The Epstein-Barr virus in malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the upper aerodigestive tract

Increasing incidence of Epstein-Barr virus-related nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the United States

BACKGROUND

The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been historically low in the United States. Although etiological factors differ by histological subtype, Epstein-Barr virus is accepted as the primary risk factor for nonkeratinizing NPC. In light of the changing epidemiology of viral-associated cancers, it is important to evaluate the temporal incidence of NPC in the United States.

METHODS

Incidence and survival data from 1973 through 2015 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. Stratified analyses were conducted to assess temporal trends in NPC by histological subtype, sex, and race. The data were analyzed using SAS and Joinpoint Regression Software to determine age-adjusted incidence rates, determine trends in the annual percent change, and calculate 5-year relative survival estimates and Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

Although overall NPC incidence is decreasing in the United States, the nonkeratinizing differentiated subtype is starkly increasing, with an annual percent change of approximately 4% among white males (95% CI, 2.5%-5.2%), white females (95% CI, 1.9%-6.2%), and black males (95% CI, 2.0%, 5.7%); 2.7% among black females (95% CI, 0.8%, 4.6%); and 1.8% among women in the "other" race category (95% CI, 0.4%-3.3%). Racial disparities were noted, with 32% of nonkeratinizing NPC cases among blacks occurring before the age of 40 years. In addition, black males displayed consistently worse survival across all histological subtypes, whereas individuals in the "other" race category, particularly females, experienced the highest 5-year relative survival estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results indicate that the Epstein-Barr virus-related, differentiated NPC subtype is increasing across all sexes and races in the United States, with distinct incidence and survival disparities among blacks.

Craniofacial resection and its role in the management of sinonasal malignancies

Sinonasal malignancy is rare, and its presentation is commonly late. There is a wide variety of pathologies with varying natural histories and survival rates. Anatomy of the skull base is extremely complex and tumors are closely related to orbits, frontal lobes and cavernous sinus. Anatomical detail and the late presentation render surgical management a challenging task. A thorough understanding of anatomy and pathology combined with modern neuroimaging and reliable reconstruction within a multidisciplinary team is imperative to carry out skull base surgery effectively. While endoscopic approaches are gaining credibility, clearly, it will be some time before meaningful comparisons with craniofacial resection can be made. Until then, craniofacial resection will remain the gold standard for managing the sinonasal malignancies of the anterior skull base, as it has proved to be safe and effective.

Extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma of the palate and paranasal sinuses

Background:

Extranodal nasal-type natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma represents a rare entity, typically originating in the nasal cavity, palate or midfacial region. Signs and symptoms include non-specific rhinitis and/or sinusitis, nasal obstruction, epistaxis, facial swelling and development of deep necrotic ulceration in the midline of the palate, causing an oronasal defect. Differential diagnosis includes fungal infections, Wegener’s granulomatosis, tertiary syphilis, other non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas and malignant epithelial midline tumors.

Case Report:

We present a case of a 40-year-old man complaining of headache, facial pain, nasal congestion and fever. Examination revealed a large deep necrotic ulcer in the middle of the palate, presenting as an oronasal defect. Endoscopic rhinoscopy revealed crusts in the nasal cavities, moderate perforation of the nasal septum cartilage and contraction of the middle and inferior conchae. Computer tomography showed occupation of the maxillary sinuses, ethmoidal cells and sphenoidal sinus by a hyperdense soft tissue mass. Laboratory investigation revealed increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A wide excision of the lesion was performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation established the diagnosis of extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma. The patient was treated with CHOP chemotherapy, involved-field radiotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation. A removable partial denture with obturator was fabricated and inserted to relieve problems caused by the oronasal defect.

Conclusions:

Extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma is a very aggressive, rapidly progressing malignant neoplasm with a poor prognosis, which can be improved by early diagnosis and combined treatment.

