primary effusion lymphoma
HHV-8-associated primary effusion lymphoma, PEL
Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an uncommon large cell lymphoma, usually seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients.
PEL is characterized by various clinical, histomorphologic, and immunophenotypical features, and is associated with the human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8).
PEL may present as either a body cavity-based lymphomatous effusion or a solid tumor mass. Most so-called "solid PEL" usually have an extranodal location; exceptionally rarely, they occur in lymph nodes.
The majority of PEL consist of malignant cells of B-cell genotype; seldom they are of T-cell origin.
Localization
serous cavities
lymph node (solid PEL) (15832089)
Differential diagnosis
anaplastic large cell lymphoma (15105661)