A Case of Primary Effusion Lymphoma in a Patient with Chronic Kidney Disease

Human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8)-negative primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is frequently observed in patients with chronic liver disease. We describe herein a case of PEL in a patient with chronic kidney disease. A 59-year-old woman presented with dyspnea. The patient had a history of uncontrolled pleural effusion. The pleural effusion revealed a malignant cell-dominant exudate. Serological tests were negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Initial chest and abdomen computed tomography showed bilateral pleural effusion; however, no evidence of a tumor mass or lymph node enlargement was found. A malignant lymphoma of diffuse large B-cell type was confirmed by pleural fluid cytology. Immunohistochemical staining of malignant cells was negative for HHV-8. She was treated with rituximab and CHOP (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisolone) chemotherapy. We report a case of PEL in a patient with chronic kidney disease that may be a plausible predisposing factor for HHV-8-negative PEL. (Korean J Med 2012;83:385-389)