Primary tonsillar lymphomas according to the new World Health Organization classification: to report 87 cases and literature review and analysis

The present study aimed to define the natural history, World Health Organization (WHO) classification, prognostic factors, and treatment outcome of 87 patients with primary lymphoma of the palatine tonsil and literature review and analysis. Between 1990 and March 2008, 87 consecutive patients diagnosed with primary lymphoid malignancy of the palatine tonsil. All pathologic specimens were reviewed and reclassified according to the recent WHO classification. To investigate the association of tonsillar lymphomas with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), in situ hybridization was performed for 24 tonsillar lymphomas (23 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBC) and one classic Hodgkin's disease) and ten normal tonsils as control group. In literature review, we found 26 major related series including 1,602 patients with primary tonsillar lymphoma. The median age of our patients was 52 years (range 11-86 years). There were 39 women and 48 men with a median follow-up of 67 months for living patients. The vast majority (95%) of patients had B-cell phenotype. DLBC was the most frequent histology. In situ hybridization revealed none of 23 DLBC to be positive for EBV. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 78.9% and 86%, respectively. In the literature review and by analyzing the data collection from 26 major reported series, the median age was 55 years and male/female ratio was 1.3:1. Intermediate grade tumors consisted of 72% of all tonsillar lymphomas and B-cell lymphomas constituted 82% of all cell immunophenotypes. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 61% and 67%, respectively. The vast majority of tonsillar lymphomas are of B-cell origin and with intermediate to high-grade histology. These neoplasms tend to present in early stage disease and to have favorable outcome. WHO classification predicts more accurately treatment outcome of patients with tonsillar lymphoma. The association of DLBC in the palatine tonsil with EBV infection is infrequent.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma in a patient with Jo-1 syndrome

Jo-1 syndrome is an autoimmune disease with autoantibodies against the histidyl tRNA synthetase. Characteristic clinical findings include inflammatory myopathy and interstitial lung disease. We present the first case of a patient with Jo-1 syndrome (positive Jo-1 autoantibodies, myositis, interstitial alveolitis) who developed Hodgkin's lymphoma of nodular-sclerosing type. Thus, patients with Jo-1 syndrome and immunosuppressive therapy similar to other patients with autoimmune disease are at risk to develop lymphomas and should therefore be monitored carefully.

Composite marginal zone B-cell lymphoma and classical Hodgkin's lymphoma: a clinicopathological study of 12 cases

AIMS

Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL) rarely coexists as composite lymphoma with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). We characterized 12 cases of composite marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZBL) and cHL by immunohistochemistry and molecular biology.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eight patients had gastric MZBL of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type, in five cases with a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma component. Concurrent cHL was observed either in the stomach wall, regional, or distant lymph nodes. One patient each had composite pulmonary/thyroid MZBL of MALT-type and cHL. In two cases, nodal composite MZBL and cHL was observed. cHL displayed features of mixed cellularity type in 10 cases, while in two cases only scattered Hodgkin- and Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells were noted. H/RS cells expressed CD30, multiple myeloma oncogene 1 protein (MUM1P), p53 (100%), CD15 (58%), CD20 (58%) and Epstein-Barr virus-associated LMP1 (50%). No t(11;18)(q21;q21) was detected in composite MZBL of MALT-type and cHL.

CONCLUSIONS

MZBL and cHL may occur as composite lymphoma, possibly reflecting clonal lymphoma progression. Derivation from extranodal MZBL of MALT-type should be excluded in cases in which a diagnosis of primary extranodal cHL is considered.

Epstein-Barr virus and cancer

EBV was the first human virus to be directly implicated in carcinogenesis. It infects >90% of the world's population. Although most humans coexist with the virus without serious sequelae, a small proportion will develop tumors. Normal host populations can have vastly different susceptibility to EBV-related tumors as demonstrated by geographical and immunological variations in the prevalence of these cancers. EBV has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and lymphomas, as well as leiomyosarcomas arising in immunocompromised individuals. The presence of this virus has also been associated with epithelial malignancies arising in the gastric region and the breast, although some of this work remains in dispute. EBV uses its viral proteins, the actions of which mimic several growth factors, transcription factors, and antiapoptotic factors, to usurp control of the cellular pathways that regulate diverse homeostatic cellular functions. Recent advances in antiviral therapeutics, application of monoclonal antibodies, and generation of EBV-specific CTLs are beginning to show promise in the treatment of EBV-related disorders.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders in angloimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified

