Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: PTLD;
Overview
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (also known as PTLD) is defined as a B-cell proliferation due to therapeutic immunosuppression after organ transplantation. Patients with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder may develop infectious mononucleosis-like lesions or polyclonal polymorphic B-cell hyperplasia. In some cases, B-cells may undergo mutations which will render them malignant, giving rise to a lymphoma. The malignant cell clone can become the dominant proliferating cell type, leading to a group of B cell lymphomas occurring in immunosuppressed patients following organ transplant.
Historical Perspective
- Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder was first discovered by Denis Parsons Burkitt, an Irish physician, in 1965.
Classification
- Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder may be classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) classification system, into 4 subtypes:
- Early hyperplastic lesions
- Polymorphic lesions
- Monomorphic lesions
- Classic Hodgkin-type lymphomas
Pathophysiology
- Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder arises from germinal center or post-germinal center B cells (B-PTLD), which are normally involved the production of antibodies and durable memory B cells.
- The pathogenesis of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is characterized by the production of interleukin-10.
- The overexpression of bcl-2 has been associated with the development of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
- On gross pathology, characteristic findings of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, include:
- No remarkable findings
- On microscopic histopathological analysis, characteristic findings of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, include:
- Resemblance to large cell lymphomas
- Large lymphoid cells with a diameter (2x a resting lymphocyte)
Causes
- The most common causes of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is Epstein-Barr virus.
Differentiating Post Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder from Other Diseases
- Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder must be differentiated from other diseases that cause fatigue, weight-loss, and fever, such as:
- Infectious mononucleosis
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- Lymphoblastic lymphoma
- Blastic mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
Epidemiology and Demographics
- Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is very rare.
- The prevalence of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder remains unknown.
Age
- Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is more commonly observed among young patients.
Gender
- Females are slightly more affected with post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder than men.
Race
- There is no racial predilection for post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
Risk Factors
- The most common risk factors in the development of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is B cell neoplasm associated with Epstein-Barr infection.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
- The majority of patients with post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder are symptomatic at the time of diagnosis.
- Early clinical features include fatigue, fever, and weight-loss.
- If left untreated, patients with post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder may progress to develop organ failure.
- The most common complication of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is fatal infection.
- Prognosis is generally poor, and the 5-year survival rate of patients with post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is approximately 37- 61%
Diagnosis
Symptoms
- Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is usually asymptomatic.
- Symptoms of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder may include the following:
- Swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck or underarms
Physical Examination
- Patients with post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder usually appear pale and malnourished.
- Physical examination may be remarkable for:
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Persistent fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
Laboratory Findings
- There are no specific laboratory findings associated with post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
Imaging Findings
- There are no imaging findings associated with post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- The medical treatment for post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, includes: [1]
- Immunosuppression
- Antiviral therapy
- Interferon alpha therapy
- CD20 antibody therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder may regress spontaneously on reduction or cessation of immunosuppressant medication anti-viral therapy.
Surgery
- Surgery is not recommended for patients with post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
Prevention
- There are no primary preventive measures available for post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
References
- ↑ BioMed Central. EBV-associated post-transplantation B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder following allogenic stem cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: tumor regression after reduction of immunosuppression - a case report. https://diagnosticpathology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1746-1596-5-21 Accessed on May 23, 2016