Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with aberrant expression of CD56: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features and significance of aberrant CD56 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical and pathologic profiles of 10 cases of DLBCL with aberrant expression of CD56 were investigated. Immunohistochemical staining, in-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA and gene rearrangement for IgH and Igκ were carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 6 male and 4 female patients. The medium age of patients was 46 years. All of them presented with extranodal lymphoma involvement, with gastrointestinal tract being the commonest site (5/10). Histologic examination showed that most of the atypical lymphoid cells were centroblast-like and demonstrated a diffuse growth pattern. Apoptosis and necrosis were identified in some cases. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were positive for CD20 or CD79α and aberrantly expressed CD56. Five cases had the GCB phenotype while the remaining cases had the non-GCB phenotype, according to Hans classification. Bcl-6 was positive in most cases (9/10). All cases showed a high proliferation index by Ki-67. The tumor cells were negative for CD3ε, CD138 and granzyme B. In-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA was performed in 7 cases and none of them showed positive signals. IgH gene rearranged bands were detected in 4 cases (4/6) and Igκ was detected in 3 cases (3/6). Follow-up data were available in 8 patients. Two patients died of disease progression within 5 to 13 months after diagnosis and the other 6 patients were alive 8 to 60 months after therapy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DLBCL with aberrant expression of CD56 is rare. Most of them present with extranodal involvement, show high frequency of bcl-6 expression and high proliferation index. The patients often have good response to chemotherapy.</p>

Individualized leukemia cell-population profiles in common B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients / 癌症

Immunophenotype is critical for diagnosing common B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (common ALL) and detecting minimal residual disease. We developed a protocol to explore the immunophenotypic profiles of common ALL based on the expression levels of the antigens associated with B lymphoid development, including IL-7Rα (CD127), cytoplasmic CD79a (cCD79a), CD19, VpreB (CD179a), and sIgM, which are successive and essential for progression of B cells along their developmental pathway. Analysis of the immunophenotypes of 48 common ALL cases showed that the immunophenotypic patterns were highly heterogeneous, with the leukemic cell population differing from case to case. Through the comprehensive analysis of immunophenotypic patterns, the profiles of patient-specific composite leukemia cell populations could provide detailed information helpful for the diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and individualized therapies for common ALL.

Primary lymphoma of the spermatic cord: A case report and review of the literature.

Primary lymphomas of the spermatic cord are extremely rare. To date, only 15 cases have been reported in the international literature. Herein, we report a new case of a primary lymphoma of the spermatic cord. A 73-year-old patient presented at the Urology Department, complaining of bilateral painful masses at the inguino-scrotal region. A computed tomography scan revealed spermatic cord tumor. A right inguinal orchidectomy was performed in order to establish a definitive diagnosis. Macroscopically, the tumor was restricted to the spermatic cord area, leaving unaffected the testis and the epididymis. The histopathological and immune-histological evaluation has indicated a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Postoperatively, the patient was investigated thoroughly but no further signs of the disease were found.

Effect of chronic noise stress on mantle zone of lymphoid follicle of splenic tissue in albino rats

Noise is an ever growing problem in modern society. Apart from its effect on hearing, behavior, and mood it also has a potent effect on immune system. Therefore the present study was designed to asses effect of chronic noise stress on mantle zone [MnZ] of lymphoid follicle [LF] of spleen in albino rats. Two groups of twenty rats, each group labeled A and B were used; serving as control [no noise] and noise stress [30 days] respectively. Group B was exposed to noise stress of 100 dB for 30 day [3-4hrs/day]. Animals were sacrificed at the end of study, spleen was removed prepared, sectioned and stained with CD79a. A highly significant decrease in mean no of cell in MnZ of LF was observed [15747 +/- 87.82/mm[2]] in noise stressed group when compared with MnZ of control animals [16567 +/- 106/mm[2]]. There was also a highly significant increase in mean perimeter of nuclei observed in MnZ of stressed group [2.74 +/- 0.009microm] when compared with rats of control group [2.68 +/- 0.01microm]. Our study concludes that noise stress induced release of glucocorticoid can significantly decrease number of B lymphocytes in MnZ of LF of spleen in albino rats