Various patterns of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated B-cell lymphoproliferation occur in patients with immunodeficiency. We studied 17 cases of T-cell lymphoma displaying extensive EBV-driven B-cell lymphoproliferation or simultaneous/subsequent EBV-associated B-cell lymphoma. In 10 cases of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, an uncommonly prominent population of EBV+ atypical, activated, focally confluent large transformed B cells was found in the background of T-cell lymphoma. In 4 cases, an EBV-associated B-cell neoplasm (3 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, 1 plasmacytoma) occurred in patients with T-cell lymphoma. Three cases were composite lymphomas of a peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified, combined with EBV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The transformed B-cell population displayed EBV latency types 2 and 3. Monoclonal and oligoclonal B-cell populations were detected in 5 and 6 cases, respectively. Similar to other states of immunodeficiency, disease-related and therapy-induced immunosuppression in T-cell lymphoma may lead to a prominent EBV-associated B-cell lymphoproliferation and to EBV+ B-cell neoplasms.

Lymphomas of the oral cavity: histology, immunologic type, and incidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection

The purpose of this study was to determine the histologic class and immunologic phenotype of lymphomas presenting initially in the oral cavity and whether this correlated to a high incidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection as has been reported with lymphomas in the nasal cavity. Seventy-one cases of oral lymphomas from the oral pathology referral service were analyzed retrospectively. They were classified according to the Revised European American Lymphoma (REAL) classification system using routine immunohistochemistry. EBV infection was determined by detection of early viral RNA sequences (EBER) and latent membrane protein (LMP-1) expression. Only non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were observed, with a female predominance of 2:1. They were primarily of B-cell origin and histologically classified mainly as large B-cell type (68%); T-cell lymphomas were rare (8%). EBV infection was observed in 14% of the B-cell lymphomas, an incidence rate higher than that reported in studies of B-cell lymphomas not located in the oral cavity but not as high as that observed in pleomorphic T-cell lymphomas (all sites, 36%) or nasal cavity T-cell lymphomas (nearly 100%). Interestingly, EBV proliferation did not correlate with expression of either Bcl-2 or p53.

Epstein-Barr virus detection in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the oral cavity: an immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to histologically characterize a series of oral non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) and to investigate latent and lytic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in these.

STUDY DESIGN

The revised European-American Lymphoma classification system (41) was used to categorize 58 cases of oral NHL, which included 9 immunosuppression-related NHLs. EBV infection was determined by in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA and by immunohistochemistry for the EBV antigens latency membrane protein, Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-2 (EBNA2) and Z EBV replication activator protein.

RESULTS

Most tumors were B-cell lymphomas (78%), but the proportion of T-cell lymphomas was surprisingly high (22%). The most common histologic subtypes were diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (45%), peripheral T-cell lymphomas (19%), and follicle center lymphomas (14%). Two thirds of the known immunosuppression-related NHLs were T-cell lymphomas. All of the immunosuppression-related tumors were EBV-infected, whereas the EBV infection rate in the NHLs of the remaining patients presumed to be immunocompetent was only 9%. Most EBV-positive tumors expressed neither of the latent antigens (ie, latency membrane protein and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-2), and coexpression of the 2 was observed only in immunosuppressed patients. Z EBV replication activator protein expression, which is indicative of replicative infection, occurred only in immunosuppressed individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas were the most common histologic subtype of oral NHLs, but T-cell lymphomas were relatively common and frequently occurred in states of immunosuppression. EBV may play a limited role in the initiation of lymphoma in the immunocompetent patient, but the virus may be of importance in progression of the disease in those patients with more aggressive tumors, as immunosuppression occurs.

