NK-cell intravascular lymphomatosis--a mini-review

Eur J Haematol. 2008 Jul;81(1):1-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2008.01089.x. Epub 2008 May 6.

Abstract

The majority of cases of intravascular lymphomatosis (IVL) is derived from B cells. However, IVL may also arise from T cells, or more rarely NK cells. The clinicopathological findings in six cases of NK-cell IVL (NK-IVL), including one new case, were summarised and compared with B-cell IVL (B-IVL) and T-cell IVL (T-IVL). Earlier onset of disease and female predominance were found in NK-IVL. NK-IVL was typically Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive, whereas EBV was rarely detected in B-IVL. Cutaneous manifestations were common in NK-IVL with constant EBV infection. B-IVL showed a more favourable prognosis than T- or NK-IVL. Irrespective of immunophenotype, however, IVL showed a less favourable prognosis than ordinary lymphomas within the same immunophenotype. In summary, IVL of the B-, T- and NK-cell phenotypes is clinicopathologically distinct and shows similarities to their more common counterparts, i.e. diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / virology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Vascular Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vascular Neoplasms / virology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents