EBV associated lymphomas in 2008 WHO classification

Pathol Res Pract. 2014 Feb;210(2):69-73. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2013.11.009. Epub 2013 Nov 28.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous γ-herpes virus that asymptomatically infects more than 90% of the world's population. The exact mechanism of EBV in oncogenesis is an area of active debate. However, EBV has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several kinds of lymphomas and lymphoproliferative disorders, including B-, T- and NK-cell derived. Subsequent studies have proven that the EBV gene expression product plays an activating and/or promoting role on lymphomagenesis, and paves the way for novel cellular therapies of EBV-associated lymphomas. This review concentrates on the pathology, morphology, treatment and prognosis of EBV-associated lymphomas in the 2008 WHO classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoma tissues.

Keywords: B-cell lymphomas; Epstein-Barr virus; Hodgkin lymphoma; NK/T cell lymphomas.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / classification
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / therapy
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology*
  • Hodgkin Disease / classification
  • Hodgkin Disease / pathology*
  • Hodgkin Disease / therapy
  • Hodgkin Disease / virology
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / classification
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / therapy
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / virology
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / classification
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / therapy
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / virology
  • Sex Factors
  • World Health Organization