Clinicopathologic characterization of diffuse-large-B-cell lymphoma with an associated serum monoclonal IgM component.

Recently, diffuse-large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) associated with serum IgM monoclonal component (MC) has been shown to be a very poor prognostic subset although, detailed pathological and molecular data are still lacking. In the present study, the clinicopathological features and survival of IgM-secreting DLBCL were analyzed and compared to non-secreting cases in a series of 151 conventional DLBCL treated with R-CHOP. IgM MC was detected in 19 (12.

Perception of hepatitis B virus infection reactivation-related issues among specialists managing hematologic malignancies: result of an Italian survey.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation strongly affects the practice of physicians dealing with hematological malignancies. In this respect, in collaboration with the Italian Lymphoma Foundation we developed a descriptive study of the real-life approach of physicians caring for patients with these diseases. A questionnaire was designed to explore the perception of HBV reactivation-related issues.

Use of interim [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography is not justified in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma during first-line immunochemotherapy.

In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the response to first-line immunochemotherapy remains somewhat unpredictable. Interim [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) (PET-int) analysis could be an important tool in the prompt shift to intensified regimens. We prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of PET-int carried out at mid-treatment with standard immunochemotherapy in predicting relapse in a series of 85 consecutive patients with DLBCL.

Role of radiation therapy in mycosis fungoides refractory to systemic therapy.

The long natural history of early stage mycosis fungoides (MF) makes its management a difficult problem. Skin lesions are sensitive to different therapies and a variety of treatment modalities have been used, such as topical nitrogen mustard, puvatherapy, UV-B, retinoids, radiation therapy, extracorporal photopheresis and systemic chemotherapy. For patients with refractory early stage MF, treatment selection is made by clinical parameters such as the age, sex and performance status of the patients, as well as the institutional expertise and the toxicity profiles of the different therapeutic approaches.

HCV-positive status and hepatitis flares in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with rituximab-containing regimens.

Background: Rituximab has provided a revolutionary contribution to the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). A high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been described in B-cell NHL patients. Cases of liver dysfunction in HCV-positive patients have been reported with rituximab-containing regimens.

Glucocorticoids and antivirals for HBV reactivation in onco-hematologic patients.

Patients with inactive or occult hepatitis B virus infection and onco-hematological malignancies are at risk of hepatitis flare, hepatic failure and death due to chemotherapy-mediated reactivation. Nucleot(s)ide analogues can reduce reactivation risks and/or hepatitis. However, immuno-mediated phenomena combine to determine liver damage and clinical outcome.

Low absolute lymphocyte count is a poor prognostic factor in diffuse-large-B-cell-lymphoma.

The prognostic value of absolute lymphocytic count (ALC), has been a recent matter of debate in non-Hodgkin-lymphoma (NHL). We assessed prospectively the value of ALC at diagnosis and also after the completion of immuno-chemotherapy in 101 diffuse-large-B-cell-lymphoma (DLBCL). Analysis of prognostic factors with respect to overall survival (OS), event free survival (EFS) and progression free survival (PFS) was done by two-tailed log-rank test.

Intrathecal anti-CD20 antibody: an effective and safe treatment for leptomeningeal lymphoma.

A patient with relapsed B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) infiltrating the Central nervous system (CNS) and resistant to chemotherapy was treated with intrathecal Rituximab (IT RTX), administered weekly for eight weeks at increasing doses, from 10 to 40 mg. After the second administration the patient showed significant clinical improvement and Cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) clearance of lymphomatous cells. A MRI scan performed after 30 days from the start of therapy showed full regression of lymphomatous infiltration.

Lack of specific association between gastric autoimmunity hallmarks and clinical presentations of atrophic body gastritis.

Aim: To investigate the possible relationships between gastric autoimmune phenomena and clinical presentations of this disorder, in consecutive atrophic body gastritis patients.

Methods: A total of 140 atrophic body gastritis patients, diagnosed as consecutive outpatients presenting with macrocytic or iron deficiency anemia, or longstanding dyspepsia underwent gastroscopy with antral and body biopsies, assay of intrinsic factor, parietal cells and Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) antibodies. Gastritis was assessed according to Sydney System.

Accuracy of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and staging of lymphoproliferative diseases.

Laparoscopy seems to be playing an emerging role in the management of lymphoproliferative diseases. The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze personal experience evaluating the role and limits of laparoscopy in the management of lymphomas. From July 1993 to December 2000, 131 consecutive patients were referred to our institution for primary diagnosis (group A, n = 70), suspected relapse (reassessment) (group B, n = 54), or staging/restaging of lymphoproliferative diseases (group C, n = 7).