The higher prevalence of B-cell non-hodgkin's lymphoma in HCV-positive patients with and without cryoglobulinemia

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and is increasingly linked to a subgroup of B cell lymphoproliferative disorders. On the strength of epidemiological data, emerging biological investigation, and clinical observations, HCV appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in a subset of patients. Morphologically, HCV-associated NHLs encompass a variety of histological subtypes, including marginal zone, small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Remarkably, some HCV-associated NHLs are highly responsive to antiviral therapy.