Plasmablastic lymphoma occurring in ulcerative colitis during treatment with immunosuppressive therapy.

A 53-year-old man who had a history of ulcerative colitis (UC) for 2 years underwent colonoscopy as regular follow-up. The results showed an elevated lesion in the descending colon, which was diagnosed as plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) based on pathological findings. In situ hybridization for the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA probe was positive. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed rearrangement of the MYC gene. He had been taking prednisolone, 5-aminosalicylic acid, azathiopurine, and ustekinumab at the diagnosis of PBL and had multiple prior therapies for UC including infliximab, tacrolimus, and tofacitinib due to steroid dependence. PBL is a rare aggressive B cell lymphoma initially described in the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus positive patients and it is suspected to have an association with immunocompromised status of patients. The number of cases of PBL in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is extremely rare. All these patients were administered immunosuppressive therapy including thiopurines or biologics. IBD patients with immunosuppressive therapy have a higher potential for developing lymphoproliferative disorders. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of lymphoma, including PBL.

Immunohistochemical analysis using cell block technique leads accurate diagnosis of ovarian malignant lymphoma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Ovarian malignant lymphoma is a rare gynecologic disease and some patients show marked ascites, similar to that observed in advanced ovarian cancer. Although radical surgery improves prognosis of ovarian cancer, treatment of lymphoma is based on chemotherapy, therefore, differential diagnosis is crucial. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 65-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of abdominal distention. Pelvic ultrasonography showed an 11-cm solid mass in the pelvis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral (mainly left) ovarian masses in the pelvis and multiple metastases. Laboratory examination revealed that serum CA125 levels were elevated, suggesting the existence of advanced ovarian cancer. To confirm the diagnosis, the ascites was removed via abdominocentesis. Although no malignant epithelial cells were observed, atypical lymphoid cells dispersed in the ascites were detected in the cytological analyses. Thus, for accurate diagnosis, we performed re-abdominocentesis and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis using cell block technique. Cell block analysis showed negative staining for CD3 and positive staining for CD20 in large atypical lymphoid cells, suggesting the existence of large B-cell lymphoma. Repeat blood examination showed that the serum sIL-2R level was elevated. We decided to perform biopsy to make the final treatment decision. Histologically, the tumor demonstrated diffuse proliferation of large atypical lymphoid cells. IHC analysis showed CD3(-), CD5(+), and CD20(+). In addition, IHC analysis also showed CD79a(+), CD10(-), bcl-2(+), and cyclin D1(-). The final diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Here, we present the case of a patient with ovarian malignant lymphoma that was diagnosed using cell block analysis.