Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2012 Mar;136(3):333-8. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2010-0747-RS.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD20 / analysis
  • Central Nervous System / chemistry
  • Central Nervous System / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / therapy
  • Male
  • Skin / chemistry
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Vascular Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vascular Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Vascular Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Antigens, CD20