Development of malignant lymphoma in myoepithelial sialadenitis (Sjögren's syndrome)

Nodal and extranodal lymphoproliferative disorders in Sjogren's syndrome: a clinical and immunopathologic study

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is frequently associated with both reactive and neoplastic lymphoproliferative disease. Over a 12-year period beginning in 1970, 21 of 138 patients with SS followed at two tertiary university medical centers had biopsies taken of enlarged lymph nodes (18) or extranodal lymphoid infiltrates (8). Many had immunologic studies performed on fresh tissue and all had paraffin-embedded tissue available for histochemical and immunoperoxidase studies. Eight of our patients had malignant lymphomas which were chiefly B cell neoplasms including two lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas and two follicular center cell lymphomas. The remaining 13 patients had either reactive adenitis (usually with follicular hyperplasia) or atypical lymphoid hyperplasia which failed to meet both histopathologic and immunopathologic criteria for malignancy. None of the nine patients with reactive hyperplasia has yet progressed to lymphoma, while one of four patients with atypical lymphoid hyperplasia progressed to overt lymphoma. Clinical features such as age, duration of disease, extent of lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, or parotid swelling failed to identify those subsets of patients with lymphadenopathy at increased risk for lymphoma. Recognition of lymphoma in two patients was greatly facilitated by tissue immunologic studies demonstrating focal areas of monotypic B cell proliferation. In one patient in whom the histopathologic diagnosis was immunoblastic sarcoma of B cells, tumor cells were L26-negative and strongly UCHL1-positive suggesting T cell differentiation. In three patients with relatively homogeneous extranodal lymphoid infiltrates, B cell polyclonality on tissue immunoperoxidase studies, and the absence of cytologic atypia, precluded a diagnosis of malignant lymphoma; none of these three patients has progressed to overt lymphoma. Our results indicate that (1) patients with SS develop a variety of B cell lymphomas and other lymphoproliferative disorders, and (2) the nature of the lymphoproliferative disorder is best determined by multiparameter analysis including immunologic phenotyping.

Quantification of plasma cells in labial salivary glands: increased expression of IgM in Sjögren's syndrome

Plasma cells expressing IgG, IgA and IgM were quantified in labial salivary glands from patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and compared with glands showing non-specific inflammatory changes and normal controls. In all glands the predominant isotype was IgA but in SS there was a significant increase in both the number and proportions of IgG and IgM positive cells (P less than 0.002). In particular, all SS cases contained greater than 10% IgM positive cells (mean = 26.8 +/- 15.5). The results suggest that accumulation of IgM positive plasma cells may be a specific finding in SS and support the concept that the glandular lesions may be a site of B-cell clonal expansion. Since most B-cell hyperproliferative states in SS, including lymphoma, are associated with synthesis of IgM simple quantification of plasma cells may have important diagnostic and prognostic significance.

Malignant Lymphoma of the Thyroid

Thyroid lymphoma is a relatively rare disease, but has attracted the attention of many investigators because of its putative relationship with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLTH). The definite diagnosis of thyroid lymphoma, especially the histologic distinction from small cell carcinoma or CLTH, has been problematical and even regarded as impossible during the past decades. Recent progress in immunological methods including moltxular biology have resolve'd many of the diagnostic problems in this field, thereby providing a scientific basis for approaching these diseases. In this review, we have summarized the results of our recent study on thyroid lymphoma reviewing the pertinent literature. Briefly, we have discussed the important role of CETH in the etiology of thyroid lymphoma; the histologic classification of thyroid lymphoma, with special emphasis on the rellatively high incidence of intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma; the B-cell nature of proliferating cells in thyroid lymphoma; the prognostic significance of the histologic classification Working Formulation and other clinical factors; local immunologic conditions in the thyroid affected by lymphoma compared with those encountered in CLTH alone and the positive role of aspiration cytology in the early detection of thyroid lymphoma.

