Lymphoma with bladder involvement and renal transplantation

Based on the case of a renal transplant recipient who developed a monoclonal B cell lymphoma with plasma cell differentiation, arising in the bladder, the authors discuss the responsibility of intensive immunosuppressant protocols in the development of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative syndromes. The Epstein-Barr virus favours the development of these lymphomas. The bladder is a rare site. Diagnosis was based on endoscopic resection with immunohistochemical analysis. The prognosis depends on the stage at the time of diagnosis. At an early stage, resection of the tumour combined with reduction of immunosuppressant therapy may be sufficient, but more aggressive treatment is required for more advanced stages. Anti-B lymphocyte monoclonal antibodies (CD21, CD24) give good results, especially in polyclonal forms and Epstein-Barr virus primo-infections. Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies are currently being investigated and appear to be very promising. Conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy are disappointing.