Clinical Importance of Differentiating Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Positive Plasmacytoma From Plasmablastic Lymphoma: Another Unique Case of EBV-Positive Plasmacytoma in an Immunocompetent Patient

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive plasmacytoma is a rare and unique plasma cell neoplasm that could arise in immunocompetent individuals. Given the molecular and immunohistochemical similarity of EBV-positive plasmacytomas to their significantly more aggressive counterpart, plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL), providers must distinguish between the two neoplasms. This case elucidates a presentation of EBV-positive plasmacytomas in a healthy, immunocompetent individual originating in the C4/C5 cervical neck region. The patient's clinical presentation, in combination with the surgical pathology from the mass biopsy, pointed toward EBV-positive plasmacytoma. Factors such as cellular proliferation rate, cellular atypia, and immunohistochemical staining help differentiate the two diseases. This case will further help providers in the oncologic world to identify these masses.