IgG4-related meningeal disease: clinico-pathological features and proposal for diagnostic criteria

IgG4-related disease has evolved from originally being recognized as a form of pancreatitis to encompass diseases of numerous organs including the hypophysis and one reported case of dural involvement. A search of the University of Virginia, Division of Neuropathology files for 10 years identified ten cases of unexplained lymphoplasmacytic meningeal inflammation that we then evaluated using immunohistochemical stains for IgG4 and IgG. Ten control cases including sarcoidosis (4), tuberculosis (1), bacterial abscess (2), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (2), and foreign body reaction (1) were also examined. The number of IgG4-positive plasma cells was counted in five high power fields (HPFs) and an average per HPF was calculated. Cases that contained greater than ten IgG4-positive cells/HPF were considered to be IgG4-related. Five of the study cases met these criteria, including one case of leptomeningeal inflammation. All cases exhibited the typical histological features of IgG4-related disease including lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, fibrosis, and phlebitis. The dural-based lesions appear to represent a subset of the cases historically diagnosed as idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis. While the leptomeningeal process most closely resembles non-vasculitic autoimmune inflammatory meningoencephalitis. Given these findings, IgG4-related meningitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of meningeal inflammatory lesions after stringent clinical and histologic criteria are used to rule out other possible diagnoses.

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease involving the pituitary gland

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are heterogeneous lesions with variable morphology, immunophenotype, and molecular characteristics. Multiple distinct primary lesions can occur in PTLD, rarely with both B-cell and T-cell characteristics. Lesions can involve both grafted organs and other sites; however, PTLD involving the pituitary gland has not been previously reported. We describe a patient who developed Epstein-Barr virus-negative PTLD 13 years posttransplantation involving the terminal ileum and pituitary, which was simultaneously involved by a pituitary adenoma. Immunohistochemistry of the pituitary lesion showed expression of CD79a, CD3, and CD7 with clonal rearrangements of both T-cell receptor gamma chain (TRG@) and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH@) genes. The terminal ileal lesion was immunophenotypically and molecularly distinct. This is the first report of pituitary PTLD and illustrates the potentially complex nature of PTLD.

Primary nasopharyngeal interdigitating dendritic cell tumor presentation and response to radiation therapy

We report the case of a primary nasopharyngeal interdigitating dendritic cell tumor (IDDCT). A 25-year old male presented with bilateral decreased hearing, double vision, and ataxia. Flexible nasopharyngoscopy reviewed a large mass obstructing and filling the entire nasopharynx. MRI and PET-CT confirmed the presence of the primary tumor and demonstrated bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Biopsy of the nasopharynx revealed a hematolymphoid neoplasm with dendritic cell differentiation, most consistent with an IDDCT. The lesion was unresectable. The patient was treated with definitive radiotherapy to 66 Gy to the primary tumor and 50 Gy to the bilateral cervical lymphatics using an IMRT technique. A complete response was achieved and the patient remains disease free at the primary site 23 months after completion of radiotherapy.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma occurring with a melanocytic proliferation, masquerading as a nonhealing ulcer with reactive changes

Two of the most challenging areas in dermatopathology are lymphoproliferative disorders and melanocytic lesions. We present a case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma occurring with an intradermal melanocytic proliferation. A 63-year-old Caucasian man presented with a 12-cm edematous, erythematous to violaceous, scalp ulceration that had enlarged over six months. Previous biopsies showed reactive changes which were concerning for infection. The last biopsies showed small to intermediate sized, angulated cells with clear cytoplasm within the dermis, with extension into the epidermis. These cells stained positive with markers for CD3, CD45RO and CD43, yet showed decreased expression of pan-T-cell markers CD5 and CD7, and absent expression of CD4, CD8, CD56 and CD57 and EBV. Molecular studies showed a clonal T-cell receptor gamma chain gene rearrangement. The diagnosis was peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified. Another biopsy from an indurated area separate from the ulcer showed scattered, enlarged cells embedded in the same lymphocytic infiltrate. No mitotic figures were identified. These cells stained for S100 and Melan-A, in a partly nested arrangement. This was felt to represent a melanocytic nevus. This case likely represents an extraordinary coincidence of two distinctly different neoplasms.

Rituximab-CD20 Complexes Are Shaved from Z138 Mantle Cell Lymphoma Cells in Intravenous and Subcutaneous SCID Mouse Models

Infusion of standard-dose rituximab (RTX) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients promotes rapid complement activation and deposition of C3 fragments on CLL B cells. However, immediately after RTX infusions, there is substantial loss (shaving) of CD20 from circulating malignant cells. Because shaving can compromise efficacies of anticancer immunotherapeutic mAbs, we investigated whether shaving occurs in SCID mouse models. Z138 cells, a B cell line derived from human mantle cell lymphoma, were infused i.v. or s.c. The i.v. model recapitulates findings we previously reported for therapeutic RTX in CLL: i.v. infused RTX rapidly binds to Z138 cells in lungs, and binding is accompanied by deposition of C3 fragments. However, within 1 h targeted cells lose bound RTX and CD20, and these shaved cells are still demonstrable 40 h after RTX infusion. Z138 cells grow in tumors at s.c. injection sites, and infusion of large amounts of RTX (0.50 mg on each of 4 days) leads to considerable loss of CD20 from these cells. Human i.v. Ig blocked shaving, suggesting that FcgammaRI on cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system promote shaving. Examination of frozen tumor sections from treated mice by immunofluorescence revealed large areas of B cells devoid of CD20, with CD20 intact in adjacent areas; it is likely that RTX had opsonized Z138 cells closest to capillaries, and these cells were shaved by monocyte/macrophages. The shaving reaction occurs in neoplastic B cells in tissue and in peripheral blood, and strategies to enhance therapeutic targeting and block shaving are under development.

Follicular Lymphoma of the Dura

OBJECTIVE:

We present an unusual dural-based follicular lymphoma with radiological and macroscopic features similar to a meningioma. The unusual location of this tumor and its distinction from meningioma, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-type marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the dura, and intraparenchymal central nervous system lymphoma, dramatically alters the patient's postoperative treatment. The case illustrates the clinical, radiological, and histological relevance of this rare entity.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

A 41-year-old Caucasian man with chronic bifrontal headaches and a raised area over his left frontal cranium that persisted for 1 year presented to the emergency room with nausea and vomiting. His family reported that the patient demonstrated increased irritability and aggressive behavior. A computed tomographic scan revealed a large mass of the left frontal convexity with edema and mass effect. Magnetic resonance imaging scans showed a 5-cm homogeneously enhancing mass in the left posterior frontal lobe.

INTERVENTION:

Preoperatively, the patient underwent angiography and embolization of the tumor. The patient underwent gross total resection of tumor. The dural-based tumor invaded the cranium and scalp. Neuropathological findings were consistent with low-grade follicular lymphoma. The patient is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION:

The current case represents the first report of extensive intracranial dural involvement by a follicular lymphoma that shows a classic immunophenotype by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The case illustrates the clinical and radiographic similarities between dural-based lymphoma and meningioma. Distinguishing dural-based follicular lymphoma from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-type lymphoma and from intraparenchymal primary central nervous system lymphomas, which are more often large cell lymphomas with more aggressive biological behavior, is essential for proper clinical management.

