Intravascular Large B-cell lymphoma: A case series and review of literatures

Biomed J. 2021 Aug;44(4):479-488. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2020.04.005. Epub 2020 Apr 25.

Abstract

Background: Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with uncommon clinical presentations and poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to report the clinical features and outcome of IVLBCL in a single institution of Taiwan.

Methods: Ten patients with IVLBCL diagnosed from June 2006 to January 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: The median age was 61 (range 39-88) years. The most common presentation was fever (90%), cytopenia (90%), and confusion (50%). For all patients, the median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 12.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.0-76.1) and 18.8 (95% CI 0-59.3) months, respectively. Six patients received rituximab combined chemotherapy, and the other one patient was treated with chemotherapy alone. Six of seven (85.7%) patients achieved complete response after chemotherapy. The median PFS and OS for six patients who completed treatment were not reached. Three-year PFS and OS rates were 80% and 75%, respectively.

Conclusion: Our study showed that patients might achieve durable remission after rituximab-based chemotherapy. The outcome of IVLBCL patients may further improve if early diagnosis and prompt treatment were made.

Keywords: Hemophagocytosis; Intravascular large B-Cell lymphoma; Rituximab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse* / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse* / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rituximab / therapeutic use
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Rituximab