Infectious Agents and Cancer (Jun 2018)

Plasmablastic lymphoma in Malawi

  • Takondwa Zuze,
  • Matthew S. Painschab,
  • Ryan Seguin,
  • Evarista Kudowa,
  • Bongani Kaimila,
  • Edwards Kasonkanji,
  • Tamiwe Tomoka,
  • Bal Mukunda Dhungel,
  • Maurice Mulenga,
  • Maria Chikasema,
  • Blessings Tewete,
  • Asekanadziwa Ntangwanika,
  • Sarah Chiyoyola,
  • Fred Chimzimu,
  • Coxcilly Kampani,
  • Robert Krysiak,
  • Nathan D. Montgomery,
  • Yuri Fedoriw,
  • Satish Gopal

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13027-018-0195-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 4

Abstract

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Abstract Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) clinical descriptions are scarce from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where both HIV and EBV are highly endemic. We identified 12 patients with pathologically confirmed PBL from a prospective cohort in Lilongwe, Malawi. Median age was 46 (range 26–71), seven (58%) were male, and six (50%) were HIV-positive. Eight patients were treated with CHOP and four with a modified EPOCH regimen. One-year overall survival was 56% (95% CI 24–79%), without clear differences based on HIV status. PBL occurs in Malawi in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals and can be treated successfully with curative intent, even in a low-resource setting in SSA.

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