Anorectal malignant melanoma: morphologic and immunohistochemical features

We reviewed 17 cases of primary anorectal malignant melanoma. Morphologic features evaluated included junctional change, pigmentation, morphology, and mitotic rate. Immunohistochemical stains were performed for/with S-100 protein, HMB-45, MelanA, tyrosinase, vimentin, KIT, and pankeratin. Morphologic subtypes were as follows: epithelioid, 12 cases; spindle cell, 7 cases; lymphoma-like, 10 cases; and pleomorphic, 6 cases. Pigmentation was present in 9 cases. Junctional change was present in 6 cases. The mitotic rate was 3 or more per high-power field in 8 cases. S-100 protein was present in all cases, HMB-45 stained 16 of 17, MelanA was present in 14 of 15, tyrosinase in 12 of 14, vimentin in 13 of 14, and KIT in 12 of 16. Pankeratin was absent in all cases. The mean length of follow-up was 25.6 months (range, 8-96 months), and the average survival with disease was 32.3 months (range, 8-96). No morphologic or immunohistochemical features were predictive of survival. Anorectal malignant melanoma shows considerable morphologic variability. Immunohistochemical staining is similar to cutaneous melanomas. Expression of KIT was present frequently, including cases with spindle cell morphologic features, in which it may lead to confusion with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas: clinical features and prognostic factors of 92 cases defined by the revised European American lymphoma classification

The purpose of this study was to better define the clinical features and natural history of peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) entities included in the Revised European American lymphoma (REAL) classification. Cases of PTCL were retrieved from the records of the Department of Pathology and classified according to the REAL classification. In addition, cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) were divided into classical, small cell, and primary cutaneous subtypes, and immunostaining for the anaplastic large-cell kinase (ALK) protein was performed on all cases of ALCL. Clinical features, response to therapy and survival were abstracted. Ninety-two cases of PTCL with adequate clinical information were retrieved. There were 40 cases of ALCL (30 classical, 7 small cell variant, 3 primary cutaneous), 28 PTCL, unspecified, 13 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and 11 with other entities. The patients had a median age of 48 years with a range of 6-84 and had an estimated overall survival (OS) of 49% and progression-free survival (PFS) of 22% at 5 years. The International Prognostic Index (IPI) was a significant prognostic factor for both progression-free and OS. Histology was a significant predictor of PFS with anaplastic large cell having the best prognosis. ALK expression was not associated with an improved progression-free or overall-survival in patients with systemic T-cell ALCL. In conclusion, the REAL classification describes distinct PTCL entities. The IPI is the most important predictor of progression-free and OS in patients with PTCL. ALK expression may not provide prognostic information for systemic ALCL.

Hepatosplenic alphabeta T-cell lymphomas: a report of 14 cases and comparison with hepatosplenic gammadelta T-cell lymphomas

Hepatosplenic gammadelta T-cell lymphoma is a distinct entity, characterized by occurrence in young adult males with hepatosplenomegaly, B-symptoms, peripheral blood cytopenias, and no lymphadenopathy; lymphomatous infiltrates in the splenic red pulp, hepatic sinusoids, and bone marrow sinuses; T-cell receptor (TCR) gammadelta chains and a cytotoxic T-cell phenotype; isochromosome 7q; and an aggressive clinical course. In comparison, this study describes the clinicopathologic features of 14 hepatosplenic T-cell lymphomas expressing TCR alphabeta chains. They occurred in 11 women and 3 men with a median age of 36 years. Clinical presentation was similar to that described previously for hepatosplenic gammadelta T-cell lymphomas, except for the female preponderance and age distribution (5 patients younger than 13 years of age and 5 patients older than 50 years of age). Disease distribution was primarily in the splenic red pulp and hepatic sinusoids, although liver infiltrates were largely periportal in four cases. Bone marrow involvement, observed in eight patients, was usually interstitial and/or within the sinuses. Lymph nodes were involved in five patients, although lymphadenopathy was demonstrable in only two. Ten cases were composed of intermediate-size tumor cells with round/oval nuclei, slightly dispersed chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, and scant to moderate amounts of cytoplasm. Four lymphomas contained primarily large cells with irregular nuclei, dispersed chromatin, discernible nucleoli, and moderate to abundant cytoplasm. Tumor cells in all 14 lymphomas were cytotoxic alphabeta T-cells; 13 co-expressed natural killer cell-associated antigens and showed T-cell clonality. Three lymphomas were associated with Epstein-Barr virus. Two of four cases had an isochromosome 7q. Eleven patients are dead, eight within a year of diagnosis, and two patients have maintained complete remissions after combination chemotherapy. These data show that hepatosplenic T-cell lymphomas include an alphabeta-subtype. This group, along with the previously recognized gammadelta group, should be recognized as phenotypically heterogeneous subtypes of the same disease entity.

Immunohistochemical detection of cyclin D1 using optimized conditions is highly specific for mantle cell lymphoma and hairy cell leukemia

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is more aggressive when compared with other lymphomas composed of small, mature B lymphocytes. Cyclin D1 is overexpressed in MCL as a result of the translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32). Cyclin D1 immunohistochemistry in fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue contributes to the precise and reproducible diagnosis of MCL without the requirement of fresh tissue. However, its use in bone marrow biopsies is not well established. In addition, increased levels of cyclin D1 mRNA have been found in hairy cell leukemia but have not consistently been detected by immunohistochemistry. We used a polyclonal antibody and heat-induced antigen retrieval conditions to evaluate 73 fixed, paraffin-embedded bone marrow, spleen, and lymph node specimens with small B-cell infiltrates, obtained from 55 patients. Cyclin D1 was overexpressed in 13/13 specimens of MCL (usually strong, diffuse reactivity in most tumor cells) and in 14/14 specimens of hairy cell leukemia (usually weak, in a subpopulation of tumor cells). No reactivity was detected in five cases of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia; five cases of splenic marginal zone lymphoma; six cases of nodal marginal zone cell lymphoma; two cases of gastric marginal zone cell lymphoma; or ten benign lymphoid infiltrates in bone marrow, spleen, or lymph nodes. In summary, although the total number of studied cases is small and a larger series of cases may be required to confirm our data, we present optimized immunohistochemical conditions for cyclin D1 in fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue that can be useful in distinguishing MCL and hairy cell leukemia from other small B-cell neoplasms and reactive lymphoid infiltrates.

Utility of bone marrow biopsy for rapid diagnosis of febrile illnesses in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

BACKGROUND

Histochemical staining of bone marrow biopsy samples for microorganisms may provide a presumptive diagnosis weeks before culture.

METHODS

To identify predictors of histochemical positivity, we reviewed 161 bone marrow biopsies from febrile patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

RESULTS

By multivariate analysis, both hematocrit value <30% and white blood cell count <4,000/mm3 predicted biopsy positivity by culture or staining, but only anemia predicted histochemical stain positivity. Of cases with serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels >600 U/L, histoplasmosis was diagnosed in 31.6% versus 7.8% with lower LDH levels. Among histoplasmosis cases, staining showed fungi in all, with LDH levels >600 U/L versus 44.4% with lower levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone marrow biopsy will most likely provide a rapid diagnosis in patients with anemia. Markedly elevated LDH levels suggest stain positivity for Histoplasma capsulatum. Histopathologic patterns may also guide empiric therapy.

