Primary cardiac lymphoma. No evidence for an etiologic association with Epstein-Barr virus
Ito, M.; Nakagawa, A.; Tsuzuki, T.; Yokoi, T.; Yamashita, Y.; Asai, J.
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 120(6): 555-559
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9985 PMID: 8651857 Document Number: 467881
Objectives.-To report two cases of primary cardiac lymphoma, a rare extranodal lymphoma with an unknown pathogenesis, and to compare them to secondary B-cell cardiac lymphoma. Design.-Clinicopathologic features are described, using histologic and immunophenotypic examinations. The Epstein-Barr virus genome is detected by in situ hybridization. Patients.-Of 80 autopsied cases of malignant lymphoma identified at Nagoya (Japan) University Hospital, two patients with primary cardiac lymphoma and five patients with secondary cardiac B-cell lymphoma were selected. Results.-None of the seven selected cases showed immunodeficiency, autoimmune disorders, or chronic inflammatory processes. Primary cardiac lymphomas had B-cell phenotypes with mu and lambda chain monoclonality. Immunostaining for Epstein-Barr virus (latent membrane protein-1) and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA-1 in situ hybridization did not demonstrate an association of these lymphoma with Epstein-Barr virus infection. The majority of secondary cardiac B-cell lymphomas were extranodal lymphomas and extranodal or serosal involvement was more prominent than nodal involvement. Conclusion.-These findings suggest that primary cardiac lymphoma, unlike pyothorax-associated pleural lymphoma, appears to have no association with chronic inflammation or Epstein-Barr virus infection.