Plasmablastic Lymphoma Mimicking Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

Background. Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare B-cell neoplasm. It predominantly occurs in the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients and exhibits a highly aggressive clinical behavior. Case Presentation. We describe an unusual case of a 37-year-old HIV-positive male who presented with acute pancreatitis secondary to multiple peripancreatic masses compressing the pancreas. Histopathological examination of the lesions showed diffuse and cohesive pattern of large B-cells resembling immunoblasts or plasmablasts. The neoplastic cells were positive for BOB1 and MUM1, partially positive for CD79a, and negative for CD20, CD56, CD138, CD3, CD5, AE1/AE3, and HHV8. Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA in situ hybridization was positive. These features were consistent with PBL. The patient was initiated on cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy, demonstrating a striking response. Conclusion. To our research, this is the first report of PBL with the initial presentation of acute pancreatitis. The findings in this case suggest that PBL should be included in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic and peripancreatic tumors.

Hypertriglyceridemic Pancreatitis: Is Insulin Monotherapy A Feasible Therapeutic Option?

“…It is considered a relatively uncommon etiology of acute pancreatitis after gallstones and alcohol abuse [1]. Hypercalcemia, iatrogenic injuries in procedures like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), genetic mutations, drugs, infections, toxins, trauma, abdominal surgery, malignancy, and idiopathic are included among the less common causes [2-3]. According to one estimate, hypertriglyceridemia accounts for up to 10% of all the pancreatitis episodes while in pregnant patients, it may lead to pancreatitis in more than 50% of all cases [4].…”

“…Acute pancreatitis is a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas with a wide constellation of etiologies. Alcoholism and gallstones are the most common causes while abdominal surgery, certain medications, cystic fibrosis, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, infection, injury to the abdomen, and malignancy are among the less common etiologies [1-3]. Hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis (HTGP) is relatively uncommon with an estimated incidence up to 10% of all the cases [4].…”

A Case of Esophageal Plasmablastic Lymphoma With a Literature Review

“…A PubMed search was performed with the keyword “Esophageal Plasmablastic Lymphoma”, and of the five articles that appeared, only three cases have been reported to involve the esophagus [ 1 , 5 , 8 ], and we present this case as the fourth. Though the underlying cause is not yet completely known, data suggests that there is a relationship between PbL and immunodeficiency, and it accounts for 2.6% of all HIV-related neoplasms [ 9 ]. Moreover, it has been described in HIV-negative patients, and therefore, according to Lopez et al, PbL is classified into three groups based on immune status: HIV-positive patients, post-transplant patients (especially those of solid organ transplantations), and immunocompetent patients [ 3 , 10 ].…”

Acute pancreatitis secondary to cocaine use: a case-based systematic literature review

“…It is concerning that the underlying etiology of acute pancreatitis remains unknown in approximately 30% of cases even after extensive diagnostic workup [ 14 ]. Therefore, an updated knowledge of under-recognized etiologies of pancreatitis is crucial to diagnose and classify these patients [ 15 , 16 ].…”