Immunocytochemical analysis of MNDA in tissue sections and sorted normal bone marrow cells documents expression only in maturing normal and neoplastic myelomonocytic cells and a subset of normal and neoplastic B lymphocytes

The human myeloid cell nuclear differentiation antigen (MNDA) is a nuclear antigen known to be expressed in mature myelomonocytic cell lines. An extensive immunocytochemical evaluation of fixed tissues confirmed MNDA expression in normal maturing granulocytes and monocytes and in acute nonlymphocytic leukemias and chronic myelogenous leukemia. MNDA was not detected in normal tissue histiocytes but was found in activated macrophages and foreign body giant cells associated with inflammation. Flow cytometric cell sorting of normal bone marrow established that MNDA is initially expressed in myeloid blast cells. Examination of lymphoid tissues showed a low level of expression in a population of normal mande B lymphocytes but not in germinal center cells or plasma cells. A subset of B cell neoplasms expressing MNDA included hairy cell leukemia, parafollicular (monocytoid) B cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Cell sorting of normal bone marrow showed MNDA expression in CD20+/CD10-/CD5- B cells. MNDA was not detected in other normal bone marrow or all other nonhematopoietic cells. The hematopoietic cell-specific pattern of MNDA expression was elucidated through a comprehensive analysis of normal and neoplastic tissues, and the results provide further evidence of the coexpression of B- and myeloid cell markers in neoplastic B cells and identify a normal B cell population that might be related to the cell of origin of a subset of B cell neoplasms.

Somatic mutation analysis of IgH variable regions reveals that tumor cells of most parafollicular (monocytoid) B-cell lymphoma, splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, and some hairy cell leukemia are composed of memory B lymphocytes

The cell of origin of parafollicular (monocytoid) B cell lymphoma (PBCL), splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL), and hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is controversial. To better understand the relationship between these low-grade B-cell neoplasms, we analyzed the nucleotide sequences of the rearranged immunoglobulin heavy (IgH) chain variable (V) region of the clonal population of cells in five cases of PBCL, four cases of SMZL, and seven cases of HCL to determine whether these neoplasms could be differentiated by the degree of somatic mutation in the IgH V gene or by the IgH V gene family usage. DNA was extracted from diagnostic material and clonality confirmed by PCR. The DNA was reamplified using V heavy chain family specific primers, and the amplicons were sequenced. Sequences were compared with germline IgH V gene sequences, and base changes were determined to be silent or to represent amino acid replacements by using three different methods. Four of five (80%) cases of PBCL, three of four (75%) cases of SMZL, and three of seven (43%) cases of HCL showed evidence of antigen selection, suggesting that these neoplasms involved clonal expansions of postgerminal center memory lymphocytes. Only SMZL showed a preferential usage of V(H)1 family genes.

T-cell-rich large-B-cell lymphomas contain non-activated CD8+ cytolytic T cells, show increased tumor cell apoptosis, and have lower Bcl-2 expression than diffuse large-B-cell lymphomas

The factor(s) responsible for the reduced B cell number and increased T cell infiltrate in T-cell-rich large-B-cell lymphomas (TCRBCLs) have not been well characterized. We studied 18 TCRBCLs and 12 diffuse large-B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) to compare the 1) predominant T cell subpopulation(s), 2) expression of cytotoxic granule proteins (TIA-1 and granzyme B), 3) level of tumor cell apoptosis (Apoptag system, Oncor, Gaithersburg, MD), and 4) expression of Ki-67 (Mib-1) and apoptosis-related proteins (fas (CD95), bcl-2, and p53). T cells in TCRBCLs and DLBCLs were predominantly CD8+ T cells expressing alphabeta T-cell receptors and TIA-1 (16 of 18 TCRBCLs with >50% TIA-1+ small lymphocytes) but lacking granzyme B (16 of 18 TCRBCLs with <25% granzyme B+ small lymphocytes). Scattered apoptotic tumor cells (confirmed with CD20 co-labeling) were present in 15 of 18 TCRBCLs, with 14 of 15 cases having <10% apoptotic cells. No apoptotic cells were seen in 12 of 12 DLBCLs. In 16 of 16 immunoreactive TCRBCLs, <25% tumor cells were bcl-2+, whereas 6 of 12 DLBCLs had >50% bcl-2+ tumor cells. CD95 (fas) expression was also lower, with 3 of 18 (16.7%) TCRBCLs versus 4 of 12 (33%) DLBCLs having >25% CD95+ tumor cells. TCRBCLs and DLBCLs had similar levels of p53 and Ki-67 (Mib-1) expression. Thus, T cells in TCRBCLs are non-activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (TIA-1+, granzyme B-). Tumor cell apoptosis (perhaps cytotoxic T cell mediated) may partly account for the decreased number of large (neoplastic) B cells in TCRBCLs, but other factors (ie, decreased bcl-2 expression) may also be needed.

The spectrum of multiple myeloma: diagnostic and biological implications

Myeloma is a common and well-studied hematopoietic neoplasm with an impressive spectrum of clinical, laboratory, and histological findings. To enhance our understanding of the diversity of myeloma, including its earliest forms, the clinical and pathological findings in 145 cases of myeloma were documented and analyzed. Our analysis indicated that myeloma has at least two distinct subtypes: one presenting with bone lesions and a nodular growth pattern and the other presenting with anemia and an infiltrative growth pattern. The relationship of these two forms to plasma cell biology is not clear, although both types appear to arise in the marrow. The criteria used in this study identified 85% of cases overall, with a range of 70% to 100%, depending on clinical presentation. Immunoperoxidase studies are required to establish the diagnosis in patients with early marrow involvement. Myeloma in younger patients appears to be clinically and pathologically similar to myeloma in older patients. Factors such as dysplasia, immunoglobulin type, or leukemic phase were evenly distributed among clinical presentations and did not apparently identify clinicopathological subtypes of myeloma.

Recurrent Hodgkin's disease after bone marrow transplantation

Histologic features of recurrent Hodgkin's disease (HD) after conventional therapy are well known, but few studies describe HD after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Histologic material from 63 patients who underwent BMT performed to treat recurrent nodular sclerosing HD (NSHD) between 1985 and 1994 was examined; 13 of the 63 patients had histologically proved recurrent disease after BMT. Histologic material and clinical findings from the original diagnostic biopsy specimen and pre-BMT and post-BMT specimens were available from our study population of eight patients (five male, three female; age range, 16 to 38 years; median age, 27.5 years). Seven patients had recurrent NSHD after BMT; sites of recurrence included lymph nodes only (four patients), and lymph nodes and lung, lung and liver, and lung only (one patient each). In one patient, a high-grade non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma developed in the large intestine 5 years after BMT. In another, disease progressed from grade 1 in the original biopsy specimen to grade 2 in both the pre-BMT and post-BMT recurrent HD biopsy specimens. Post-BMT biopsy specimens of recurrent HD with lung involvement revealed a substantial increase in sclerosis and fibroblastic features. Paraffin immunoperoxidase studies in seven patients demonstrated substantial change in phenotype of Reed-Stemberg cell variants in only one post-BMT recurrent HD specimen, which showed a +2 reaction with CD30 (Ki-1). No substantial differences in the reactive component were noted between the original biopsy specimen and pre-BMT and post-BMT specimens of recurrent disease. In summary, histologic findings of post-BMT recurrent NSHD do not differ significantly from those of the original diagnostic biopsy or pre-BMT recurrent HD specimens. The lung is the most common site of extranodal post-BMT recurrence. In one patient, high-grade non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma developed after BMT performed to treat recurrent HD.