Clinicopathological features of Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in elderly / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinicopathological features of EB virus positive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (EBV + DLBCL) of the elderly.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four hundred and ninety-six cases of DLBCLs were retrospectively studied by in situ hybridization (ISH) to detect the EBV in tumor cells, and by immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of CD10, CD20, CD30, CD79a, bcl-6, bcl-2, MUM-1, CD5, CD3, TIA-1 and Ki-67 protein. Their clinicopathological correlations were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 59 cases of EBV + DLBCL, 48 cases were EBV positive. The median age of these EBV + DLBCLs was 73 years with male predominance (1.4:1). There were 11 cases with nodal presentation only, 18 cases with extra-nodal presentation and 19 cases with both lymph nodal and extra-nodal involvements, whereas about one third cases with more than one extra-nodal involvement. Thirty-five patients presented with advanced disease (Ann Arbor stage III/IV). A performance status was available in 36 cases and 5 cases had performance status of more than 1. Seven of 30 patients were found with high lactate dehydrogenase value (more than twice of the normal). An IPI-score was calculated in 30 cases and 18 cases had an intermediate/high IPI-score (3-5). The median survival for these patients was 35 months. Morphologically, EBV + DLBCLs of the elderly generally showed a diffuse and polymorphic proliferation of large lymphoid cells with varying degrees of reactive components including small lymphocytes, plasma cells, histiocytes, and epithelioid cells. These tumor cells were frequently characterized by a broad range of B-cell maturation, containing centroblasts, immunoblasts, and Hodgkin- and Reed-Sternberg (HRS)-like giant cells. The study cohort was further morphologically divided into large cell lymphoma subtypes (n = 33) and polymorphic lymphoma subtypes (n = 14) and one case with mixed subtype. Immunohistochemical studies showed that tumor cells were positive for CD20 (47/48) and/or CD79a (45/45) in almost cases. Tumor cells were MUM-1-positive in the majority of the cases (44/47) and were stained for CD10 or bcl-6 in a few cases. Expression of bcl-2 and CD30 was observed in 80.0% (28/35) and 28.9% (11/38) cases, respectively, and most of the cases (33/39) had a high proliferative index (by Ki-67 with a 50% cut-off point). Compared with other EBV + DLBCLs, except the older age and low frequency of bcl-6 staining, no other significant differences were observed in EBV + DLBCLs of the elderly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EBV + DLBCLs of the elderly constitute a distinct clinicopathologic subtype of DLBCL, although many clinical and histological features with EBV + lymphomas are similar with that of younger ages. Differential diagnosis from other types of lymphomas should also be considered.</p>

Primary lymphoma of breast: a clinicopathologic and prognostic study of 40 cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of primary lymphoma of breast.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty cases of primary breast lymphoma, diagnosed according to the 2008 World Health Organization classification of hematopoietic and lymphoid tumors, were retrospectively studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed by SP method. The follow-up data were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) All the patients were females and the median age was 47 years. Unilateral and bilateral breast involvement were noted in 36 and 4 patients, respectively. The number of tumor were 31 cases (77.5%, 31/40) less than 3, and 9 cases (22.5%, 9/40) were 3 and more than 3. According to Ann Arbor staging system, 33 cases (82.5%) were in stage I to II and 7 cases (17.5%) in stage III to IV. The level of LDH in 9 cases (24.3%, 9/37) went up. For ECOG scores, 34 cases (85.0%) were 0 to 1 score and 6 cases (15.0%) were more than 2 scores. With respect to international prognostic index, 83.8% (31/37) were of score 0 to 2 and 16.2% (6/37) were of score 3 and more than 3. The axillary lymph nodes of 21 patients (53.8%, 21/39) were involved by the malignancy. (2) Histologically, 38 cases (95.0%, 38/40) were classified as B-cell lymphoma [including 27 cases (67.5%) of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 8 cases (20.0%) of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, 2 cases of follicular lymphoma and 1 case of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma]. The remaining cases included one case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma and one case of lymphoblastic lymphoma. Immunohistochemically, expression of CD20+/- CD79a were demonstrated in the 38 cases (95.0%) of B-cell lymphoma. The staining for CK was negative in all cases. In 33 cases, the positive rates of MUM-1, bcl-6 and bcl-2 were 57.6% (19/33), 30.3% (10/33) and 72.7% (24/33), respectively. Three cases were germinal center B cell phenotype and 21 cases were non-germinal center B cell phenotype. (3) Follow-up information was available in 37 patients (92.5%, 37/40). Twenty-three patients (62.2%, 23/37) were still alive and fourteen ones (37.8%, 14/37) died. For the 27 cases with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the five-year and disease-free survival rates were 48.0% and 36.0%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Primary breast lymphoma is a rare disease entity. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the commonest histologic type and the majority show a non-germinal center B cell phenotype. The level of LDH, number of tumor and international prognostic index are of prognostic significance.</p>

