Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with Epstein-Barr virus-positive Hodgkin-like cells

Girish Venkataraman, Jonathan Berkowitz, John C. Morris, John Edward Janik, Mark A. Raffeld, Stefania Pittaluga

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hodgkin-like cells have been described in a variety of non-Hodgkin lymphomas including chronic lymphocytic leukemia and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. There have been rare reports in the Japanese population of human T-cell lymphotrophic virus-1-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma harboring Hodgkin-like cells; however, no similar cases have been described in Western patients. We report a 53-year-old African American man who presented with progressive weakness and lethargy, and was found to have generalized lymphadenopathy and hypercalcemia. A lymph node biopsy showed involvement by adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with scattered Epstein-Barr virus-positive cells, some of which resembled Hodgkin cells that had a B-cell phenotype, consistent with an Epstein-Barr virus-lymphoproliferative disorder. The patient had stage 4 disease with bone marrow involvement. In light of the associated B-cell lymphoproliferative process, the patient was treated with 6 cycles of intensive chemotherapy that targeted both the adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and the Epstein-Barr virus-lymphoproliferative disorder that resulted in a complete response. An awareness of the association of Epstein-Barr virus- lymphoproliferative disorder with Hodgkin-like cells in the context of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is necessary to avoid potential misdiagnosis and to aid in therapeutic decisions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1042-1046
Number of pages5
JournalHuman Pathology
Volume42
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2011

Keywords

  • Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
  • Epstein-Barr Virus
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Hodgkin-Like
  • Human T-Cell
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphotrophic Virus-1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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