Home > E. Pathology by systems > Respiratory system > Pleura > primary effusion lymphoma
primary effusion lymphoma
Wednesday 11 May 2005
Definition: Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an uncommon large cell lymphoma, mostly seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients.
PEL is characterized by various clinical, histomorphologic, and immunophenotypical features, and is associated with the human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8).
PEL may present as either a body cavity-based lymphomatous effusion or a solid tumor mass. Most so-called "solid PEL" usually have an extranodal location; exceptionally rarely, they occur in lymph nodes.
The majority of PEL consist of malignant cells of B-cell genotype; seldom they are of T-cell origin.
Localization
serous cavities
lymph node (solid PEL) (15832089)
Differential diagnosis
anaplastic large cell lymphoma (15105661)
References
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)-associated peritoneal primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) in two HIV-negative elderly patients. Boulanger E, Hermine O, Fermand JP, Radford-Weiss I, Brousse N, Meignin V, Gessain A. Am J Hematol. 2004 May;76(1):88-91. PMID: 15114607