Immunohistochemical expression of CD20, CD43, and CD79 in Burkitt's lymphoma

Burkitt's lymphoma was reported as a distinct clinicopathological entity, it is a malignant and lethal condition that affects children between 2 and 8 years of age presenting as a massive growth in one or both sides of the maxilla or the mandible, in the molar-premolar region with loosening of the deciduous teeth or with premature eruption of permanent teeth. This study aims to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CD20, CD43, and CD79 in Burkitt's Jaw Lymphoma in relation to clinicopathological findings. Seven children [6 boys and 1 girl] aged 4-6 years old who were examined at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Anbar University and were investigated to correlate between clinicopathological findings of Burkitt's lymphoma using histopathological examination including imprint cytology, H and E and immunohistochemical expression of CD20, CD43, and CD79. The maxilla involved in all cases, the mandible in 2 cases, while the abdomen and viscera involved in 1 case only. The tumor cells showed lymphoblastic cells, with a uniform degree in cell size and cell maturity, darkly stained due to high content of ribonucleic acid [RNA] and cytoplasmic vacuoles due to high content of lipid and under light microscope; the tumor composed of small round cells interspersed with histocyte as starry sky appearance; while Immunohistochemical expression was done by evaluation of CD20, CD43, and CD79 expressions; The immunohistochemical staining using CD20, CD43, andCD79 monoclonal antibodies is a principal laboratory aids has a considerable value in the diagnosis and characterization of Burkitt's lymphoma, and they provide critical information for guiding clinicians to the appropriate treatment protocol for these malignancies

Morphologic diversity of plasma cell neoplasms / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the architectural and cytological variations of plasma cell neoplasms, and discuss the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Histological and immunohistochemical examinations were used to study the morphologic and immunophenotypic features of 46 cases of plasma cell neoplasms.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>40 out of 46 cases were diffuse growth pattern. 3 cases had a nestlike architecture that can mimic neuroendocrine tumors and 3 cases had a prominent fibrous sclerosis background. Amyloid deposition, calcification or ossification and angiomatoid areas can be prominent and may obscure the neoplastic plasma cells. Cytologically, 30 cases were composed of relatively mature plasma cells and can be recognized without too much difficulty. Tumor cells resembled immunoblasts in 6 cases and small lymphocytes in 4 cases. In another 2 cases tumor cells were easily confused with Signet-ring cells or clear cells. Tumor cells were composed of anaplastic cells, histocytoid cells and spindle cells in each one case, respectively. Lastly, tumor cells can be polymorphous which composed of multilobated, monocytoid or multinucleated cells in one case. 93.1% (27/29) cases expressed CD79a while only 5.1% (2/39) cases expressed CD20.87.1% (27/31) cases expressed CD38 and 83.3% (25/30) cases expressed CD138, 96.8% (30/31) cases expressed MUM-1. Light chain restrictions were detected in 38 cases, that 27 cases expressed lambda and 11 for kappa.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Except for the common architecture and cytology in plasma cell tumor, unusual morphology may appear. Thus, pay attention to distinguish from lymphoma such as small lymphocytic lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma, pooly differentiated carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma or Signet-ring cell carcinoma, sarcoma, etc. And immunohistochemistry is essential in the diagonosis.</p>

