Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is considered an aggressive rare variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that has a predilection to develop in immunocompromised patients, particularly HIV-positive individuals. This report highlights the development of such a rare and aggressive malignancy in a 55-year-old immunocompetent male. It outlines the atypical clinical presentation and pathological features of this disease entity. Overall prognosis and response to chemotherapy differ in the absence or presence of immunosuppression. This report includes a summary of the epidemiologic, clinical, and immunohistochemical characteristics of PBL based on a comprehensive review of the reported cases occurring in immunocompetent individuals.
Keywords: aggressive malignancy; b cell neoplasm; immunocompetent; lymphoma; plasmablastic lymphoma.
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