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Signet-ring cells in a Waldenström's Macroglobulinaemia
T Molero1, S De La Iglesia, C Santana
1Department of Haematology, Hospital Universitario Ntra. Sra. del Pino, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Leukemia & Lymphoma
|February 26, 1999
Summary
This report details the first known case of Waldenström's Macroglobulinaemia presenting with signet-ring cells in the bone marrow. These neoplastic cells express kappa immunoglobulin light chain, CD45, and CD19, aiding in diagnosis and differentiation from other tumors.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Immunopathology
Background:
- Waldenström's Macroglobulinaemia (WM) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by malignant B cells producing monoclonal IgM.
- Bone marrow involvement is typical in WM, but specific morphological variants can pose diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A unique case of WM is presented with the presence of signet-ring cells within the bone marrow.
- These signet-ring cells exhibited intracytoplasmic inclusions staining positive for kappa immunoglobulin light chain via immunohistochemistry.
Findings:
- The neoplastic cells were confirmed as B-cell in origin, expressing CD45 and CD19.
- Gene rearrangement studies and immunohistochemistry were crucial for diagnosing WM and identifying the signet-ring cell morphology.
Implications:
- This finding expands the known morphological spectrum of Waldenström's Macroglobulinaemia.
- Accurate diagnosis requires specific immunostaining to differentiate these signet-ring cells from non-haemopoietic tumors.