Viral genomes in lymphomas of patients with Sjögren's syndrome

The recent isolation of a new member of the herpes virus family (Human Herpes Virus-6, HHV-6) from patients with lymphoproliferative diseases prompted us to examine biopsies from six patients with primary Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) who developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Five SS patients developed B-cell lymphoma and one developed a T-cell lymphoma based on immunoglobulin and T-cell antigen receptor (TCAR) gene rearrangements. In two SS patients with B-cell lymphomas, viral DNAs were detected, including: (a) Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA that exhibited an unusual pattern of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of the Bam M viral DNA segment; and (b) HHV-6 DNA in a second SS patient's lymphoma, with an RFLP similar to recent viral isolates from patients with other lymphoproliferative diseases. Viral DNA was not detected in the other four SS lymphoma biopsies. Also, all six biopsies were examined for presence of other viral DNAs (including CMV, HTLV, HIV and adenovirus) and were negative. Antibody titers to EBV-associated early-diffuse-antigen (EA-D), as assessed by ELISA method, and antibody titers against HHV-6, as detected by immunofluorescence and radio-immunoprecipitation assays, were markedly elevated in several SS patients with lymphoma and pseudolymphoma. These results suggest a potential role of EBV or HHV-6 in the neoplastic transformation that occurs with increased frequency in SS patients.

Lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma elaborating lambda chain paraprotein with amyloid deposition in Sjögren's syndrome

A woman presented with painful enlargement of her parotid and submandibular glands. She was shown to have the previously unreported combination of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Sjögren's syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, and myasthenia gravis. Parotid gland biopsy and bone marrow examination showed the presence of a rare lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma. There was amyloid deposition in the parotid glands, gums and on muscle biopsy. Immunohistochemical staining of the parotid lymphoma and amyloid was monotypic for lambda light chains, and there was also a lambda chain paraprotein. It is felt that the lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma was responsible for the light chain amyloidosis.

The expression and function of CD3 and CD5 in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

We studied the expression and function of 2 cell surface markers that induce T cell activation, CD3 and CD5, in 19 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The expression of CD3+ lymphocytes was normal, but CD3 function was moderately reduced, as measured by anti-CD3-induced T cell proliferation. Anti-CD3-induced stimulation of T cell help for Ig production and non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted (natural) killing were normal. In contrast, there was reduced expression and function of the CD5 molecule on peripheral blood lymphocytes of the SS patients. The ratio of CD5+ to CD3+ lymphocytes was 0.45 in SS patients compared with 0.85 in normal subjects, indicating that the CD3+ cells are relatively CD5-deficient in SS patients. Anti-CD5 monoclonal antibody did not augment suboptimal anti-CD3 stimulation of whole peripheral blood lymphocytes or of purified T lymphocytes from SS patients, which indicated impaired functioning of the CD5 molecule. A significant impairment in proliferation was found in response to phorbol myristate acetate and to ionomycin in combination, suggesting defective intracellular signaling. Findings from serial studies of individual patients suggested that normal or low expression of CD5 on T cells can be stable over periods as long as 2 years. However, in 2 patients who required systemic therapy, a correction of the CD5 lymphocyte abnormality occurred in association with clinical remission, which suggests the potential reversibility of this condition. Our findings suggest a possible defect in intracellular signaling in primary SS, related in part to the CD5 molecule, which may provide a molecular explanation for the T cell hyporesponsiveness that is characteristic of this disease.

Atypical lymphohistiocytic infiltrate (pseudolymphoma) of the oral cavity

In the oral cavity, differentiation between reactive and neoplastic lymphoproliferative lesions can, at times, be very difficult. We report an unusual case in which immunohistochemical findings were necessary to determine that the lesion was reactive despite the original interpretation of malignant lymphoma. The relationship of this lesion to atypical histiocytic granuloma, angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, and traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia is discussed and possible pathogenetic mechanisms are proposed. The value of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of extranodal lymphoproliferative lesions is emphasized.

Monocytoid B-cell lymphoma. Clinicopathologic study of 21 cases of a unique type of low-grade lymphoma

The morphologic and immunologic features of three cases of an unusual and distinct B-cell lymphoma were recently described and termed monocytoid B-cell lymphoma (MBCL) because of the striking resemblance of the neoplastic cells to reactive monocytoid B-lymphocytes. The morphologic spectrum and the clinical behavior of MBCL were investigated in a series of 21 patients. This study indicates that patients with MBCL usually present with lymphadenopathy and Stage I or II disease. MBCL also occurs at extranodal sites including the salivary gland. Because four of the patients with MBCL had Sjögren's syndrome with characteristic laboratory profiles, these results raise the possibility that there may be a relationship between MBCL and Sjögren's syndrome. Eight patients were male and 13 female (M:F = 1:1.6), and MBCL primarily involved the elderly (median age, 66 years). The most striking clinical findings were high percentages of complete remissions and long survival times indicating that MBCL is a low-grade lymphoma. Of 21 patients investigated, 18 were in complete remission at the time of completion of this study. Two patients died with the disease and one was lost to follow-up. Patients with localized MBCL may have a better survival rate than those with generalized disease. Like other low-grade lymphomas, MBCL can progress to a higher grade lymphoma of large cell type. Unlike other low-grade lymphomas, in MBCL splenomegaly, bone marrow involvement, and leukemic conversion are uncommon.