Latent membrane protein antibody reacts with normal hematopoietic precursor cells and leukemic blasts in tissues lacking Epstein-Barr virus genome by polymerase chain reaction

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein (LMP) has been detected in various reactive and neoplastic lymphoproliferations and in some epithelial malignancies. However, data are lacking on LMP immunoreactivity in normal and neoplastic hematopoietic cells. Therefore, the authors studied LMP staining in 29 paraffin-embedded tissues containing these cells and correlated the findings with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for a EBV-BAM HI W genome sequence in 15 of these cases. Latent membrane protein immunostains showed strong uniform marking of normal early myeloid and erythroid precursors, whereas neutrophils, bands and late normoblasts were negative. Leukemic myeloblasts and lymphoblasts were also strongly positive for LMP. Polymerase chain reaction analysis showed no evidence of EBV-BAM HI W genome in 13 cases with amplifiable DNA. This study indicates normal hematopoietic precursor cells and leukemic blasts mark strongly with monoclonal LMP antibody. Furthermore, the absence of EBV genome in these tissues suggests a lack of specificity of monoclonal LMP for EBV-infected cells in the marrow.

Splenic marginal zone lymphoma. A distinct B-cell neoplasm

The splenic marginal zone is a morphologically and perhaps immunologically distinct B-cell compartment. Lymphomas arising from cells of the splenic marginal zone are rare. Here we describe the morphologic, immunologic, and clinical features of 14 cases. Patient age ranged from 35 to 79 years (median, 68 years) with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.8. The spleen was uniformly enlarged (median, 1,540 g; range, 388-3,845 g) in all patients, the neoplastic infiltrate had a nodular pattern in three cases, nodular and diffuse in seven cases, and diffuse in four cases. The neoplastic cells had small to medium-sized nuclei with round, oval, or slightly indented contours, small eosinophilic nucleoli, and a moderate amount of pale cytoplasm. Extrasplenic involvement was present in 12 patients. Lymph nodes often had a vaguely nodular pattern and preservation of sinuses; bone marrow was infiltrated focally (seven cases) or diffusely (one case). Five patients had hepatic involvement. Ultrastructurally, neoplastic cells differed from other small B cells and resembled normal marginal zone cells by having long, serpentine rough endoplasmic reticulum profiles. All lymphomas marked as B cells and light chain restriction was demonstrated in 12 cases. Bcl-2 protein expression was present in all cases. Most cases (70%) were negative for DBA.44 (CD72). Plasmacytic differentiation was present in three cases. In conclusion, splenic marginal zone lymphoma is a B-cell neoplasm with distinctive clinical, morphologic, immunologic, and ultrastructural characteristics.

Natural killer-like T-cell lymphomas: aggressive lymphomas of T-large granular lymphocytes

Natural killer (NK)-like T cells are major histocompatibility complex-unrestricted cytotoxic T cells that are surface CD3-positive, express NK-cell antigens, and rearrange their T-cell receptor. Most neoplasms arising from this T-cell subpopulation have been a chronic lymphoproliferative disease referred to as T-large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia. Only 10 NK-like T-cell lymphomas have been described in detail previously; this study presents the clinicopathologic features of six others and distinguishes these lymphomas from T-LGL leukemia. All patients presented with B-symptoms and often had marked hepatosplenomegaly without significant peripheral lymphadenopathy. Four of the six patients were immunosuppressed. All had CD3, CD8, CD56-positive tumors, presumably of hepatosplenic (n = 3), intestinal (n = 1), pulmonary (n = 1), or nodal (n = 1) origin. Three patients had lymphomatous bone marrow infiltrates, and four had peripheral blood involvement by neoplastic large lymphocytes, some of which had a blastic appearance or resembled virocytes. Azurophilic granules, ultrastructurally corresponding to cytoplasmic dense core and/or double density granules, were seen in all cases. T-cell clonality was shown in five tumors by Southern blot analysis, and three had abnormal karyotypes. Two untreated patients died 20 days after presentation, and three patients who received combination chemotherapy died within 5 months of presentation. One patient remains in complete remission 22 months after treatment. These findings suggest NK-like T-cell lymphomas are aggressive, are clinicopathologically distinct from T-LGL leukemia, and should be in the differential diagnosis of extranodal T-cell lymphoproliferations, including those in immunosuppressed patients. Furthermore, the LGL morphology, phenotype, and tissue distribution of some NK-like T-cell lymphomas suggest they arise from thymic-independent T cells of the hepatic sinusoids and intestinal mucosa.

Surgical pathology examination of lymph nodes. Practice survey by American Society of Clinical Pathologists

The American Society of Clinical Pathologists surveyed 363 pathologists to determine practices used in processing and reporting lymph node specimens submitted for surgical pathology examination. This topic is of interest because lymph nodes are some of the more common organs biopsied for diagnostic purposes and the constant change in and diversity of classification systems in the past 30 years. The definition of newly recognized entities and the use of sophisticated diagnostic tools also have made it difficult for there to be a solid consensus of pathologists in diagnosing lymphoproliferative disorders for correlation with clinical behavior and response to therapy. The survey, conducted in November 1992, contained 79 questions. Participants were selected to represent a variety of practice settings and 179 (49%) responses were received.

T-cell-rich B-cell lymphomas: diagnosis and response to therapy of 44 patients

PURPOSE

Clinicopathologic features of 44 patients with well-documented T-cell-rich B-cell lymphomas (TCRBCLs) were reviewed to determine if there were distinguishing clinical characteristics and to evaluate the responsiveness to therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-one patients had de novo TCRBCL, while three patients had a prior diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Seventeen TCRBCLs were identified from a retrospective analysis of 176 lymphomas diagnosed before 1988 as peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCLs). The initial pathologic diagnosis was incorrect in 36 of 44 cases (82%), usually due to the absence of adequate immunophenotypic and/or genotypic studies at the initial study.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 53 years (range, 17 to 92), and the male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1. B symptoms were present in 22 of 41 patients (54%); splenomegaly was detected in 11 patients (25%). Clinical stage at diagnosis was as follows: I (n = 8), II (n = 6), III (n = 15), IV (n = 14), and unstaged (n = 1). Although therapy was heterogeneous, the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates at 3 years for patients with de novo TCRBCL were 29% and 46%, respectively. A complete response (CR) to combination chemotherapy for intermediate-grade lymphomas was observed in 16 of 26 patients (62%); 11 of these patients (42%) had a continuous CR, compared with one of 14 patients (7%) who received radiation therapy or therapy for low-grade lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease (HD) (P < .05). However, there was no difference in OS between patients who received chemotherapy for intermediate-grade lymphoma versus other therapies (49% v 48%) due to a high response rate to salvage therapies, including seven patients without disease after marrow transplantation.

