Recurrence of Nodal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma as Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Is an Intravascular Component at Initial Diagnosis Predictive?

Intravascular Large B-cell Lymphoma Presenting as Sudden Death

ABSTRACT

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma is a rare subset of non-Hodgkin lymphoma composed of mature B lymphoma cells confined to the intravascular space. This disease remains elusive because it lacks a discrete tumor mass, can affect any part of the body, and has vague symptoms paired with heterogeneous clinical findings resulting in delayed or missed accurate diagnosis, even at postmortem examination. This is a case of a woman who died within hours of presenting to the emergency department with a diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma made through autopsy examination, adding to the knowledge of this rare disease and bringing it to the attention of practicing autopsy and forensic pathologists.

MRI characteristics of ventral vertebral venous plexus occlusion due to lymphoma in a large breed dog

Intravascular lymphoma is a rare presentation of lymphoma with a predilection to the central nervous system (CNS). A 9-year-old male-neutered Collie presented with a 3-month history of lymphadenopathy and a 6-day history of an acute onset, progressive, painful, symmetrical L4-S3 myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multifocal extradural spinal cord compressions from L3 to L6 secondary to a bilaterally enlarged and occluded ventral vertebral venous plexus (VVVP). Histopathology revealed low-grade lymphoma within the venous plexus in the lumbar vertebral column, tracheobronchial lymph nodes, and tonsils. Intravascular lymphoma should be considered a differential diagnosis for enlarged VVVP causing compression of the spinal cord.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with significant intravascular invasion. Close resemblance of its clinicopathological features to intravascular large B-cell lymphoma, but not to DLBCL-not otherwise specified

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification as one type of extranodal large B-cell lymphoma and it is characterized by the selective growth of lymphoma cells within blood vessels with minimal extravascular invasion. According to the criteria, however, several reported cases of IVLBCL with significant extravascular invasion cannot be classified as IVLBCL. The purpose of the present study was to assess the clinicopathological significance of the WHO criteria for IVLBCL. We characterized clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features of 11 patients with extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with significant intravascular invasion (DLBCL-IV), and statistically compared their features with those of 11 patients with IVLBCL and 15 patients with extranodal DLBCL with virtually no intravascular invasion (DLBCL-noIV). When compared with the DLBCL-noIV group, the DLBCL-IV group was characterized by significantly higher rates of splenomegaly, hemophagocytosis, advanced stage disease, and CD5 expression; higher average platelet count, serum lactate dehydrogenase level, and serum ferritin level. Progression-free survival was significantly shorter in the DLBCL-IV group than the DLBCL-noIV group. In contrast, there were no significant differences in clinicopathological features between the DLBCL-IV and the IVLBCL groups. Our study suggests that DLBCL-IV should be regarded as IVLBCL-related.

Bone marrow infiltration pattern in patients with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma diagnosed by random skin biopsy

We retrospectively analyzed bone marrow (BM) infiltration pattern in consecutive 30 intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) patients diagnosed by random skin biopsy (RSB). BM infiltration of lymphoma was observed in 18 patients (60.0%), including five patients with the intrasinusoidal pattern with minimal extravasation, eight patients with the mixed of intrasinusoidal and scattered/interstitial or nodular infiltration, and five patients with the nodular/diffuse pattern. Twelve patients were negative for lymphoma infiltration. BM histology of patients with IVLBCL were diverse and frequently discordant with those of other site of IVLBCL lesions. BM biopsy had a poorer diagnostic performance for detecting intravascular features.

Prognostic Value of Concurrent Expression of C-MYC and BCL2 in Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A 10-Year Retrospective Study

Background

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a variant of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), characterized by the presence of a B-lymphoma cell in the lumina of small blood vessels or capillaries. Due to its extremely variable clinical manifestations, IVLBCL typically results in a delayed diagnosis and poor disease prognosis. Skin biopsy, particularly random skin biopsy, has shown a potential role in the diagnosis of IVLBCL. However, information of clinicopathological features in patients with IVLBCL diagnosed by skin biopsy is limited.

Objectives

To study the clinicopathological features in relation to immunohistochemical features and to identify prognostic factors in IVLBCL patients diagnosed by skin biopsy.

