Epstein–Barr virus-positive DLBCL of the elderly is a type of large B-cell lymphoma, recognized in the WHO 2008 classification. It is usually CD20 positive, and has clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.
Biology
This type of lymphoma is not associated with immunodeficiency. Although reported almost exclusively in Asians, it is not confined to that population. The disease usually has an extranodal presentation, with or without lymph node involvement.
Morphologically, areas of necrosis are often seen as well as Reed–Sternberg-like cells. There are two subtypes: one with monotonous large cells, the other with numerous cell sizes as well as reactive cells, but different clinical behavior is not appreciated between these subtypes. Morphological differential diagnosis is Hodgkin lymphoma.
Median survival 2 years, 25% 5-year survival.