High Grade Plasmablastic Lymphoma of the Eyelid in a Young Male

Abstract

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a subtype of a rare and aggressive, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is usually associated with immunosuppression, HIV, or Epstein Barr virus and with a poor prognosis. It is characterized by a loss of the typical markers of mature B cells such as CD20 and expression of activated B-cell immunophenotypes associated with plasma cells. We present a case report of a 21-year-old male, who is HIV negative, with plasmablastic lymphoma of the right lower eyelid, who underwent surgical resection and chemotherapy. Given the minimal accounts of PBL in the eyelid, the authors attempt to review the literature and cross match similarities with previous accounts of ocular involvement related to this malignancy. The authors believe that this adnexal malignancy in this particular patient is a preceding sign of a latent HIV infection which has not yet seroconverted.

Keywords

• Plasmablastic Lymphoma
• Diffuse B-cell Lymphoma