablastic lymphoma
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PbL) is a type of rare and aggressive B-cell malignancy (considered a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma).
Pathology
It usually comprises of large neoplastic cells, most of them resembling plasmablasts that have a CD20-negative phenotype.
Associations
Although initially described as being associated with HIV, over the years it has also been identified in patients with solid organ transplant and immunocompetent patients.
Treatment and prognosis
It usually has an aggressive behavior and is refractory to chemotherapy with a poor prognosis in many patients.
History and etymology
It was first described in 1997 by Delecluse et al in patients with HIV.
See also