A liver-metastatic model of human primary gastric lymphoma in nude mice orthotopically constructed by using histologically intact patient specimens / 癌症

<p><b>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE</b>In recent years, incidence and mortality of lymphoma are markedly increasing worldwide. However, the pathogenesis and mechanism of invasion and metastasis for lymphoma are not yet fully clarified. It is mainly due to the lack of ideal animal models, which can precisely simulate the invasion and metastasis of lymphoma in the human body. So, it is very necessary to establish a highly metastatic nude mouse model of human lymphoma. This study developed a liver-metastatic model of primary gastric lymphoma in nude mice by using orthotopic surgical implantation of histologically intact patient specimens into the corresponding organs of the recipient small animals.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A histologically intact fragment of liver metastasis derived from a surgical specimen of a patient with primary gastric lymphoma was implanted into the submucosa of the stomach in nude mice. Tumorigenicity, invasion, metastasis, morphologic characteristics (via light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry), karyotype analysis, and DNA content of the orthotopically transplanted tumors were studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>An orthotopic liver metastatic model of human primary gastric lymphoma in nude mice (termed HGBL-0304) was successfully established. The histopathology of the transplanted tumors showed primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. CD19, CD20, CD22, and CD79alpha were positive, but CD3 and CD7 were negative. The serum level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was elevated [(1010.56+/-200.85) U/L]. The number of chromosomes ranged from 75 to 89. The DNA index (DI) was 1.45+/-0.25 (that is, heteroploid). So far, the HGBL-0304 model has been passed on for 45 generations of nude mice. A total of 263 nude mice were used for the transplantation. Both the growth and resuscitation rates of liquid nitrogen cryopreservation of the transplanted tumors were 100%. The transplanted tumors autonomically invasively grew and damaged a whole layer in the stomach of nude mice. The metastasis rates of liver, spleen, lymph node, and peritoneal seeding were 100%, 94.3%, 62.6%, and 43.5%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The study successfully establishes an orthotopic liver metastatic model of human primary gastric lymphoma in nude mice. The HGBL-0304 model can completely simulate the natural clinical process of primary gastric lymphoma and provides an ideal animal model for the research on the biology of metastasis and antimetastatic experimental therapies of primary gastric lymphoma.</p>

CD20 positivity in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma: Diagnostic challenge or targeting opportunity.

BACKGROUND: It is now well established that Hodgkin cells are clonal B cells with a CD30 and CD15 phenotype. However, on immunohistochemistry, in our experience and the experience of others, CD20 positivity in an otherwise typical classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma is not uncommon and if associated with CD15 negativity poses a potential diagnostic trap and is likely to be called B-NHL. OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of B-cell related antigens CD20 and CD79a in classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 91 consecutive cases of classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma were analyzed for co-expression of CD20 and CD79a. Both males and females of all ages were included in this study. All cases of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's Lymphoma were excluded. All the cases were stained with a panel of antibodies including LCA, CD20, CD79a, CD30, CD15, CD3, EMA and Alk. Protein. RESULTS: All 91 cases of classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma showed negativity for LCA and positivity for CD30. Eighteen cases (19.8%) showed distinct membrane staining with CD20 in most of the large atypical cells. However, out of these, only 7 cases (7.7%) showed CD79a co-expression, which was largely focal. CD15 negativity with CD20 positivity was seen in 7 (7.7%) cases of otherwise typical classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: CD20 expression is frequent in classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma and our results are in consensus with reported literature on this subject. In these cases, LCA negativity of large cells was extremely useful in clinching the right diagnosis.

