EBV-associated, extranodal NK-cell lymphoma, nasal type of the breast, after heart transplantation

Mod Pathol. 2004 Jan;17(1):125-30. doi: 10.1038/sj.modpathol.3800040.

Abstract

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are predominantly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated B-cell lymphoproliferations. PTLDs of T-cell lineage are rare, mostly reported after renal transplantation and show less frequent association with EBV. NK-cell lymphomas after transplantation (NK-cell PTLDs) are very rare; only five cases are reported so far in the English literature, all developed after renal transplantation. We describe a case of EBV-associated, extranodal NK-cell lymphoma of nasal type, involving the breast in a cardiac allograft recipient 5 years after transplantation. The neoplastic cells are positive for CD2, cytoplasmic CD3, CD7, CD43, CD56, TIA-1 and p53; and negative for surface CD3 and CD57. Analysis of T-cell receptor beta and gamma genes fails to show clonal rearrangement. EBV studies show clonal episomal integration of EBV and latency II pattern (EBER-1+, LMP-1+, EBNA-1+, EBNA-2-). In conclusion, NK-cell PTLDs are rare complications that arise relatively late after solid organ transplantation, show strong association with EBV, and can follow an aggressive clinical course. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first reported case of NK-cell PTLD after cardiac transplantation and the unifying clinical and diagnostic features of NK-cell PTLDs occurring after solid organ transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / adverse effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / virology
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / drug therapy
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / chemically induced
  • Heart Failure / surgery*
  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / etiology*
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / virology
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Doxorubicin