Primary effusion lymphoma in two HIV-negative patients successfully treated with pleurodesis as first-line therapy.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) mostly occurring in HIV-positive patients. It is characterized by the development of effusion in one or more body cavities, with no tumor masses and a positive human herpes virus-8 (HHV8) status. It has a poor survival profile and no optimal treatment is yet defined. We report two HIV-negative, HHV8-positive patients with PEL of the pleural cavity who achieved a durable remission after pleurodesis with bleomycin and no systemic therapy. We also perform a review of the relevant literature regarding the clinical data, treatment, and survival of PEL in HIV-negative patients.