Abstract
Introduction: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare lymphoma associated with immunosuppression.
It is strongly associated with immunosuppression (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV])
and often occurs within the oral cavity. PBL is also seen in patients receiving immunosuppressive
therapy; however, despite its predisposition for the immunocompromised patients, PBL
has been diagnosed in immunocompetent patients. Aim: This study aims to prognostic factors and outcome of PBL in immunocompromised and
in immunocompetent patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at our institute from the year 2008 to 2015. Results: A total of 13 patients (8 males and 5 females) with PBL were identified. Eight patients
(61.5%) had extraoral PBL (median age 30.2 years) and 5 patients (38.5%) had oral
PBL (median age 44 years). Most common extraoral site was gastrointestinal tract.
Eight (61.5%) out of 13 patients were HIV positive. More than 50% of patients had
Ann Arbor Stage III or IV. All the cases were CD20 negative and CD138 positive. Seven
out of 13 patients had Ki-67 more than 80%. Nine patients received cyclophosphamide,
doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy. Three patients were on best
supportive care due to poor performance status (PS). One patient received intensive
chemotherapy with CODOX-M/IVAC. The median overall survival was 9 months in HIV-positive
patients and 6 months in HIV-negative patients. The prognosis was worse in patients
with Ki-67 of >80%. Statistical Analysis: Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan–Meier method and analyzed using log-rank
test and Fisher's t-test. Conclusion: The present study confirms that PBL in both HIV-positive and in HIV-negative patients
has an overall unfavorable outcome. The most important prognostic factors are stage,
ki-67, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS of the patient at the time of
presentation.
Key words
Immunocompetent - immunocompromised - ki67 - plasmablastic lymphoma
