Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Primary Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma of the Colon in a Patient With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract

Colorectal lymphomas of primary origin are rare neoplasms accounting for 3% of all lymphomas involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and of that 3%, 0.1-0.5% involve the colorectal region. Among the types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas involving the GI tract, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type. While extranodal involvement of DLBCL in the GI is common, DLBCL of the colon with Epstein-Barr virus positivity is a rare entity with only a few cases reported in the literature. Here, we present a rare case of a 53-year-old female with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who presented with generalized abdominal pain, weight loss, night sweats, and fevers. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed a mass on the right side of the colon with associated retroperitoneal and right inguinal lymphadenopathy. She later underwent a colonoscopy with a biopsy. Histopathology showed DLBCL of the ascending colon and chemotherapy was initiated.