Primary B-cell lymphoma of salivary glands and its relationship to myoepithelial sialadenitis

A detailed morphologic and immunohistochemical study has been carried out on salivary glands excised from 20 cases in which the initial histologic diagnosis was either myoepithelial sialadenitis (MESA) or salivary gland lymphoma (SGL). The results have shown that these cases, except one that had been diagnosed as MESA, showed a spectrum of changes ranging from focal lymphoid infiltrates, designated as early MESA, through established MESA with dense, extensive lymphoid infiltration, to lymphoma. The distribution of the lymphoid infiltrate in early MESA was related to ducts and mimicked Peyers patches. In established MESA, this infiltrate became confluent with the formation of prominent epimyoepithelial islands. The evolution of lymphoma was characterized by an expanded population of centrocyte-like (CCL) cells that showed light chain restriction. Like other lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, to which they bear a striking resemblance, salivary gland lymphomas may remain localized for prolonged periods with a tendency to local recurrence rather than to distant spread. These properties may be explained by the histogenesis of these tumors from CCL cells that appear to be of similar lineage of splenic marginal zone cells.

Intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma of the salivary gland

Three patients had a painless mass in the parotid (two patients) or submandibular regions (one patient). These patients were 70, 66, and 65 years of age, respectively. One patient was male and the other two were female. No symptoms suggesting the presence of autoimmune sialadenitis had been noticed, although one patient suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Histologic study showed that small atypical lymphoid cells with slightly irregular and indented nuclear contours proliferated diffusely and secondary lymph follicles were distributed at random among them. These findings are similar to those that we recently reported for intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma (ILL) of the thyroid gland arising in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. A high frequency of ILL among our series of salivary lymphomas (three of nine cases) is discussed.

Clinicopathological study of myoepithelial sialadenitis and chronic sialadenitis (sialolithiasis)

To determine any overlap in pathological features between myoepithelial sialadenitis and chronic sialadenitis/sialolithiasis histological sections from 69 cases of myoepithelial sialadenitis (MESA) (n = 7) and chronic sialadenitis/sialolithiasis (n = 62) were reviewed over a 10 year period. Three of the cases with MESA contained calculi and four of those originally diagnosed as chronic sialadenitis/sialolithiasis showed epimyoepithelial island formation. The presence of calculi should not rule out a diagnosis of MESA, particularly in the parotid gland where calculi are uncommon; as the incidence of MESA may very well be underestimated and diagnosed as chronic sialadenitis, these patients, who are at increased risk of developing lymphoma, could be lost to follow up.

Systemic polyclonal immunoblastic proliferations

This report describes the clinical and pathologic features of four patients with a florid, systemic immunoblastic proliferation. The blood of these patients exhibited a mild to marked leukocytosis with a high percentage of immunoblasts and plasma cells. The bone marrow also was infiltrated extensively by immunoblasts. Lymph node biopsy specimens from two patients showed near total effacement of the nodal architecture by a diffuse infiltration of immunoblasts and plasma cells. The proliferative process was determined to be polyclonal with immunohistochemical techniques. Cytogenetic studies of bone marrow from two patients showed a pseudodiploid abnormal clone, with a translocation involving a break in band 14q32 in each case. The pathogenesis of these proliferative disorders in unclear, although three patients had some evidence of an acute immune disorder. One of these patients was treated with steroids, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide. Another patient was treated with steroids only, and one patient was treated with steroids and cyclophosphamide. All had rapid regression of the disease process. Two patients are alive and apparently free of disease 31 and 48 months after diagnosis. One died of sepsis. The fourth patient had acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and died without therapy. The biology of the immunoblastic proliferation of these patients is uncertain. The immunohistochemical results suggest a reactive, polyclonal proliferation, but the cytogenetic abnormalities in two patients indicate the possibility of a cryptic neoplastic clone.

Lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma: an immunohistological study

Eighteen cases of lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma (LPL) have been immunophenotypically characterized with a panel of 26 monoclonal antibodies. All cases expressed leucocyte common antigen, class II MHC and stained with B cell markers (CD19, CD20, CD22) although a variable proportion of tumour cells were noticed to have lost some B cell marker expression. There was some phenotypic heterogeneity with variable immunostaining with KB61, CD21, and CD5. A variable proportion of cells in all cases contained cytoplasmic immunoglobulin. Surface immunoglobulin light chain restriction was demonstrated in 11 cases and heavy chain predominance in 16 cases. Few tumour cells were proliferating as indicated by Ki67 immunostaining. A wide variation in number of macrophages and T lymphocytes were present in association with the tumours. A significant association between the expression of CD5 and the presence of peripheral blood lymphocytosis was noticed (p less than 0.003) but there was no association between CD5 and co-expression of IgM and IgD. This data supports an origin from non-germinal centre cells for LPL and suggests that CD5 expression by B cells may be related to lymphocyte migration. LPL shows some immunological heterogeneity and can present diagnostic difficulties, but its poor prognosis makes it an important category of lymphoma to recognise.

Low-grade lymphoma of immature T-cell phenotype in a case of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia and Sjögren's syndrome

A 19-year-old male patient presented with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia and Sjögren's syndrome, confirmed by histopathology. He was treated with prednisone; 4 months later, cyclophosphamide was added. A lymph node taken at presentation revealed no histological signs of malignancy. Lymph nodes obtained 1 and 2 years later exhibited an effaced structure and a diffuse infiltration of small-sized lymphocytic cells compatible with a low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The immunological phenotype of the lymphoma resembled that of immature T-cells present in the normal thymus cortex--positivity for CD1, CD2, CD4, CD7, CD38 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase; faint positivity for CD5 and in the second specimen for CD3; negativity for CD6 and MHC class 1 antigen. The occurrence of such a peculiar lymphoma in Sjögren's syndrome has not been reported thus far. Small numbers of putative malignant cells were found on immunohistochemistry in a lymph node and a lung biopsy obtained at presentation. This is suggestive of one underlying pathogenetic event in the development of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, Sjögren's syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Genotypic monoclonality in immunophenotypically polyclonal orbital lymphoid tumors. A model of tumor progression in the lymphoid system. The 1986 Wendell Hughes lecture

Molecular genetic (genotypic) analysis elucidates gene rearrangements within lymphocytes that are responsible for either immunoglobulin production in B-lymphocytes or the expression of cell-surface antigen recognition receptors in T-lymphocytes. Molecular genetic analysis is far more sensitive than immunophenotypic methods for the detection of small clones of lymphocytes because as few as 2 to 5% of cells in an infiltrate can be discovered to possess the same rearranged DNA sequences with genetic probes. In truly polyclonal proliferations, each lymphocyte reorganizes its immunoglobulin or T-antigen receptor genes in a unique manner, resulting in an almost infinite number of combinations of genetic rearrangement and the absence of any new hybridizing bands upon Southern blotting. In monoclonal proliferations, a new, homogeneous, nongermline band is identified on Southern blotting because a sufficiently large number of lymphocytes exhibit an identical genetic rearrangement. In a group of five orbital lymphoid tumors that appeared to be benign reactive hyperplasias by light microscopy and that were polyclonal by immunophenotypic methods, three were found by molecular genetic analysis to harbor small clones of B-lymphocytes with new rearrangement bands on Southern blotting. No clonal abnormalities of T-lymphocytes were found in these five lesions, despite the fact that they were the preponderant cells in the tumors. These observations suggest that "reactive lymphoid hyperplasia" of the orbit may be an unstable lesion, owing to a T-cell immunoregulatory imbalance, with the potential for developing clonal expansions of B-lymphocytes that nonetheless usually remain localized to the orbit.

Malignant lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

Lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract, salivary glands, lung and thyroid are grouped together as tumours arising in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. The great majority of them are of B-cell origin but distinctive T-cell lymphomas are also recognized in the gastrointestinal tract. These lymphomas tend to remain localized for prolonged periods but, whereas the B-cell group respond favourably to local therapy, the T-cell group are associated with severe morbidity and their overall prognosis is extremely poor. Accepted histological classifications of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are difficult to apply to these tumours. In this paper their morphological features are reviewed; recent findings based on immunohistochemistry and DNA analysis are presented; and the biological behaviour of these tumours is discussed insofar as they offer insight into mucosal immunological mechanisms.

