Overview
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of the immune system. It develops from B cells, a type of white blood cell that normally helps fight infections. In PBL, these B cells transform into abnormal plasma-like cells (called plasmablasts) that grow out of control. The disease most commonly appears in the mouth and jaw area, but it can also affect the gastrointestinal tract, skin, lymph nodes, and other organs throughout the body. PBL was originally described in people living with HIV/AIDS, and it remains strongly associated with immune system suppression. However, it can also occur in people who take immunosuppressive medications after organ transplants, in elderly individuals with weakened immune systems, and occasionally in otherwise healthy people. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is found in the tumor cells of many patients and is thought to play a role in the disease. Symptoms often include rapidly growing masses or swellings, unexplained weight loss, fevers, night sweats, and fatigue. Because PBL grows quickly, early diagnosis and treatment are important. Treatment typically involves intensive chemotherapy, and outcomes vary depending on the patient's overall health, HIV status, and how well the cancer responds to treatment. Despite treatment, PBL remains a challenging disease with a generally poor prognosis, and researchers are actively studying new therapies to improve outcomes.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Rapidly growing lump or mass, often in the mouth or jawSwollen lymph nodesUnexplained weight lossPersistent feversDrenching night sweatsExtreme fatigue and tirednessDifficulty swallowing or eating if the mouth is affectedAbdominal pain or swelling if the gut is involvedSkin lumps or nodulesBone painBleeding from the mouth or gumsLoss of appetiteGeneral feeling of being unwell
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
6 eventsNational Cancer Institute (NCI) — PHASE1
The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University — PHASE1
Fondazione Italiana Linfomi - ETS — PHASE2
AIDS Malignancy Consortium — EARLY_PHASE1
City of Hope Medical Center — PHASE1
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableRylaze
RYLAZE is indicated as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) in adult and pediatric patients 1 month or older who have developed hyper…
RYLAZE is indicated as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) in adult and pediatric patients 1 month or older who have developed hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived asparaginase
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesTravel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Plasmablastic lymphoma.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Plasmablastic lymphoma
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Study on Plasmablastic Lymphoma Patients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasmablastic lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Study to Evaluate Combined Treatment of Daratumumab, Bortezomib and Dexamethasone in PBL Patients.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasmablastic lymphoma
New recruiting trial: A Study of Daratumumab and Dose-Adjusted EPOCH in Plasmablastic Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasmablastic lymphoma
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my plasmablastic lymphoma, and has it spread beyond where it was first found?,Which chemotherapy regimen do you recommend for my specific situation, and why?,Is my tumor positive for Epstein-Barr virus or MYC rearrangement, and how does that affect my treatment plan?,Am I a candidate for stem cell transplant if I respond well to initial treatment?,Are there any clinical trials available for plasmablastic lymphoma that I might be eligible for?,If I am HIV-positive, how will my antiretroviral therapy be managed alongside chemotherapy?,What supportive care services are available to help me manage side effects and maintain my quality of life during treatment?
Common questions about Plasmablastic lymphoma
What is Plasmablastic lymphoma?
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of the immune system. It develops from B cells, a type of white blood cell that normally helps fight infections. In PBL, these B cells transform into abnormal plasma-like cells (called plasmablasts) that grow out of control. The disease most commonly appears in the mouth and jaw area, but it can also affect the gastrointestinal tract, skin, lymph nodes, and other organs throughout the body. PBL was originally described in people living with HIV/AIDS, and it remains strongly associated with im
How is Plasmablastic lymphoma inherited?
Plasmablastic lymphoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Plasmablastic lymphoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Plasmablastic lymphoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Plasmablastic lymphoma?
Yes — 4 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Plasmablastic lymphoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Plasmablastic lymphoma?
19 specialists and care centers treating Plasmablastic lymphoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Plasmablastic lymphoma?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Plasmablastic lymphoma. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.