CONCLUSION

TCRBCLs are difficult to recognize without immunoperoxidase studies. Patients with TCRBCL have clinical features similar to patients with other large B-cell lymphomas, except they may have more splenomegaly and advanced-stage disease; they should receive combination chemotherapy directed at large-cell lymphomas.

Paracortical nodular T-cell lymphoma. Identification of an unusual variant of peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are regarded as diffuse proliferations. We describe an unusual paracortical nodular growth pattern in four nodal PTCLs that were initially interpreted as atypical lymphoid hyperplasia in three patients and small B-cell lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation in a fourth. The nodules were vague to easily discernible and produced minimal to partial architectural distortion. Sinuses were often open, and scattered cortical lymphoid follicles with atretic to hyperplastic germinal centers were present. Clusters of tumor cells abutted some follicles in all cases, and in one case they exhibited focal T-zone expansion. Hypervascularity was not prominent, but a few nodules surrounded epithelioid venules, imparting an angiofollicular appearance. The nodules were composed primarily of small lymphocytes with irregular nuclei admixed with scattered large transformed cells, both cell types having clear cytoplasm. Paraffin immunoperoxidase showed that the nodules were composed of T cells. Dendritic cell networks were present only in follicular centers. Southern blot analysis found T-cell receptor gene rearrangements and a germline immunoglobulin gene configuration in all four nodes. These paracortical clear cell nodules of clonal T cells may be a special type of PTCL. Alternatively, they may represent early foci of lymphoma or they may be a subgroup of T-zone lymphoma. Paracortical nodular PTCL must be differentiated from atypical hyperplastic lesions and some B-cell lymphomas.

Laboratories in patient-centered units

As part of a hospital pilot project evaluating decentralized patient-focused care, a new laboratory model was studied. Cross-trained personnel (nurses, medical technologists, radiology technologists, and respiratory therapists) performed high-volume, automated laboratory tests in a unit-based laboratory as part of their overall patient care duties. Testing performed in the patient-centered unit laboratory, in general, was comparable in quality to that reported by the hospital's central laboratory.

Diagnostic criteria and histologic grading in multiple myeloma: histologic and immunohistologic analysis of 176 cases with clinical correlation

Diagnostic criteria in myeloma have not been completely standardized or tested for accuracy; furthermore, marrow findings of prognostic value have not been clearly identified. We studied 176 patients with myeloma to determine the relative value of marrow differential, tissue sections, and immunohistology singly or in concert in the diagnosis of myeloma and to correlate morphologic features with prognosis. Controls were patients with benign marrow plasmacytosis. Homogeneous nodules of plasma cells at least 1/2 high-power field and/or monotypic aggregates of plasma cells filling at least one interfatty marrow space correctly identified myeloma in 83.5% of cases, with no false positives. The current numerical criteria of marrow plasmacytosis > or = 10% occurred in 17.1% of the controls, and 39.7% of patients with myeloma had less than 10% marrow plasmacytosis at presentation. Myeloma was graded histologically into categories of none/minimal, moderate, and marked dysplasia on the basis of dysplastic features and mitoses; these categories correlated well with clinical outcome, with median length of survival of 32.9, 25.2, and 12.9 months, respectively (overall median length of survival of 123 patients with myeloma, 29.2 months). Packing of marrow by tumor and mitoses measuring at least 5/high-power field regardless of grade also was associated with a poor prognosis (median lengths of survival, 15.2 and 11 months, respectively). Myeloma may be diagnosed in the great majority of cases by demonstrating homogeneous nodules and/or monotypic aggregates of plasma cells in the marrow. Prognostic features were shown to include marked dysplasia, mitoses, packing of marrow by tumor, and clinical stage.

Combined silver Perls's stain for differential staining of ringed sideroblasts and marrow iron

During a study of nucleolar organiser regions, a modified silver stain was found to be a sensitive marker for the iron in ringed sideroblasts, more so than Perls's stain when the marrow iron stores were low. To enhance the usefulness of the silver stain, a combined silver Perls method was developed. This stains the ringed sideroblast iron black and haemosiderin blue, thus rendering the detection of ringed sideroblasts easier even when marrow iron stores are excessive. AT the same time, it allows marrow iron content to be evaluated. The silver reagent in this combined method probably shows phosphate rather than the iron present in the abnormal mitochondria in ringed sideroblasts. This facilitates the differential staining of ringed sideroblast "iron" and haemosiderin.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-like illness associated with systemic Mycoplasma fermentans infection in a human immunodeficiency virus-negative homosexual man

A 35-year-old homosexual man developed a composite nodal Kaposi's sarcoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma that were associated with a peripheral blood CD4-positive lymphocyte count of only 43/mm3. The patient subsequently developed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis and eventually died due to disseminated Cryptococcus neoformans. Numerous premortem tests for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types 1 and 2 were negative by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, viral isolation, and polymerase chain reaction techniques. Postmortem evaluations for HIV-1, HIV-2, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-I, and HTLV-II also were negative by polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence assays, and viral isolation. A systemic infection by Mycoplasma fermentans, however, was documented by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction in premortem and postmortem tissues. This recently recognized human pathogen has produced systemic infections in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and in previously healthy non-AIDS patients who characteristically have a fulminant flu-like illness. Additionally, M fermentans has enhanced the cytopathic effect of HIV in in vitro studies and has produced fatal wasting illnesses with terminal lymphopenia in inoculated adult silvered leaf monkeys. This report is the first description of an association between M fermentans infection and an AIDS-like illness in an HIV-negative individual. The etiology of the severe immunosuppression in this patient and the associated role of M fermentans remain to be determined by further investigations.

Interleukin-4 may contribute to the abundant T-cell reaction and paucity of neoplastic B cells in T-cell-rich B-cell lymphomas

T-cell-rich B-cell lymphomas (TCRBCLs) are diffuse lymphomas that contain a minority of large neoplastic B cells amidst a majority of non-neoplastic T cells and numerous histiocytes, an unusually pronounced reactive component not seen in most diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). This reaction may be influenced by various cytokines secreted by lymphoma or reactive cells; therefore, expression of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-9 was evaluated immunohistochemically on paraffin-embedded sections of 18 TCRBCLs and was compared with that of 15 DLBCLs containing a minority of reactive T cells and to that of seven reactive lymph nodes. Moderate to intense expression of IL-4 was detected in variable numbers of tumor cells and in numerous histiocytes in 16 TCRBCLs. In contrast, intense IL-4 expression in numerous histiocytes was observed in only one of 15 DLBCLs with few T cells. In four other DLBCLs and three reactive nodes, moderate to intense staining for IL-4 was noted only in rare large transformed cells or in occasional histiocytes. Except for one IL-1 beta positive and another IL-9 positive TCRBCL, there was no marking or weak staining only with other cytokine antibodies in the neoplastic and reactive cases studied. The expression of IL-4 in most TCRBCLs, but not in other DLBCLs or in reactive nodes, suggests that this cytokine is one factor involved in the pathobiology of the abundant T-cell reaction and, perhaps, contributes to the paucity of neoplastic B cells in TCRBCLs.

