Prevalencia y características clínicas y anatomopatológicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de linfoma difuso de células B grandes y positivo al virus Epstein-Barr en un hospital de alta complejidad en Cali (Colombia)

Abstract

IntroductionDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) accounts for 35% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and its incidence increases with age. Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is widely spread worldwide. There is a 10% association between EBV and DLBCL in immunocompetent patients; this type of malignancy has a high prevalence in Latin American countries. ObjectiveEstimate the percentage of association between DLBCL and EBV patients, describing demographics, clinical and immunological features, as well as phenotype and clinical outcome in a high complexity healthcare institution in Colombia. Materials and methodsThis is an analytic observational study from an historical cohort. Clinical and pathological records were revised among DLBCL patients and subsequent in-situ hybridization was performed for EBV detection. A descriptive analysis of the data was carried out. ResultsFrom 2011 to 2017, 55 DLBCL patients were identified. 16% were positive on ISH for EBV, most of which belonged to the non-germinal center B-cell immunophenotype (89%), with a nodal presentation (56%). DLBCL EBV positive was more prevalent among males (67%) and in younger patients (median of 48 years) where the mortality rate was 56%. ConclusionsDLBCL patients positive for EBV are more prone to belong to the non-germinal center B-cell immunophenotype which, according to our findings, is associated with a younger age and worse prognosis. Presently, EBER in-situ hybridization is not a part of routine tests, but we recommend its inclusion in the pathology package for DLBCL patients, as it can influence clinical outcomes.