Extracavitary primary effusion lymphoma presenting as a solitary brain mass

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Tiffany Javadi, Emory University; Bryan Morales, Emory University; Jeffrey James Olson, Emory University; Shawn Kothari, Emory University; Linsheng Zhang, Emory University; Malak Abedalthagafi, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2024
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1080%2F20450907.2024.2357535
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: CNS Oncology
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 2357535
• Grant/Funding Information: The authors have no financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
• Keywords: brain mass; HHV8; HIV; extracavitary primary effusion lymphoma; EBV
• Research Categories: Biology, Virology; Health Sciences, Oncology

Abstract

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an uncommon B-cell lymphoma associated with human herpesvirus 8 and comprises 3–4% of all HIV-related lymphomas. It traditionally presents as a pleural, pericardial, and/or peritoneal effusion, though it can occasionally manifest as an extracavitary or solid mass in the absence of an effusion. The extracavitary or solid variant of primary effusion lymphoma has been reported in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, lung, and lymph nodes. However, very few cases have been reported in the central nervous system. We describe a case of extracavitary or solid variant of primary effusion lymphoma presenting as a brain mass in an HIV-positive man, highlighting the clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic findings of a rare entity.