Presence of Epstein-Barr virus in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas arising in patients treated for Hodgkin's disease

Concurrent Epstein-Barr virus associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma and recurrent Hodgkin disease

PURPOSE

Patients treated for Hodgkin disease (HD) are at increased risk for developing secondary neoplasms, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We present a patient who developed NHL (brain and lungs) as a second malignancy together with recurrent HD (bone marrow). Because HD and NHL have both been associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), especially in the immunodeficient host, the tumor specimens were studied for the presence of EBV, and the possible role of immunodeficiency in the development of this second malignancy was assessed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Tumor specimens were analyzed by conventional histologic and immunohistochemical methods, EBV detection was determined by RNA in situ hybridization for EBV- encoded RNAs (EBERs). Histopathology showed diffuse large cell lymphoma of B-cell phenotype in specimens from lesions in the brain and lungs. These specimens were EBER+. HD specimens from all recurrences were evaluated and were EBER.

CONCLUSIONS

This patient had received extensive chemoradiotherapy for recurrent HD, and presented with Pneumocystis pneumonia, a low absolute T-cell count, no response to mitogens in vitro, a second malignancy (EBV+NHL), and recurrent EBV-HD. We propose that the immunocompromised state of the patient played a significant role in the development of his second malignancy.

Discordant malignant lymphoma synchronous or successive high-grade B lymphoma associated with Hodgkin's disease. A clinico pathologic and immunophenotypic study of 4 cases

We report in 4 patients the rare association of Hodgkin's disease and high grade B malignant lymphoma. In 2 cases, both tumours were disclosed at the same time but in different tissues from the same region. In the 2 other patients, the second tumour was found 11 months and 12 months after the first respectively. In all cases Hodgkin's disease was of the nodular sclerosing type, the tumour cells expressing CD 30 and CD 15. The high grade lymphomas were of the polymorphic centroblastic (large non cleaved) type and expressed the B markers. One (case 4) was secondary to a follicular lymphoma. In 2 cases (2 and 4) the search for a latent EBV infection was negative in both tumours. In case 1, only the Reed-Sternberg cells were positive with both techniques. Such an association is different from so-called composite lymphomas, and can be called "discordant lymphoma". Different related conditions are discussed. This association is distinct from lymphomas or Hodgkin's disease complicating the treatment of Hodgkin's disease or malignant lymphomas.