Plasmacytic differentiation in parafollicular (monocytoid) B-cell lymphoma. A study of 12 cases

Parafollicular (or monocytoid) B-cell lymphoma (PBCL) is a recently described low grade lymphoma. The relationship of parafollicular B cells to other B lymphocytes is not known, but the authors observed plasmacytic differentiation in the initial case of PBCL. In this report 12 cases of PBCL were studied by light microscopy and immunophenotypic analysis, and plasmacytic differentiation was found in four cases. This plasmacytic differentiation and the anatomic relationship of the neoplastic cells to reactive follicular centers suggest a functional relationship between these cell types.

T-cell-rich B-cell lymphomas. A clinicopathologic study of 19 cases

T-cell-rich B-cell lymphomas (TCRBCLs) are recently described, unusual non-Hodgkin's lymphomas that have a diffuse morphology, a predominance of reactive T-cells, and a minority of neoplastic B-cells. The clinical and pathological features of 19 TCRBCLs, all of which demonstrated B-cell clonality, are presented. These lymphomas generally affected older patients by widespread disease and usually were nodal in origin. Treatment varied, but continuous complete remissions (eight patients) were achieved only in those receiving chemotherapy directed at intermediate-grade lymphomas. Although morphologically heterogeneous, all cases resembled peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs); several TCRBCLs also contained Reed-Sternberg-like cells. Flow cytometry or frozen-section immunoperoxidase failed to detect monotypic immunoglobulin (Ig) in eight of eight cases tested. In contrast, paraffin immunoperoxidase was very useful diagnostically, showing large L26 (CD20-associated) positive cells scattered singly or in small clusters among numerous small T-cells (UCHL1[CD45RO] positive) in all cases. Monotypic cytoplasmic Ig was present in 16 of 19 cases, one of which exhibited plasmacytic differentiation. Southern blot analysis demonstrated relatively faint Ig JH and/or JK bands, indicating a small monoclonal B-cell population in nine of 11 cases, one of which also showed a bcl-2 rearrangement. No T-cell receptor gene rearrangements were observed. These results showed that TCRBCLs may be easily confused with PTCLs or occasionally confused with Hodgkin's disease. TCRBCLs are probably heterogeneous biologically; some cases are of follicular center cell origin. These lymphomas respond to chemotherapy directed at intermediate-grade lymphomas, apparently have a better prognosis than PTCLs, and seem to represent morphological variants of different types of large B-cell lymphomas.

Results of treatment with high intensity, brief duration chemotherapy in poor prognosis non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

A novel chemotherapeutic approach was designed for the treatment of intermediate and high-grade histology non-Hodgkin's lymphoma using augmented (but subtransplantation) doses of chemotherapy administered at frequent intervals in the inpatient setting. For the initial evaluation of this regimen, poor prognosis patients were treated with a projected long-term survival rate of less than 25% in response to standard therapy. Between March 1982 and May 1988, 56 previously untreated patients were entered into this study; all patients had either high-grade histology (20 patients) or predominantly large cell lymphoma (36 patients). Median age was 41.5 years (range, 18 to 69 years). Poor prognosis features included: Stage IV, 71%; poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale, 2 to 4), 55%; multiple extranodal sites of disease, 52%; elevated lactic dehydrogenase (greater than 300 IU/l), 43%; and bulky (greater than 10 cm) tumor masses, 30%. Thirty-three of 56 patients (59%) were in Shipp's Category 3. During the 6-year study, the chemotherapy regimen was modified in an attempt to improve efficacy and reduce toxicity. However, most patients received a 2-month course of therapy as follows: cyclophosphamide 1500 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) on days 1, 2, and 29; etoposide 400 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, and 3 and 100 mg/m2 on days 29, 30, 31; doxorubicin 45 mg/m2 IV on days 29, 30; vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 IV on days 8, 22, 36, and 50; bleomycin 10 units/m2 IV on days 8, 22, 36, and 50; methotrexate 200 mg/m2 IV on days 15 and 43 followed 24 hours later by leucovorin 15 mg/m2 IV every 6 hours for six doses; and prednisone 60 mg/m2 orally on days 1 to 7 and 29 to 35. The complete response (CR) rate was 77% (95% confidence interval, 64% to 86%). There were ten relapses, only one of which occurred after 18 months of follow-up. Overall event-free survival (EFS) was 52% (95% confidence interval, 36% to 68%), with a median follow-up of 36 months. Eleven of 13 patients with small noncleaved lymphoma had CR; actuarial EFS in this subgroup was 61%. Myelosuppression occurred in all patients, with severe leukopenia (less than 1000/microliters) lasting a median of 12 days (range, 3 to 29 days); toxic deaths occurred in five patients (9%; 95% confidence interval, 4% to 19%). This intensive approach improved the response and survival of very poor risk non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients.

T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma presenting in a recurrent thymoma

A lymphoblastic malignancy presented as the lymphoid component of a recurrent invasive lymphocyte-rich thymoma that had been previously resected and treated with chemotherapy. This high grade lymphoid neoplasm concurrently involved mediastinal nodes and subsequently disseminated to pleural fluid and peripheral blood. Lymphocytes with convoluted nuclei demonstrated a T-lymphoblastic phenotype (UCHL1+, Leu-22+, TdT+) by immunohistochemical studies. T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphomas in this clinical setting have not been reported, and this case suggests that neoplastic transformation of lymphocytes may occur in longstanding refractory thymomas.

Leu-22 (L60). A more sensitive marker than UCHL1 for peripheral T-cell lymphomas, particularly large-cell types

Paraffin-embedded sections of 77 peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) were stained with several monoclonal antibodies, including the preferential T-cell markers Leu-22 (L60[CD43]) and UCHL1 (CD45RO). The staining characteristics of L60 and UCHL1 were compared to determine the value of each in the immunophenotypic analysis of PTCLs. Lineage specificity was evaluated among 39 B-cell lymphomas and 33 cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD). L60 and/or UCHL1 stained 95% of PTCLs, whereas L60 and UCHL1 alone stained 90% and 69% of cases, respectively. L60 demonstrated significantly greater numbers of immunopositive tumor cells than UCHL1 in 37% of the PTCL cases, principally because of enhanced marking of large, neoplastic cells. UCHL1 was a better marker in only 10% of the PTCL cases. L60 stained 33% of B-cell lymphomas, usually small lymphocytic or lymphoplasmacytic types. UCHL1 stained only 8% of B-cell lymphomas, all large-cell types. L60 and UCHL1 stained Reed-Sternberg cells and variants in three cases of nodular sclerosing HD. These results suggest that both L60 and UCHL1 are useful markers of PTCLs in routinely processed tissue. L60 is a more sensitive marker of large neoplastic T-cells than UCHL1 but is less lineage-specific. These antibodies are most effective when used as part of a panel of monoclonal antibodies.

