Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Abstract

While the World Health Organization included Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) as a provisional entity of a lymphoma occurring in older individuals without any known immunodeficiency in 2008, it has since been recognized that this entity may occur in younger individuals. As a result, the 2016 revision has substituted the modifier "elderly" with "not otherwise specified" (NOS). The NOS highlights that there are more specific entities with neoplastic EBV-positive large B cells such as lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Diagnosis requires that there be no other cause of immunodeficiency and that other more specific entities with neoplastic EBV plus large B cells be excluded. We present the case of an 81-year-old woman hospitalized for generalized weakness, increasing confusion, unexplained weight loss, and intermittent fevers. Examination showed lymphadenopathy, lesions in the liver and small intestine, and a very high EBV viral load. She experienced a rapid demise and at autopsy was found to have EBV+ DLBCL, NOS.