Hepatosplenic γδT-cell lymphoma associated with hepatitis B virus infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been implicated in the development of hepatocellular and hematopoietic malignancies. We describe a patient with chronic hepatitis B who developed hepatosplenic γδT-cell lymphoma. A 45-year-old woman presented with marked hepatosplenomegaly and hepatic failure during the course of chronic hepatitis B. Peripheral blood examination revealed57% abnormal lymphoid cells which expressed the γδT-cell receptor. The cytogenetic analysis of tumor cells showed an abnormal karyotype 47, XX, -13, +2mar in all 20 metaphases examined. A clonal rearrangement of the T-cell receptor genes was demonstrated by Southern blot analysis, showing monoclonal expansion of tumor cells. A liver biopsy specimen showed fibrosis of the portal areas and sinusoidal infiltration of tumor cells. HBV infection was documented by the presence of IgG anti-HBc and anti-HBs antibodies in serum. Although HBV-DNA was not detected in tumor cells by polymerase chain reaction analysis, there is a possibility that proliferation of γδT cells in response to HBV infection played a role in the pathogenesis of hepatosplenic γδT-cell lymphoma.