Large-cell lymphomas: clinical and prognostic features

We reviewed the clinical and pathologic features in 186 patients with large-cell lymphomas seen at Vanderbilt University Hospital between 1970 and 1986. Ninety-two cases (49%) were large noncleaved-cell lymphoma (LNCCL), 61 cases (33%) were large-cleaved-cell lymphoma (LCCL), 17 cases (9%) were peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), and 16 cases (9%) were immunoblastic sarcoma of B cells (IBS-B). These subsets of large-cell lymphoma did not differ with respect to median age, distribution by stage, or incidence of bone marrow involvement. Significant differences between groups were noted with regard to male:female ratio, incidence of symptoms, incidence of extranodal disease, and pattern of adenopathy. However, when LCCL was excluded from the analysis, none of these differences were significant. By univariate analysis, age, stage, marrow involvement, extranodal disease, B symptoms, elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and diffuse pattern were unfavorable prognostic features in large-cell lymphoma. However, when cases were stratified by cell of origin, nodular versus diffuse pattern was of no prognostic significance. Nodularity was favorable only because 71% of nodular and nodular-diffuse cases were LCCL, while the majority of diffuse cases were LNCCL. Although IBS-B is considered a "high-grade" lymphoma, we found no evidence for inferior survival in these patients compared with LNCCL or LCCL. In fact, survival was better in IBS-B than in LNCCL or LCCL, although this difference was not significant. However, survival was significantly inferior in PTCL (median, 11 months) compared with the other subsets of large-cell lymphoma (median, 46 months; P = .038, log-rank test). Since the association of PTCL and an inferior survival has most often been noted in the context of "second-generation" chemotherapy, we believe that this association may be therapy-dependent and may be minimized by the use of more aggressive chemotherapy regimens.

Silver stain for ringed sideroblasts. A sensitive method that differs from Perls' reaction in mechanism and clinical application

A modified silver stain is described for the demonstration of ringed sideroblasts in bone marrow. It is more sensitive than Perls' reaction for that purpose, especially when iron stores of marrow are low or absent. Ringed sideroblasts may still be demonstrable by silver stain in cases of sideroblastic anemia without ringed sideroblasts, for which severe iron deficiency prevents detection of the abnormal sideroblasts by Perls' reaction. As iron has been reported to be present in mitochondria of ringed sideroblasts in the form of ferric phosphate, it is possible that the silver stain demonstrates the phosphate moiety and not the iron, thus explaining its greater sensitivity in iron deficiency as compared to Perls' reaction. Further study is necessary to confirm the staining mechanism, to elucidate the composition of iron deposits, and to explain the pathophysiology of sideroblastic anemia.

Clinical features associated with transformation of cerebriform T-cell lymphoma to a large cell process

Some patients with cerebriform T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) undergo morphologic transformation to a large cell lymphoma. From a series of 113 patients with CTCL, 22 patients were identified with transformed CTCL. Stages of involvement at diagnosis were: I (seven), II (four), III (four), IV (seven). Nine patients had transformation at the initial diagnosis while the median time from diagnosis to transformation in the other 13 patients was 16 months (range: 3 months-6 years). Thirteen had transformation extracutaneously: lymph nodes (eight), central nervous system (two), and other extranodal sites (three). T cell markers were identified in all cases; of 15 cases with complete phenotypes, there were eight T-helper, three T-suppressor, and four aberrant T phenotypes. Serology for human T-leukemia virus-I (HTLV-I) was negative in eight patients tested. Median survival from diagnosis was 27 months compared to 53 months in 53 patients without transformation (p = 0.003). Despite combination chemotherapy in 12 patients following transformation, median survival after transformation was 12 months and only 7 months with extracutaneous disease. The likelihood of transformation could not be predicted by the initial histology, immunophenotype, or stage of disease.

Plastic section immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms

Plastic section immunohistochemistry is an important method in the multiparameter approach to the diagnosis of hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms. Morphologic, histochemical, and immunophenotypic data may be correlated even on small fragments of tissue by this technique. A variety of differentiation markers is detectable in plastic sections for the delineation of lymphocytic, histiocytic, and myeloid neoplasms, as well as Hodgkin's disease. Plastic section immunohistochemistry should also be useful in the diagnosis of epithelial and stromal neoplasms caused by enhanced antigen preservation in those neoplasms. For these reasons, we anticipate that the plastic section technique will have a wide variety of research and investigative applications.

Expression of human myeloid cell nuclear differentiation antigen (MNDA) in acute leukemias

Human myeloid cell nuclear differentiating antigen (MNDA) is a Mr 55,000 non-histone basic nuclear protein expressed in myeloid leukemia cell lines that are at late stages of differentiation (HL-60 and U937) and in normal granulocytes and monocytes, but is not present in lymphoid cells or in other human cells and tissues tested. Affinity purified monospecific polyclonal antibodies and rat monoclonal antibodies have been developed for the immunocytochemical detection of MNDA. Using these antibodies, we surveyed 21 cases of acute leukemia classified by French-American-British (FAB) Group criteria, two cases of biphenotypic acute leukemia and one case of blast crisis of chronic granulocytic leukemia for the presence of MNDA. The most intense staining reactions were present in the nuclei of two cases of acute promyelocytic (FAB M3) leukemia. MNDA was not detected in three of five cases of acute myeloblastic leukemia without maturation (FAB M1). The remaining two cases of the M1 category showed weak to moderate staining. No staining reaction was seen in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), biphenotypic leukemia or the lymphoid blast crisis of chronic granulocytic leukemia. Variable staining reactions were demonstrated in the remaining cases. These data suggest that the presence of MNDA is correlated with myeloid and monocytic differentiation in acute leukemia, being strongly expressed in M3 type, often not detected in M1 leukemia and absent in ALL.

Monomorphic lymphomas arising in patients with Hodgkin's disease. Correlation of morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular genetic findings in 12 cases

Patients with Hodgkin's Disease (HD) occasionally develop monomorphic lymphomas in which mononuclear cells, usually large in size, grow in sheets, and in which there are few reacting cells or classic Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells. Twelve patients of this type were reviewed to determine the nature of the monomorphic growth. Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from the original diagnostic HD and the monomorphic growths were stained for Leu-M1 (CD15), leukocyte common antigen (LCA, CD45), pan B-cell markers LN1, LN2, and L26, and pan T-cell marker UCHL1 (CD45R) reactive in paraffin-embedded tissues. Cases were included only if the original diagnostic material had the classic histopathologic features of HD, if there was a separate monomorphic growth (in place or time), and if sufficient materials from both phases were available for study. Original diagnoses of HD included nodular sclerosing (NS; 8 cases); lymphocyte predominant (LP; 2 cases); mixed cellularity (MC; 1 case); and lymphocyte depleted (LD: 1 case) types. RS cells in the eight cases of NS HD and one case of MC HD were generally Leu-M1 and LN2 positive, and L26, LN1, UCHL1, and LCA negative. RS cells in one case of NS HD were LCA positive in addition to Leu-M1, LN1, and LN2. Two cases of NS HD showed L26 positive RS cells. Conversely, RS cells and lymphocytic-histiocytic (L and H) variants in the cases of LP HD were Leu-M1 and LN2 negative, and LCA and LN1 positive. The one case of LD HD possessed RS cells that were negative for Leu-M1, but positive for LCA, L26, LN1, and LN2. In seven cases (4 NS, 2 LP, 1 LD) the monomorphic growths possessed a B-cell phenotype (LCA, L26, and LN1 positive; Leu-M1 and UCHL1 negative). In the remaining cases (4 NS, 1 MC), the monomorphic growths were Leu-M1 positive, and displayed phenotypes similar to the RS cells of the original NS HD. Southern blot analysis was performed on the monomorphic components of five cases and showed some form of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in each (4 cases: rearranged heavy chain-joining region gene; 1 case: rearranged Mu chain-constant region gene). Two of these cases expressed L26 and LN1 in the monomorphic phases. Despite apparent immunoglobulin gene rearrangement, one case expressed T-cell antigens Leu-4 (CD3) and Leu-1 (CD5), in addition to Leu-M1 (CD15).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Immunophenotypes of Reed-Sternberg cells: a study of 19 cases of Hodgkin's disease in plastic-embedded sections