Primary B-cell gastric lymphoma--a reassessment of its histogenesis

Primary gastric lymphoma, (PGL), is thought to be a tumour of follicle centre cell origin containing centrocyte-like (CCL) cells, and plasma cell components. The advent of novel leucocyte antibodies reactive in paraffin sections and improved techniques for the demonstration of immunoglobulin (Ig) in tissues has permitted a reassessment of the histogenesis of PGL. Our results have shown that PGL is a tumour of CCL cells with plasma cell differentiation in a minority of cases. Follicles were reactive, as defined by polytypic expression of Ig, in each case but selective invasion of reactive follicles by neoplastic CCL cells often led to a misleading appearance of malignancy. CCL cells bear close similarities to marginal zone cells which have been defined as a distinct non-circulating B-cell lineage. This could account for the favourable clinical behaviour of PGL.

Lymphomas of salivary glands

Primary lymphomas arising in salivary glands are very uncommon. The histologic classification of 40 cases of lymphomas in salivary gland tissue submitted to the British Salivary Gland Tumour Panel is reported, and, for 30 of the patients for whom adequate information was available, the clinical presentation, management, and outcome have been analyzed. Lymphomas in salivary glands represented 1.7% of all reported salivary neoplasms. The majority developed in the parotid glands of patients aged between 50 and 70 years. Only four cases gave a premorbid history compatible with sicca syndrome. In this series, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas predominated; 23 were Grade I, and 13 were Grade II. Treatment regimens were not uniform, but are outlined. Survival ranged from 5 to 111 months. Median survival for the group was 49 months. Prognosis was not influenced by the clinical stage of disease at presentation. Four cases of lymphoma arising in benign lymphoepithelial lesions are included. None had clinical symptoms of sicca complex. Prognosis for this group was found to be as favorable as the others.

Malignant epithelial tumours associated with autoimmune sialadenitis

Malignant epithelial tumours associated with autoimmune sialadenitis are rare in white races but occur more often in those of Eskimo or oriental descent. Ultrastructurally these tumours are squamous in origin, and they may arise from the epithelial component of autoimmune sialadenitis. The two cases reported are the first described in natives of this country, and in one, a case of parotid tumour, autoimmune sialadenitis preceded the development of undifferentiated carcinoma by 12 years; the other, a submandibular lesion, indicates some diagnostic difficulties that were found. This condition deserves wider recognition, as adequate primary treatment may result in long term survival.

Sjögren's syndrome. Proposed criteria for classification

The term "Sjögren's syndrome" (SS) is frequently used to describe the occurrence of keratoconjunctivis sicca and xerostomia in association with an autoimmune disorder. However, well-defined criteria for the classification of SS have not been established, and this diagnosis is being applied to a wide spectrum of conditions, ranging from clear "autoimmune" disease in some patients, to sicca complaints without evidence of a systemic immune process in elderly patients. Here, we review the clinical and laboratory features of patients referred for evaluation of sicca symptoms. In particular, we emphasize the need for care in choosing the site for minor salivary gland biopsy, and we describe the histologic features that aid in the evaluation of these biopsy specimens. In an attempt to identify a population of patients whose conditions might have a common etiopathogenesis and, thus, a common treatment program, we propose the following criteria for a diagnosis of SS: 1) objective evidence of keratoconjunctivis sicca, as documented by rose bengal or fluorescein dye staining; 2) objective evidence of diminished salivary gland flow; 3) minor salivary gland biopsy, obtained through normal mucosa, with the specimen containing at least 4 evaluable salivary gland lobules, and having an average of at least 2 foci/4 mm2; 4) evidence of a systemic autoimmune process, as manifested by the presence of autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor and/or antinuclear antibody. The diagnosis of "definite SS" would be made when all 4 criteria are met; the diagnosis of "possible SS" would be made when 3 criteria are present. Specific exclusions for this diagnosis are preexisting lymphoma, graft-versus-host disease, sarcoidosis, and acquired immunodeficiency disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Urinary monoclonal free light chains in primary Sjögren's syndrome: an aid to the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma

