Composite lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus: a case report and review of the literature

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2006 Jan;130(1):107-12. doi: 10.5858/2006-130-107-CLHLAP.

Abstract

We report a case of a 65-year-old black man with combined Hodgkin lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma. The patient presented with diffuse lymphadenopathy, fever, weight loss, and night sweats. Subsequent biopsy of an axillary lymph node revealed a composite lymphoma composed of classic Hodgkin lymphoma and a peripheral T-cell lymphoma. A needle biopsy of the liver also showed involvement by the composite lymphoma. In situ hybridization studies revealed positive Epstein-Barr virus in Reed-Sternberg cells. Development of T-cell lymphoma following chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma has been reported, but synchronous composite occurrence of both lesions is very rare. Furthermore, this is the first report of such occurrence in a black patient. We present a review of the literature and a discussion of the potential pathophysiologic role of Epstein-Barr virus in the early stages of T-cell lymphomagenesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / pathogenicity
  • Hodgkin Disease / pathology*
  • Hodgkin Disease / virology
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / virology
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / virology
  • Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / virology
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / virology
  • Reed-Sternberg Cells / pathology

Substances

  • DNA, Viral