Pharma
World Lymphoma Awareness Day –Understanding Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders (PTLD)
Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder, or PTLD, is a rare form of lymphoma that can develop after solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.1,2 While it may not be widely known, PTLD can have a significant impact on some people after transplant.
This World Lymphoma Awareness Day, on 15th September, Laboratoires Pierre Fabre is highlighting PTLD to help raise awareness of what it is, why it can occur, how it may be recognised and where patients and carers can find reliable information and support.
What is PTLD?1,2
PTLD occurs after transplantation and involves changes in lymphoid cells, which are part of the body’s immune system. It can develop following after a solid organ transplant or haematopoietic stem cell transplant. PTLD is considered a form of lymphoma because it affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
Why can PTLD develop after transplant?3
After transplantation, treatment may reduce immune system activity to help the body adjust to the transplanted organ or cells. This may cause lymphocytes to grow abnormally.
PTLD is often linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In some people, reduced immune system activity after transplantation can allow EBV to reactivate, contributing to abnormal lymphocyte growth.
What are the symptoms of PTLD? 4,5,6
PTLD can affect people in different ways. Symptoms may vary depending on where the condition develops in the body and can overlap with symptoms of other conditions.
Possible symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, sore throat. As these symptoms can have different causes, people who have had a transplant should speak to their healthcare team if they notice changes in their health or have any concerns..
How is PTLD diagnosed?3
If PTLD is suspected, healthcare professionals may recommend further tests to understand what is happening.
These may include imaging scans and a biopsy, where a small sample of tissue is taken and examined. Other tests, including blood tests, may also be carried out depending on individual circumstances. These tests can help healthcare teams understand whether PTLD is present and what care or support may be needed.
The diagnostic process can feel unfamiliar, particularly for people already navigating care after transplant. Asking questions and staying in regular contact with healthcare teams can help patients and carers feel more informed.
Supporting greater understanding through ‘A Bright Journey’
At Laboratoires Pierre Fabre, we are committed to supporting greater awareness and understanding of PTLD.
Through our ‘A Bright Journey’ social media campaign, people affected by PTLD can access information and resources to better understand the condition, prepare for conversations with healthcare teams and find support.
This World Lymphoma Awareness Day, we’re raising awareness of PTLD as a rare lymphoma associated with transplantation and helping make information available to those who need it.
For more information about PTLD, visit www.ptld.eu for patients and carers within the European Union.
HQ--09-26-2600024 – Date of preparation: August 2026
References
- Engels EA, Pfeiffer RM, Fraumeni JF Jr, et al. Spectrum of cancer risk among US solid organ transplant recipients. JAMA [Internet]. 2011;306(17):1891–901. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3310893/. Accessed 14 Aug 2026.
- Kinch A, Baecklund E, Backlin C, et al. A population-based study of 135 lymphomas after solid organ transplantation: The role of Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis C and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtype in clinical presentation and survival. Acta Oncol [Internet]. 2014;53(5):669–79. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24164103/. Accessed 14 Aug 2026.
- Dierickx D, Habermann TM. Post-Transplantation Lymphoproliferative Disorders in Adults. N Engl J Med [Internet]. 2018;378:549–562. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1702693. Accessed 11 Sep 2026.
- Loren AW, Porter DL, Stadtmauer EA, Tsai DE. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder: a review. Bone Marrow Transplant [Internet]. 2003;31(3):145–55. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12621474/. Accessed 14 Aug 2026.
- DeStefano CB, Desai SH, Shenoy AG, Catlett JP. Management of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. Br J Haematol [Internet]. 2018;182(3):330–43. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29741774/. Accessed 14 Aug 2026.
- Gulley ML, Tang W. Using Epstein–Barr viral load assays to diagnose, monitor, and prevent posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Clin Microbiol Rev [Internet]. 2010;23(2):350–66. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/CMR.00006-09. Accessed 14 Aug 2026.
