Plasmablastic lymphoma versus plasmablastic myeloma: an ongoing diagnostic dilemma

Abstract

The distinction between plasmablastic lymphoma from plasmablastic myeloma warrants detailed knowledge of clinical, radiological and laboratorial findings. New studies identifying distinctive phenotypical or genetic features are needed to improve the histopathological differentiation of plasmablastic neoplasms.

Extraoral plasmablastic lymphomas in a high human immunodeficiency virus endemic area

“…The relationship of PBL with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) showing terminal plasma cell differentiation and extramedullary plasma cell tumours (PCTs) remains a diagnostic challenge. Reports have described similarities in clinical presentation, morphological appearances, and immunophenotypes; however, this distinction is significant, because the different entities vary in clinical course, prognosis, and management requirements . The presence of EBV‐encoded RNA significantly favours a PBL diagnosis (50–75%), although studies have shown that both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals may develop EBV‐driven extramedullary PCTs and DLBCLs .…”

“…Reports have described similarities in clinical presentation, morphological appearances, and immunophenotypes; however, this distinction is significant, because the different entities vary in clinical course, prognosis, and management requirements. [8][9][10] The presence of EBV-encoded RNA significantly favours a PBL diagnosis (50-75%), although studies have shown that both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals may develop EBV-driven extramedullary PCTs and DLBCLs. 11,12 However, these tumours are restricted to single case reports and small series, are usually well differentiated, and are not truly plasmablastic.…”

Clinicopathological analysis of oral plasmablastic lymphoma: A systematic review

“…The etiology of PBL is unclear, but the importance of the Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is frequently speculated, as it is detected in 78% of cases . Moreover, due to the low incidence of this malignancy, very little is understood regarding PBL prognostic features, especially when it is diagnosed in the oral and maxillofacial region, impairing that a more appropriate therapeutic management can be applied for these patients .…”

An unusual case of plasmablastic lymphoma presenting as dermatomyositis

“…The diagnosis of this disease is difficult not only due to its unique immunophenotype but also due to several overlapping morphological and phenotypical features with plasmacytoma, plasmablastic myeloma, or diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Although there may be several distinguishing features that aid in differentiating these lymphoid tumors, a specific histopathological diagnosis is not always straightforward . Importantly, clinical correlation such as the presence of lymphadenopathy may favor the diagnosis of plasmablastic lymphoma over a plasma cell neoplasm and the presence of end‐organ damage; that is, CRAB criteria or plasma paraprotein may be more suggestive of multiple myeloma …”