Three patients, two with typical primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and the third with several features of SS, including abnormal sialography and reduced tear secretion, developed B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of parotid or lung, or both. Isoelectric focusing of concentrated urine specimens in agarose, followed by immunofixation, demonstrated the presence in each patient's urine of monoclonal free light chains of the same class as that shown on the tumour cells. In one patient the level of urinary free light chains was monitored and found to correlate with disease activity. Similar techniques showed no monoclonal light chains in the urine from a further 26 cases of SS with no clinical evidence of lymphoma. The detection of monoclonal urinary free light chains may provide an early diagnostic clue to the development of lymphoma in patients with SS and be a means of tumour monitoring.

Benign lymphoepithelial lesion: a less than benign disease

The precise clinical correlate of the benign lymphoepithelial lesion is unclear. Thirty-six cases of benign lymphoepithelial lesions (BLL), reported to the British Salivary Gland Tumour Panel between 1971 and 1984, have been reviewed. Eighty per cent arose in the parotid gland and 20% were bilateral; 83% were in females and the mean age at presentation was 55.26 years. Only 50% presented with, or developed, symptoms of sicca complex, Sjogren's syndrome or related autoimmune disease. Two cases of BLL had, or went on to develop, extra salivary lymphomas and 5 cases of BLL had lymphomatous change in the initial biopsy. A further case had carcinoma within the benign lymphoepithelial lesion. None of those who developed lymphoma had sicca or Sjogren's syndrome but 3 of them had rheumatoid arthritis. The incidence of lymphomas (salivary or extra-salivary) in this series is very much higher than that reported in Sjogren's patients and amounted to 20% overall.

Immunocytochemical characterization of lymphocytes in benign and malignant lymphocyte-rich serous effusions

The cytological diagnosis of malignant Lymphoma in serous effusions can be difficult because reactive lymphocytes may be morphologically indistinguishable from malignant cells in lymphocytic and other low grade Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. As a result of the present study, diagnostic accuracy can be improved by means of B- and T-cell enumeration using an immunoalkaline-phosphatase method (IAP). 30 cytological specimens, including 28 pleural, 1 pericardial and 1 ascitic fluids, were studied with a panel of monoclonal anti B- and anti T-cell antibodies (PAN B, kappa, lambda, T1, T2, OKT4, T8). Reactive lymphocytic effusions were characterized by a predominance of T cells constituting greater than or equal to 80% of all lymphocytes with an excess of helper/inducer cells (mean helper to suppressor ratio 3.0) and by a surface kappa to surface lambda ratio of 1.6 on B-cells. Tuberculous effusions showed a similar distribution of lymphocyte-subpopulations whilst most of the carcinomatous fluids showed a lower percentage of T cells (lowest value 67%) and lower Th: Ts ratio (mean 2.0). Lymphoid cells in samples of five B-cell lymphomas were characterized by T-cell depression (less than 70%). B-cells in three cases expressed clear cut light chain monoclonality which was at least suggested in the other two cases. Lymphoid cells from two cases of Hodgkin's disease expressed an indistinct immunological pattern. Labelling of cytoplasmic immunoglobulins (heavy and light chains) using the peroxidase antiperoxidase method (PAP) may be important to characterize neoplasms of the plasma cell series. It is concluded that the chosen panel of antibodies in combination with IAP labelling method may be of great value in identifying B-cell lymphomas. The technique can be used in the routine laboratory and storage of unlabelled and labelled slides over long periods is possible.

Sjögren's syndrome in a child

Sjögren's syndrome is a relatively uncommon condition in the paediatric age group. The youngest child reported thus far was a 5-year-old girl. This article reports the case of a 2-year-old girl admitted for recurrent infections of the respiratory tract with diffuse pulmonary interstitial infiltrations and a progressive swelling of the parotid glands. The clinical features and the results of laboratory investigations, including parotid and hepatic biopsies, chest X-rays and sialography helped to establish the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome. Clinical, immunological and genetic characteristics of Sjögren's syndrome are reviewed.