The immunophenotype of Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells in Hodgkin's disease (HD) has not been clearly defined, partly owing to difficulties in studying RS cells in cell suspensions or identifying them with certainty in frozen sections. We studied the immunophenotype of RS cells with a recently developed plastic section immunohistochemical technique on acetone-fixed tissues that affords superior morphological detail while preserving a wide variety of lymphoid differentiation antigens. Nineteen cases of HD [16 nodular sclerosing (NS), 2 mixed cellularity (MC), and 1 lymphocyte depleted (LD)] were embedded in plastic and stained for pan-B, pan-T, and various T-subset markers, as well as leukocyte common antigen (CD45), interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (CD25), and RS cell markers CD15 and CD30. RS cells were positive for CD45, CD15, CD30, and CD25, except for 3 cases (2 NS, 1 MC) that were CD15 negative and 2 cases (NS) that were CD45 negative. In 10 cases (NS), RS cells were positive for at least two pan-T-cell markers and CD4; pan-B cell markers were uniformly negative. RS cells in 6 cases (3 NS, 2 MC, 1 LD) were positive for at least one T-cell marker (CD2) and one B-cell marker (CD22). Two cases of NSHD showed no T- or B-cell marking. These data provide further evidence that RS cells in some cases of NSHD have T-cell phenotypes and that RS cells are not homogeneous in their immunoreactivity.

Marrow involvement in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. A clinicopathologic study of 60 cases

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs), including Sézary syndrome, are generally assumed to spare the marrow until the disease is far advanced. The authors reviewed marrow sections from 60 patients with CTCL, looking carefully for aggregates of cerebriform cells, and found marrow involvement in 13 patients (21.7%); another 19 had abnormal lymphoid nodules that were not diagnostic of involvement, and 28 had marrows with negative results. Involved marrows had nodules or infiltrates of dysplastic cerebriform cells that were often subtle, without a significant increase in cellularity; only one case showed massive involvement. Patients with CTCL with an infiltrative component of marrow involvement had associated peripheral blood involvement (eight of eight), generalized erythroderma (six of eight), lymph node involvement (five of eight), visceral progression (five of eight), and significantly shortened median survival compared with patients with CTCL with negative marrows (11 months and 70 months, respectively; P = 0.007). In contrast, five patients with nodules of tumor in the marrow but lacking an infiltrative component did not have peripheral blood involvement; only one patient had adenopathy or visceral progression develop, and two patients have died. Significant hematologic abnormalities were generally absent. Eight of 13 patients with marrow involvement had advanced skin disease, but skin disease was limited to plaques in five patients. Eight patients had marrow involvement develop within three months of initial diagnosis. Thus, marrow involvement occurs in approximately 20% of patients with CTCL, is often present at initial diagnosis, and is associated with widespread dissemination and shortened survival time when an infiltrative component is present.

Malignant lymphomas of follicular centre cell origin in man. VII. Prognostic features in small cleaved cell lymphoma

To extend the clinical-pathologic description of small cleaved cell lymphoma (SCCL), we reviewed the records of 106 patients with SCCL who were treated in accordance with a policy of watchful waiting and palliative therapy. Median age was 58 years. A pure diffuse pattern was seen in only 16 per cent of cases. Stage III or IV disease was present in 85 per cent of patients; marrow involvement was noted in 60 per cent of patients. 'B' symptoms were present in 25 per cent of patients. By univariate analysis, age greater than 60, diffuse pattern, stage IV disease, involvement of liver, lung, pleura, or g-i tract, 'B' symptoms, surface heavy chain IgM or IgM-D, and LDH greater than 200 IU/dl were found to be significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Marrow involvement, increased (5-25 per cent) transformed (non-cleaved) cells, and surface light chain had no prognostic significance. By multivariate analysis, only age greater than 60, stage IV disease, and LDH greater than 200 IU/dl were prognostically significant. For patients with all three unfavourable prognostic features, median survival was only 11 months. For patients with age less than or equal to 60, stage I, II, or III disease, and LDH less than or equal to 200 IU/dl, median survival was not reached at 180 months. Recognition of prognostic features in indolent lymphoma can help clarify whether the results of treatment protocols represent true advances or the mere selection of favourable patients.

Response of neoplasms of B cell lineage to the proliferative effects of B cell growth factor and the phorbol ester TPA

Little information is available regarding the role of soluble growth factors in neoplastic B cell proliferation. The authors have measured B cell growth factor (BCGF)-induced proliferation in B lymphocytes isolated from 28 patients with malignancies representing different stages of B cell differentiation. The phorbol ester TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate), a potent mitogen and inducer of BCGF receptor expression in normal B cells, was added in combination with BCGF to enhance the proliferative response. These results show that many neoplastic B cells are able to respond to BCGF (32%), particularly when combined with TPA (63%). The response was variable in frequency and magnitude within clinicopathologic groups; cells from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were more refractory to stimulation than those from acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). An attenuated response to BCGF plus TPA was observed in neoplastic cells with high rates of spontaneous DNA synthesis from all histologic categories. These observations suggest that some maximally stimulated cells appear incapable of responding to additional exogenous growth stimuli. Within apparently homogeneous clinicopathologic groups, distinct subgroups of B cell neoplasms can be defined by cellular responses to BCGF. The correlation of this biologic feature with the clinical behavior of the neoplasm requires additional study.

Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system. A report of 20 cases and a review of the literature

Twenty patients with primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS) were seen at Vanderbilt and its affiliated hospitals between 1974 and 1986. Histologically, the most common subtypes were large, noncleaved cell lymphoma and immunoblastic lymphoma of B cells. However, multiple histologies were identified. Lesions most commonly involved the frontal lobes and/or deep nuclei. Positive cerebrospinal fluid cytology was rare at initial presentation. Seventeen patients were treated with surgical biopsy or resection followed by whole brain radiotherapy at a median dose of 5,000 cGy (range: 3,000-5,600 cGy). Seven patients have been followed for less than 12 months since diagnosis. Of the remaining patients, 7 (54%) survived at least 1 year. The extent of surgery performed, dose of radiotherapy administered, subclass of lymphoma diagnosed, or location(s) of involvement within the CNS did not influence survival. Treatment rarely caused a dramatic improvement in performance status despite objective signs of response. New treatment strategies are needed to improve the management of these tumors.