BACKGROUND: Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that is responsible for 1% of all lymphomas not related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). PEL is characterized by human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) positivity in the absence of overt tumor burden that does not exhibit typical B cell or T cell immunophenotype characteristics. The exact mechanism of development is unknown, but it is hypothesized to develop from post-germinal B cell origin. Although it is most common in HIV patients, other immunocompromising comorbidities can be seen in conjunction with PEL, including liver cirrhosis.

CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 73-year-old HIV-seronegative man with alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis who was found to have T cell PEL of the pleural space diagnosed by thoracentesis.

CONCLUSIONS: Little is known regarding oncogenesis of T cell PEL, and few studies exist regarding appropriate treatment regimens for PEL as a whole, prompting need for further investigation and discussion to improve survival rates. Even in the absence of active HIV infection, PEL should be considered as a potential cause of pleural effusion in cirrhotic patients in order to prompt earlier treatment for the best chance of survival.

Keywords: Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic, Lymphoma, Primary Effusion, Pleural Effusion, Malignant, HIV Seronegativity, Immunocompromised Host, Liver Cirrhosis, Lymphoma, T-Cell, thoracentesis