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia: a clinicopathological and immunophenotypic study of 40 Chinese patients / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinicopathologic features of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) and to evaluate the usefulness of immunophenotype analysis in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the tumor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 40 cases of LPL with WM diagnosed according to the 2008 World Health Organization classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues were analyzed using immunophenotype and follow-up information.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mostly common initial clinical presentations were non-specific symptoms, such as fatigue, anemia and hemorrhage. Lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly were found in 42.5%, 20.0% and 12.5% of the patients respectively. The pattern of bone marrow involvement included mixed type (47.2%), diffuse type (41.7%) and interstitial type (11.1%). The nodal architecture was completely destroyed in one case and partially effaced with residual germinal centers and dilated sinuses in 8 cases. All of the neoplastic cells expressed CD20 and CD79a. Neoplastic plasma cells were positive for CD138 and CD79a. No cases expressed CD5. Four cases weakly expressed CD23. No significant prognosis related factors were identified in the survival analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LPL with WM is a rare indolent small B-cell lymphoma, which is commonly seen, in older male patients. The tumor frequently involves bone marrow and shows various clinical manifestations. Combination analyses of the bone marrow biopsy histology, immunophenotypic study and clinical data, especially the serum examination are important for the diagnosis of LPL with WM.</p>

Assessment of BIOMED-2 assays for detection of clonal Ig gene rearrangements in mature B-cell lymphomas / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficiency of the BIOMED-2 PCR assay and its implication in the diagnosis of mature B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical features of 72 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were studied, including 25 reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, 37 diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) and 35 extranodal marginal zone lymphomas of mucosa associated lymphoid tissues (MALT lymphoma and in addition, 25 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia were used as the controls). DNA was exacted from the paraffin embedded formalin fixed tissue blocks and the quality of DNA was assessed using the BIOMED-2 specimen control reaction. Adequate samples were then analyzed by BIOMED-2 for immunoglobulin heavy and kappa light chain rearrangements.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Adequate DNA was obtained in 83 of 97 samples, including 60 mature B cell lymphomas and 23 reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. Clonal B-cell gene rearrangements were detected in 57 of 60 (95%) lymphomas. In contrast, clonal Ig gene rearrangements were not detected in any of the 23 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BIOMED-2 assay is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of clonal B cell gene rearrangement using routine paraffin embedded formalin fixed specimens.</p>

Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of intra-abdominal non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma occurring in children / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemical findings, EBV and c-myc gene status of intra-abdominal non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma occurring in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-four cases of pediatric intra-abdominal non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma were retrieved from the archival file. The cases were classified according to the 2008 WHO classification. Tissue microarray including tumor tissues from all the 74 cases was produced. Immunohistochemical study (SP method) for CD20, CD3, CD79a, CD10, bcl-6, MUM1, bcl-2, CD43, CD38 and Ki-67 was performed. In-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER) and fluorescence in-situ hybridization for c-myc gene were also carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Amongst the 74 cases studied, 65 of them (87.8%) were Burkitt lymphoma (BL), 4 cases (5.4%) were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and the remaining 5 cases (6.8%) showed features in-between DLBCL and BL (DLBCL/BL). The patients often presented with abdominal pain, abdominal masses, ileus and intussusception. The ileocecal bowel wall and mesenteric lymph nodes were commonly involved. The lymphoma cells were of high histologic grade and suggested an aggressive clinical behavior. The staining for CD20 and CD79a were positive in all of the cases, while CD3 was negative. The positive rates of CD10, bcl-6, bcl-2, MUM1, CD43, CD38 and EBER in BL were 96.9% (63 cases), 95.4% (62 cases), 0 (0 case), 23.1% (15 cases), 70.8% (46 cases), 96.9% (63 cases) and 41.5% (27 cases), respectively. Fifty-four cases carried translocation of c-myc gene. As for DLBCL, the positive cases of CD10, bcl-6, bcl-2, MUM1, CD43, CD38 and EBER were 3 cases, 2 cases, 3 cases, 2 cases, 2 cases, 2 cases and 0 case, respectively. One of these cases showed c-myc gene translocation. Amongst the 4 cases of DLBCL, 2 of them belonged to germinal center B-cell-like subtype, while the remaining 2 cases were of non-germinal center B-cell-like subtype. The expression rates of CD10, bcl-6, bcl-2, MUM1, CD43, CD38 and EBER in DLBCL/BL were 5/5, 4/5, 0, 3/5, 5/5, 3/5 and 0, respectively. Three of the cases were positive for c-myc gene translocation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The majority of pediatric intra-abdominal non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma belonged to BL. They have characteristic clinical presentation and sites of predilection and are often associated with an aggressive clinical behavior. Thorough morphologic assessment, immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization play an important role in subtyping this group of lymphoid malignancy.</p>

