Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma confined to body cavities and universally associated with human herpesvirus type 8 infection. The prognosis of this entity remains poor, with a median survival time of 6 to 9 months. To better understand the clinicopathologic features of the disease and identify possible prognostic factors, we performed a systematic review of the literature for cases of PEL, including 2 previously unreported cases from our institution. PEL was more prevalent in men (92%), with a median age at diagnosis of 55 years. The median overall survival for the entire series was 6 months. Peritoneal involvement (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.06–2.48) and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (HR:2.50; 95% CI:1.21–5.19) were associated with higher risk of death, while pericardial involvement (HR:0.43; 95% CI:0.20–0.94) was associated with lower risk of death. Therefore, effusion site and serum LDH levels are potential prognostic factors in patients with PEL.

原发性渗出性淋巴瘤（PEL）是一种侵袭性B细胞淋巴瘤，仅局限于体腔且普遍与8型人类疱疹病毒感染相关。该实体的预后仍然很差，中位生存时间为6到9个月。为了更好地了解该疾病的临床病理特征并确定可能的预后因素，我们对PEL病例的文献进行了系统的综述，包括本机构2例以前未报告的病例。PEL在男性中更为普遍（92％），诊断中位年龄为55岁。整个系列的中位总生存期为6个月。腹膜受累（HR：1.62； 95％CI：1.06-2.48）和血清乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）水平升高（HR：2.50； 95％CI：1.21-5.19）与更高的死亡风险相关，而心包受累（HR） ：0.43； 95％CI：0。20-0.94）与较低的死亡风险相关。因此，积液部位和血清LDH水平是PEL患者的潜在预后因素。