Pulmonary lymphomas and other pulmonary lymphoid lesions. A clinicopathologic and immunologic study of 64 patients

Sixty-four patients with lymphoid lesions involving the lung were separated into three groups. In 32 patients, the predominant lymphoid cell population consisted of small, mature-appearing round lymphocytes with or without plasmacytoid features. This group, designated small lymphocytic proliferation (SLP), represents a heterogeneous group of pulmonary lymphocytic lesions including small lymphocytic lymphoma, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, and lymphoid hyperplasia (pseudolymphoma). Thirteen SLP patients were identified as having small lymphocytic lymphoma on the basis of monoclonality, progressive disease in other sites, or both. This group was morphologically identical to the remainder of the SLP patients, except for a higher incidence of plasmacytoid features (P = 0.003) and a greater degree of mast cell infiltration (P less than 0.05). Four of these 13 patients subsequently developed an aggressive large cell lymphoma resulting in death in three patients. The median survival for all of the SLP patients has not yet been reached. Patients in whom a monoclonal cell population could be established showed a slightly worse prognosis of borderline statistical significance (P = 0.09); however, the presence of a serum monoclonal gammopathy conveyed a significantly worse prognosis (P = 0.003). The remaining two groups of patients had various forms of malignant lymphoma other than the small lymphocytic type. One group of 12 patients, designated as having presumed primary lymphoma limited to one or both lungs (PL), had a prolonged course with a median survival of 117 months. The remaining 20 patients had disseminated lymphoma also involving lung (DL); DL patients had a shorter median survival of 33 months.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma arising in adenolymphoma--a report of two cases

Two cases of follicle centre cell lymphoma, apparently arising within adenolymphomas of the parotid gland, are reported. These are discussed in relation to the histogenesis of adenolymphoma and their possible relationship to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia identified as lymphoma of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue

The widespread interstitial pulmonary infiltration in two patients, showing the clinical, radiological and histological features of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP), has been characterized by histological and immunological criteria as malignant lymphoma of follicle centre cell (FCC) origin with plasmacytic differentiation. One patient also had malignant lymphoma of the parotid glands which had been present for many years and was previously considered benign (benign lymphoepithelial lesion). The other patient had a long history of Sjögrens syndrome. The lymphomas in these patients are presented as typical examples of malignant lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.

Follicular malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with pronounced plasmacytic differentiation: a plasmacytoma-like lymphoma

A case of follicular centroblastic-centrocytic lymphoma with an unusually pronounced plasmacytic component occurring in the gingiva and cervical lymph nodes of a 74-year-old male patient is described. Immunohistological analysis revealed a monotypic intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin pattern (IgM/lambda). The relation between follicular malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and extramedullary plasmacytome is discussed. In the present case the tumour may represent the development of an autonomous plasma cell clone within a follicular centroblastic-centrocytic lymphoma.

Intracellular J chains in lymphoproliferative diseases

The presence of J or joining chains has been studied in formol-paraffin tissue sections from various lymphoproliferative diseases. The percentages of J chain positivity in 56 cases of multiple myeloma, in 41 of immunocytic malignant lymphoma and 35 of immunoblastic malignant lymphoma were 58.9, 70.7 and 37.1%, respectively. The ratio of kappa to lambda chain types of the monotypic Ig-s was the lowest in multiple myeloma, intermediate in immunocytic and highest in immunoblastic malignant lymphoma (ml). In 8 cases (one local immature plasmocytoma, one non-secretory multiple myeloma, one immunocytic, 4 immunoblastic and one centroblastic malignant lymphoma), only J chains were present in the tumour cells--"J chain disease". A significant difference in survival of J chain positive (26.8 months) and negative (17.7 months) multiple myeloma cases was observed. Myeloma kidney lesions were slightly more frequent in J chain negative cases. In lymphoproliferative disease J chain seems to be associated with early events of Ig synthesis. On the other hand, in two cases with biclonal Ig-s, the IgM positive immunoblastic ml cells and inclusions and the IgA positive multiple myeloma cells and inclusions were J chain positive. The IgG positive cells in both tumours and the IgG positive inclusions in the immunoblastic tumour were negative for J chains.

Russell body-like inclusions in oral B-lymphomas

Two cases of oral B-lymphomas with numerous Russell body-like inclusions are described. One occurred primarily in the hard palate of a 59-year-old female with Sjögren's syndrome, and was diagnosed as lymphoplasmacytoid immunocytoma by Kiel's classification. The other occurred secondarily in the buccal mucosa of a 44-year-old female whose first affected site was orbital soft tissues, and was diagnosed as extramedullary plasmacytoma. The diagnostic problems and the nature of the Russell body-like inclusions are discussed based on the immunoperoxidase (PAP) method and electron microscopic study. The first patient is well without recurrence 19 months after surgery, while the second patient developed extramedullary plasmacytoma in the abdomen 5 months after surgery for the buccal plasmacytoma.