Clinicopathologic study of 15 splenectomy specimens of patients with hairy cell leukemia / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and the prognosis of hairy cell leukemia (HCL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen splenectomy specimens of HCL patients were investigated retrospectively using HE and immunohistochemistry in correlation with the follow-up information.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The male to female ratio was 2.75:1, age ranged from 36 to 68 years with a median of 47 years. The most consistent clinical feature at presentation was marked splenomegaly (100%). Other symptoms included anemia (80.0%), thrombocytopenia (60.0%), leucocytosis (53.3%), pancytopenia (20.0%) and the absence of B-symptom. (2) The proportion of hairy cells was (14.6 +/- 7.2)% in periphery blood and (47.3 +/- 23.8)% in bone marrow. The positive rate of TRAP assay was 62.5% in bone marrow; 85.7% for TPA test and the detection rate for RLC was 25% by transmission electric microscopy. The frequency of bone marrow involvement was 100%. (3) The average weight of 15 spleens was (3012 +/- 1974) g. The size of 6 spleens ranged from 16 cm x 10 cm x 5 cm to 32 cm x 20 cm x 14 cm. The white pulp of spleen showed a characteristic atrophy feature or even absent due to leukemic infiltration, predominantly involving the red pulp with some sinusoidal pattern. "Blood pool" change was an infrequent feature (3/15 cases). The nuclei of leukemic cells were round (13 cases) or bean-shaped (2 cases), nucleoli inconspicuous or disappeared. The abundant cytoplasm and prominent cell border resulted in a "fried egg" appearance. By immunohistochemistry, leukemic cells were positive for CD45RA, CD20, PAX-5, CD25, CD11c, Annexin A1 and cyclinD1, but negative for CD3 and CD43. (4) 13 cases (86.7%) have been followed-up and all are alive. Among them, 9 cases are living well more than 5 years and 7 more than 10 years.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Splenomegaly is frequently the first manifestation of patients with HCL and occurred predominantly in the middle to elderly adults. Definite diagnosis of HCL requires a combined histological and immunohistochemical assessment of the splenectomy specimen, bone marrow biopsy and aspirate.</p>

Solitary plasmacytoma of spine: a clinical, radiologic and pathologic study of 13 cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical, radiologic and pathologic features of solitary plasmacytoma of spine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical, radiologic and pathologic features, as well as treatment and follow-up data, of 13 solitary plasmacytoma of spine cases were retrieved and analyzed. Immunohistochemical study using EnVision method for LCA, CD19, CD20, CD79a, CD3, CD7, PC, MUM1, CD138, IgG, IgM, kappa, lambda and Ki-67 was carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the tumours were primarily located in the vertebrae (including 9 cases in thoracic vertebrae and 4 cases in lumbar vertebrae). The male-to-female ratio was 3.3:1. The age of the patients ranged from 42 to 69 years (mean age = 56 years). The commonest symptom was pain in the surrounding regions. The degree of neurologic disturbance mostly depended on the extent of vertebral destruction and structural instability of the spine. Radiologic examination showed mainly osteolytic lesions in vertebrae. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the presence of heterogeneous intensity inside the involved vertebrae (low in T1 weighted and high in T2 weighted images). Histologic examination showed diffuse infiltration by malignant cells. In well-differentiated plasmacytomas, the tumor cells resembled normal plasma cells. In poorly differentiated examples, the cellular morphology mimicked that of the centroblasts. The interstitial stroma was scanty and contained plenty of vessels, sometimes with formation of blood lakes. Amyloid deposition was present in some of the cases. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were positive for CD79a and negative for CD20. Light chain restriction was detected in all the 13 cases studied. Plasma cell marker PC was expressed in all cases, while IgG was positive in 5 cases, IgM in 1 case, MUM1 in 10 cases and CD138 in 8 cases. Ki-67 index varied from 10% to 50%. All cases were operated, with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy given.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Correlation of clinical, radiologic and pathologic features is important in diagnosis of solitary plasmacytoma of spine. The possibility of multiple myeloma needs to be excluded. Early detection by radiologic examination, local surgical resection, post-operative chemoradiotherapy and long-term follow-up are prudent for successful management of this condition.</p>

