Large B cell diffuse lymphoma

Keywords Disease name and synonyms Differential diagnosis Frequency Definition Clinical description Etiology Genetic features Diagnostic methods Staging Prognostic parameters Treatment Survival Keywords References Abstract Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLB-CL) are aggressive tumors accounting for approximately 40% of the B-cell malignancies. DLB-CL are commonly composed of a mixture of centroblast-like and immunoblast-like cells. These cells express typically the B-cell markers CD19, CD20, and CD22 and the surface immunoglobulin (sIg). DLB-CL are clinically and genetically heterogeneous tumors. The frequently reccurring chromosomal translocations t(3;14), t(8;14) and t(14;18) have been shown to characterize genetic subsets, which together constitute approximately 50% of DLB-CL. However, the genetic basis of the clinical heterogeneity of DLB-CL remains poorly understood. The median age of presentation is in the sixth decade, but the age range is broad, and these tumors may be seen in children. Patients often present with single or multiple rapidly enlarging, symptomatic masses in nodal or extranodal sites; up to 40% of these masses are extranodal. The most common extranodal site is the stomach, although most primary lymphomas of the central nervous system, bone, kidneys and testes are also DLB-CL. Approximately 40% of DLB-CL can be cured with standard therapy. However, 50% of patients relapse after treatment and die of recurrent lymphoma.