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Primary effusion lymphoma

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Primary effusion lymphoma

It is a large B-cell lymphoma which presents as a pleural, pericardial or peritoneal effusion. There is no associated mass lesion or lymphadenopaty. Most cases arise in the setting of HIV infection. The prognosis is poor.

Cytologic diagnostic features

  • Dispersed large cells
  • Round or irregular nuclei, prominent nucleoli
  • Abundant basophilic cytoplasm (Romanowsky stain)

Flow Cytometry on a fresh sample confirms the morphological findings 

High grade lymphomatous effusion
CD20
CD3
Ki-67