Burkitt's lymphoma of the spermatic cord: a case report and review of the literature / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of primary Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) in the spermatic cord.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case of BL of the spermatic cord was studied by histopathology and immunohistochemical techniques. The clinical data and the related literature were reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patient was a 4-year-old boy, who was accidentally found with a bump in the scrotum. Surgery showed it to be a tumor located in the left spermatic cord and 5 cm x 3 cm x 2 cm in size, gray and fish-like on cross-sectional imaging. Histologically, it was characterized by monotonous infiltration of medium-sized cells with round nuclei, coarse chromatin, 2-5 basophilic nucleoli, and an appreciable rim of basophilic cytoplasm, in a typically starry-sky pattern imparted by interspersed tangible-body macrophages. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffused, positive for CD20 and CD79, some for CD10 and about 95% with the nuclear expression of Ki-67, but negative for CD3, CD43, bcl-2 and TdT as well as for EBER in situ hybridization.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Primary spermatic cord BL is extremely rare, highly aggressive and with poor prognosis. Diagnosis of the tumor relies on its pathological characteristics and immunohistochemical staining. It is essential to differentiate BL from other types of lymphomas and malignant small-cell tumors of the non-lymphatic system.</p>

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: report of two autopsy cases with literature review / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two autopsy cases of IVLBCL were retrieved from the archival file. The clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemistry and molecular findings were studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The deceased were 70-year-old and 50-year-old males. Both of them had complained of a sudden onset of weakness and numbness of lower extremities. The clinical course deteriorated rapidly, with multi-organ failure. They died 85 days and 44 days after the presentation, respectively. Post-mortem examination did not reveal any mass lesion, except the presence of multiple skin and epicardium nodules, ranging from 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm in diameter, in the first patient. Pericardial effusion, ascites and pleural effusion were also observed. Histologically, neoplastic lymphoid cells filled up the small vessel lumina in many organs, including brain, hypophysis, spinal cord, spinal nerve roots, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen, digestive tract, pancreas, adrenal, thyroid, testes and lymph nodes. The tumor cells were relatively monotonous and of medium to large in size with round vesicular nuclei and 1 to 3 small basophilic nucleoli. Immunohistochemical study showed that the lymphoma cells expressed B-cell markers CD20 and CD79a, occasionally positive for CD5 and bcl-2 but negative for CD3, bcl-6, CD10, CD30, myeloperoxidase and cytokeratin. In-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA was negative. The proliferative index, as demonstrated by Ki-67 staining, was about 80%. Molecular study showed the presence of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement in both cases, T-cell receptor-gamma gene rearrangement was not found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>IVLBCL may present as neurological disturbance and carries distinctive morphologic characteristics, immunophenotype and molecular findings. The prognosis of this disease is often dismal.</p>

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of breast: a case report.

