A primary effusion lymphoma is a large B-cell lymphoma localized in the body cavities. It is always associated with the human herpes virus 8 and is characterized by lymphomatous peritoneum, pleural and pericardial effusion.
The PEL is most commonly found in young male patients diagnosed with HIV or pre-existing AIDS. There are very few cases in which PEL was not associated with HIV. In these patients, either advanced age or immunodeficiency could be identified for other reasons.
The signs of symptoms in PEL are malignant. The localization of ergo in the oral cavity has an influence on the symptoms. While dyspnea occurs in the pleura and pericardium, infiltration of the peritoneum results in distention of the abdomen. The malignant outcomes are accompanied by diffuse spread of the lymphoma.
The disease is particularly aggressive. In most cases, patients die as a result of the spread of lymphoma in the body, HIV-related complications or opportunistic infections. The affected people usually live for about three to four months after diagnosis.
The cause of the primary effusion lymphoma can not be unequivocally confirmed. It is known that it always occurs together with the human herpes virus 8. In addition, most patients affected by AIDS are immunodeficient and have been found to be infected with Epstein-Barr virus.