Extranodal malignant lymphoma arising from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

Four cases of extranodal malignant lymphoma, one each arising in the stomach, salivary gland, lung, and thyroid, are described. These cases have many clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features in common, and it is proposed that this is because they share a common pattern of histogenesis from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Clinical features of MALT-derived lymphomas include a tendency to remain localized for prolonged periods, and, thus, to be responsive to locally directed therapy. Histologically, this group of tumors is characterized by a noninvasive lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate within which foci of follicle center cells (FCC) can be seen invading epithelial structures, forming lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate lesions. Immunohistochemistry reveals monotypic cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (CIg) in the plasma cells serving to highlight the CIg-negative lymphoepithelial lesions. The clinical and histopathologic features of these lymphomas can be understood in the context of the behavioral characteristics and morphology of MALT.

Gastric plasmacytoma and multisystem autoimmune disease

A 54-year-old women with solitary gastric plasmacytoma, Ig M and kappa-light chain type, associated with multisystem autoimmune disease is described. The gastric plasmacytoma developed seven years after the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, primary biliary cirrhosis and Sjögren's syndrome. We speculate that this plasmacytoma developed in association with an immunodeficient and/or immunosuppressed state resulting from multisystem autoimmune disease and therapy.

An immunological study of germinal centres in four ophthalmic immunocytomas

Four ophthalmic lymphoplasmacytic/lymphoplasmacytoid (LP) immunocytomas with germinal centres were reviewed histologically and studied immunologically by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. In two cases a histological diagnosis of LP immunocytoma was made, while in the other two cases a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma could not be histologically differentiated with certainty from a pseudolymphoma or reactive process. Immunological analysis confirmed the diagnosis in the former two cases and led in one of the latter also to a diagnosis of LP immunocytoma. In the fourth case the development of LP immunocytoma out of a pseudolymphoma could be demonstrated. In the four LP immunocytomas the germinal centres showed a monoclonal pattern of immunoglobulin in one case, a polyclonal pattern in one case and a negative reaction in two cases. The role of germinal centres in relation to the development of LP immunocytoma is discussed.

Prelymphoma, early lymphoma, and manifest lymphoma in immunosialadenitis (Sjögren's syndrome)--a model of lymphomagenesis

The development of malignant lymphoma in myoepithelial sialadenitis with and without Sjögren's syndrome was investigated. At first, prelymphomatous proliferation areas showing a polytypic immunoglobulin (Ig) pattern were seen. These transformed into malignant lymphoma with a monotypic Ig pattern, at first in small, circumscribed proliferation areas ("early lymphoma") and later in large, confluent proliferation area ("manifest lymphoma"). The lymphomas were classified as LP immunocytoma. In some cases they transformed into high-grade malignant lymphomas of the same category, namely, B-immunoblastic lymphoma. The same types of lymphoma have been found in NZB mice and chronic graft-versus-host reactions. "Primary" malignant lymphomas of salivary glands that did not show myoepithelial sialadenitis were also studied. These lymphomas were mostly germinal center cell tumors and probably developed primarily in lymph nodes within parotid glands in most, if not all, cases.

Primary malignant lymphomas localized in salivary glands

Biopsies from 25 patients with primary malignant lymphoma in the salivary region were investigated morphologically and the clinical findings were analysed. Cases showing myoepithelial sialadenitis or Sjögren's syndrome were not included. The tumour was localized in the parotid region in 21 cases and to the submandibular region in four cases. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed on 21 biopsies and Hodgkin's disease on four: all patients were of stages I or II. The most frequent type of malignant lymphoma was the centroblastic-centrocytic type; sclerosis was found in all but one of these 15 cases. Polymorphic immunocytoma was diagnosed in two cases, centroblastic lymphoma in two cases and immunoblastic lymphoma in two cases. In eight patients, the lymphomas definitely originated in intraglandular lymph nodes; in 10 other patients, the lymphomas might have developed in intraglandular lymph nodes. It was not possible to determine the origin of the lymphoma in the other seven cases. The prognosis was relatively favourable.