Epstein-Barr virus-associated extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type ofthe hypopharynx, in a renal allograft recipient: Case report and review ofliterature

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLPDs) are predominantly B-c ell lymphoproliferations, whereas a T-cell origin is rarely observed. In co ntrast to B-cell PTLPD, T-cell PTLPDs show an inconsistent association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Until now, only 13 cases of EBV-associated T-cel l PTLPDs have been reported. We describe a case of an EBV-associated T-cell PTLPD in a renal allograft recipient 2 years after transplantation. Histol ogic examination showed medium- to large-sized lymphoid cells with an angio centric growth pattern and necrosis. The atypical cells showed a CD2+, CD3 epsilon+, CD7+, CD43+, CD45R0+, CD56+, and CD4-, CD5-, CD8- beta F1- phenot ype with expression of the latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 of EBV. In addit ion, EBV-specific RNAs (EBER 1/2) were identified by in situ hybridization. Molecular analysis of the T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma chain by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed a polyclonal pattern. The morphologic, immunohi stochemical, and molecular findings were consistent with a diagnosis of an EBV-associated extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell non-Hodgkin, pe. To ou r knowledge, this is the first lymphoma (NHL) of nasal ty reported case of this rare entity in the posttransplant setting. Hum PATHOL 32:1264-1268. Co pyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.