Materials and Methods

Clinical characteristics; laboratory, histological, and immunohistochemical findings; and therapeutic response of all biopsy-confirmed IVLBCL patients during the years 2008-2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The mean age was 67.4 (±9.8) years. Fever was the most common presenting symptom, accounting for 64.7%. Cutaneous and bone marrow involvement was found in 23.5% and 35.3% of patients, respectively. Patients receiving R-CHOP showed more favorable therapeutic outcome. C-MYC/BCL2 double expressors showed significantly higher incidence rate to mortality compared with nondouble expressors (p = 0.042). One-year and two-year overall survival rates were 67.2% and 53.8%, respectively.

Conclusions

Skin biopsy is an effective diagnostic method for IVLBCL. Concurrent expression of C-MYC and BCL2 may be a useful prognostic indicator and should be performed in order to predict the prognosis in IVLBCL patients.

Concomitant subcutaneous intravascular lymphoma lesions in a patient with cardiac diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: is intravascular lymphoma a distinct clinical entity?

We describe a patient who presented with large cardiac diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and adrenal masses. The patient also had subcutaneous intravascular lymphoma lesions which were detected by random skin biopsy. Although ambiguous, minimal extravascular location of lymphoma cells is permitted for the diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) in the WHO definition, a number of rare cases have been reported as having concomitant tumours in other organs, such as the adrenal gland, brain, and penis. We assume that IVLBCL might be a peculiar feature of DLBCL characterised by preferential localisation of lymphoma cells within the capillaries rather than a distinct disease entity of DLBCL.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma presenting as Richter's syndrome with cerebral involvement in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which can present with B symptoms, rash, and neurological deterioration. Up to 10% of cases of IVLBCL are associated with other hematological neoplasms, including this extremely rare presentation of IVLBCL as Richter's transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Hemophagocytosis-Related (Asian Variant) Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma in a Hispanic Patient: A Case Report Highlighting a Micronodular Pattern in the Spleen

OBJECTIVES

We report a case of hemophagocytosis-related (Asian variant) intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) in a patient of Western origin initially diagnosed by splenectomy with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with a micronodular pattern. The clonal relationship between these two DLBCL subtypes is also investigated.

METHODS

Hemophagocytosis-related (Asian variant) IVLBCL was identified at autopsy in a 62-year-old Hispanic woman, in North America, following an antemortem diagnosis of massive splenic involvement by DLBCL with a micronodular pattern, a feature not expected of IVLBCL.

RESULTS

These two apparently distinct lymphoma types demonstrated similar immunophenotypic profiles and IgH gene rearrangements of identical size suggesting a clonal relationship. The 2008 WHO classification system describes IVLBCL in the spleen as having a sinusoidal pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations provide the first molecular genetic support for a seemingly underrecognized micronodular pattern of IVLBCL in the spleen and further support the proposal of a "mixed variant" of IVLBCL with concomitant "intravascular" and "solid" phases of disease.

An intravascular lymphoma with extravascular tendencies

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVL) is rare and characterized by selective growth of neoplastic cells within the lumina of small blood vessels. We present the case of a 69-year-old woman who died of a widespread IVL with extravascular involvement of the lymph nodes, liver, bladder, and adrenal gland. This report discusses the unique features of IVL with concurrent extravascular components.

A case of large B-cell intravascular lymphoma in the brain

BACKGROUND

Intravascular lymphoma is a rare and fatal disease that can have central nervous system (CNS) manifestations. It is usually a diagnosis made postmortem. This is partly due to its varied presentation, which lends itself to the complexity of diagnosis.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a rare case of intravascular lymphoma in the brain found antemortem.

CONCLUSION

Review of the literature shows that a timely diagnostic tissue biopsy together with aggressive combination chemotherapy treatment can improve patient outcome.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma

A rare type of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, intravascular large B-cell lymphoma primarily affects the middle-aged to elderly population, with a slight predominance in men. By the time of presentation, most patients have advanced, disseminated disease, and often the diagnosis is made at autopsy. Patients may present with any of a myriad of symptoms, with any tissue potentially being infiltrated. Central nervous system and cutaneous involvement is common, as is the presence of B symptoms including fever, weight loss, and night sweats. Morphologically, growth of neoplastic cells is restricted to the lumen of small vessels. The cells are large, with 1 or more prominent nucleoli, scant cytoplasm, and frequent mitotic figures, and are commonly positive for cluster of differentiation markers 79a, 20, and 19, as well as MUM1/IRF4 and Bcl-2. Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma is aggressive, and without treatment is rapidly fatal.

[Intravascular large B cell lymphoma: a case series of three patients and update]

PURPOSE

Intravascular large B cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare and aggressive variant of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, characterized by multifocal proliferation of lymphoma cells exclusively within small and medium blood vessels. IVLBCL can be systemic and quite polymorphic, which often makes it difficult to diagnose, thus delaying appropriate treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report three patients of atypical IVLBCL, through the study of which we overview recent knowledge about IVLBCL.

RESULTS

The first patient initially presented with peripheral thrombocytopenia and splenic destruction of platelets, later completed with an interstitial pulmonary syndrome. The second patient, of African origin, we believe is the first case of a black patient with IVLBCL described in the medical literature. The third belongs to the rare group of occidental patients that present an IVLBCL associated with a hemophagocytic syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Intravascular large B cell lymphoma is a systemic and polymorphic disease. Awareness of this entitiy should allow rapid and appropriate management.

[Intravascular B-cell lymphoma with febrile inflammatory lymphoedema of the lower limbs and lower back]

BACKGROUND

Intravascular lymphomas are diffuse large-cell lymphomas belonging to a group of high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and are generally of phenotype B. They are rare and carry a severe prognosis. Clinical polymorphism is dominated by neurological and cutaneous involvement.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report the case of an 80-year-old woman with cutaneous intravascular B-cell lymphoma as revealed by an isolated episode of febrile bilateral inflammatory lymphoedema. Following combined chemotherapy with rituximab and mini-CHOP (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, oncovin and prednisone), complete remission was obtained rapidly, with no relapse at two years.

DISCUSSION

Diagnosis of these tumours is rendered difficult by the clinical polymorphism and multifocal nature of lymphocytic proliferations. In the present case, diagnosis was based on histology results since presentation of the disease in the form of bilateral inflammatory oedema of the lower limbs is not sufficient to establish lymphoma. Combined rituximab and polychemotherapy comprising a CHOP regimen appears to yield the best results.

Definition, diagnosis, and management of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: proposals and perspectives from an international consensus meeting

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare form of diffuse LBCL characterized by preferential intravascular growth of malignant lymphocytes, aggressive behavior, and an often fatal course. IVLBCL usually affects elderly patients with poor performance status, elevated lactic dehydrogenase serum levels, anemia, and B symptoms. It displays some differences in clinical presentation among diverse geographical areas, mostly between patients diagnosed in Western countries and Japan. In addition, data from the literature suggest that pathologic diagnostic criteria as well as clinical features of this disease may be broader than described in current classification scheme(s). Under the sponsorship of the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group, clinicians and pathologists with interest in IVLBCL, coming from Western and Eastern countries, joined to reach a consensus on defining features as well as to focus on the most urgent unresolved issues in IVLBCL. To this end, a representative group of IVLBCL patients coming from both the aforementioned geographical areas were collectively analyzed. Additional features of IVLBCL were proposed both under clinical and pathologic stand points. At the meeting, it emerged that IVLBCL may have additional histopathologic/cytologic definition criteria with respect to those currently recommended, some clinical features are not randomly distributed worldwide, recent therapeutic approaches, such as anti-CD20-containing regimens, may improve outcome, and kidney, spleen, and liver involvement may show peculiar histopathologic features. Finally, a provisional practical diagnostic approach to hemophagocytosis-associated patients and a proposal for the most useful criteria in the settings of differential diagnosis are included.

Intravascular lymphoma: the oncologist's "great imitator"

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare subtype of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with a distinct presentation. Anatomically the disease is characterized by the proliferation of clonal lymphocytes within small vessels with relative sparing of the surrounding tissue. The clinical symptoms of the disease are dependent on the specific organ involvement, which most often includes the central nervous system and skin. Because of the various modes of presentation and the rarity of IVL, the diagnosis is often made postmortem. The diagnosis is almost exclusively made by surgical biopsy of a suspected site of involvement. Advances in imaging and immunohistochemistry have led to increasing antemortem diagnosis of this lymphoma. Although some patients with this disease may be curable with aggressive therapy, further research into novel treatment strategies is needed to improve outcome. Some potential insights into future therapies may be drawn from the small amount of basic science literature relevant to this entity. This review provides a concise, up-to-date summary of IVL.