Primary breast lymphoma is a relatively uncommon neoplasm, majority being of B-cell origin. Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is one of the common types of breast lymphomas. Though cytologic diagnosis of breast lymphoma is an easy procedure and provides guidance for appropriate pre-operative management, it is often impossible to differentiate a low grade lymphoma from reactive proliferation. A similar difficulty was encountered in the present case, a 42 year old female with a breast lump. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed a mixed lymphoid cell population. Lymphoepithelial lesions were identified histologically, and the majority of the cell population were confirmed as lymphoma cells of B-cell origin on immunohistochemistry. This case highlights the limitations of cytology and the importance of histological examination supported by immunohistochemistry for making a diagnosis of low grade primary breast lymphoma.

Mantle cell lymphoma: clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors of 102 cases occurring in Chinese patients / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors of Chinese patients with mantle cell lymphoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and two cases of mantle cell lymphoma occurring in Chinese patients were studied by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The follow-up information was also analyzed. The cases were classified as mantle zone, nodular or diffuse patterns and as typical or blastoid variants. Age, Ann-Arbor staging, B symptoms, hematologic parameters, histologic variants, mitotic index and immunophenotype were assessed for possible prognostic implication.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median age of the patients was 59 years (range: 30 to 79 years) and the male-to-female ratio was 2.92:1. Seventy-one patients (87.65%) presented with advanced stage disease (Ann Arbor stage III to IV). B symptoms were present in 45.45% of patients. The commonest site of involvement was lymph node (100%). The other involved sites included bone marrow (64.44%), spleen (63.16%), Waldeyer's ring (31.25%), peripheral blood (29.41%), liver (22.64%) and gastrointestinal tract (14.71%). All cases expressed B-cell markers but were negative for T-cell marker. Majority of cases were positive for cyclin D1 (94.12%) and CD5 (71.43%). Blastoid variant accounted for 24.51% of cases. Amongst the 68 cases with follow-up data available, the median survival was 10 months. Parameters associated with shorter survival included diffuse pattern, blastoid variant, high mitotic index, high proliferative activity and presence of bone marrow involvement.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors of mantle cell lymphoma occurring in Chinese are similar to those in Caucasians. Diffuse pattern, blastoid variant, high mitotic index, high proliferative activity and involvement of bone marrow indicate poor prognosis.</p>

Distinction between lymphoma-like lesions and lymphoma of uterine cervix: a clinicopathologic study of 26 cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of lymphoma-like lesions and lymphoma of uterine cervix.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data and hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides of 10 cases of lymphoma-like lesion and 16 cases of lymphoma of uterine cervix were reviewed. Immunohistochemical study for B- and T-cell markers and light chains (kappa, lambda) were performed on paraffin sections. The rearrangement status of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene was analyzed with semi-nested polymerase chain reaction in 4 cases lymphoma-like lesion and 4 cases of lymphoma of uterine cervix.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The age of patients with lymphoma-like lesion ranged from 24 to 54 years (medium = 43 years). The lesion generally presented with cervical erosion or polyp. Microscopically, it is characterized by focal or diffuse superficial infiltration of immunoblast-like large B cells intermingled with a polymorphic population of inflammatory cells, including plasma cells, eosinophils and neutrophils. Maturation of the transformed large B cells was also noticed. On the other hand, the age of the patients with lymphoma of uterine cervix varied from 28 to 78 years (medium = 58 years). Cervical mass or diffuse enlargement of cervix were the commonest clinical findings. The cases included 12 examples of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and 4 examples of follicular lymphoma. The former was characterized by a diffuse monomorphic population of large atypical lymphoid cells, while neoplastic follicles were identified in the latter. Neither polymorphic inflammatory infiltrates nor maturation phenomenon was found. The immunostaining for kappa and lambda light chains was inconclusive. Molecular study showed clonal rearrangement of IgH gene in all cases of cervical lymphoma, as well as 2 cases of lymphoma-like lesion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The distinction between lymphoma-like lesion and lymphoma of uterine cervix depends primarily on the clinical and histopathologic features. Assay for rearrangement of IgH gene may be helpful in differential diagnosis, though monoclonality can be detected in some benign lesions as well.</p>