[Angiocentric lymphoma of the palate]

Angiocentric lymphomas are very infrequent neoplasms in our geographical setting. They tend to develop in the oronasal region in the form of necrotic lesions--specifically in the midfacial zone--with a rapid course and poor prognosis. Immunohistochemically, the malignant cells have been shown to correspond to T lymphocytes. In addition, recent research supports the possible role of Epstein-Barr virus as a possible etiological factor. We present the case of a 67 year old man with an ulcerated palatinal lesion of recent appearance that was diagnosed as angiocentric lymphoma by histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Following diagnosis, treatment was provided in the form of 3 cycles of CHOP type chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Epstein-Barr virus load monitoring: its role in the prevention and management of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease

The Epstein-Barr virus load in the peripheral blood at the time of diagnosis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is elevated 1000- to 10,000-fold compared to the level detected in normal latency. With the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), changes in the viral load over time can be measured with a two- to fourfold accuracy. This has allowed early detection of first-time infections and reactivations that may lead to PTLD and has provided an opportunity to intervene before symptomatic disease has occurred. Viral load monitoring has also been used to follow patients with PTLD and, along with other parameters, provided an assessment of the effectiveness of therapeutic protocols. Viral load monitoring has led to the discovery that at least two-thirds of transplant recipients become persistent viral load carriers. While the persistent load appears to be largely carried in latently infected memory B cells, more work is needed to clearly define this type of persistent infection and determine the risks associated with it. New diagnostic tests need to be developed to distinguish the persistent latent viral loads from viral loads that are likely to become symptomatic PTLD.

Blastoid NK cell leukemia/lymphoma with cutaneous involvement

Malignant neoplasms from natural killer (NK) cells are characterized by their positivity for CD56 and absence of monoclonal TCR gene rearrangement. Recently, they have been classified into four main types (nasal and nasal-type NK cell lymphoma, aggressive NK cell leukemia/lymphoma, and blastoid NK cell leukemia/lymphoma), based on clinical features, racial predisposition, presence of azurophilic granules, immunophenotype and association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. A 72-year-old Caucasian man presented with a malignant neoplasm comprised of blastoid cells without azurophilic granules in the Giemsa stain, with positivity for CD2, CD4, HLA-DR, CD45 and CD56, and negativity for CD3 (surface and cytoplasmic) and CD5. In situ hybridization for EBV and PCR analysis of rearrangement of the T cell receptor gene were negative. Based on these results, a diagnosis of blastoid NK cell lymphoma was made. In this case the first clinical manifestations were the cutaneous lesions, and, although the disease was already advanced at the diagnosis, the patient responded completely to the treatment and remains asymptomatic 14 months after diagnosis.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the sinonasal tract

OBJECTIVES

A review of the presenting features, management, and outcome of extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the sinonasal tract during a 10-year period in Nottingham, UK.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty-four patients received a diagnosis of extranodal NHL of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, or both, from 1987 to 1996. The patients' data were collected prospectively in the Nottinghamshire Lymphoma Registry.

METHODS

All patients' records and their histology were reviewed along with data entered into the Nottinghamshire Lymphoma Registry, noting the patient's age, sex, presenting symptoms and signs, staging, computed tomography findings, histology, treatment, complications, and outcome.

RESULTS

The 24 patients with extranodal NHL of the sinonasal tract represent 1.63% of the 1,457 patients with NHL seen in the 10-year period of this study in Nottinghamshire. The median age was 72 years (range, 42-96 y), with a male dominance (male-to-female ratio: 15:9). Most patients presented with nonspecific nasal symptoms such as nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Only one patient had a relapse involving the central nervous system after treatment. All the histology was reviewed and showed a predominance of large B-cell subtype (21 patients). The overall 5-year survival was 40% (95% CI, 19%-61%) and 33% for 10-year (95% CI, 12%-54%). The cause-specific survival at 5 years and 10 years was 62% (95% CI, 39%-86%).

CONCLUSIONS

A high degree of suspicion and appropriate use of computed tomography scans and surgical biopsy are the keys to the management of NHL.