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Immunological techniques to differentiate lymphoma from other malignancies
E E Morse1, H T Yamase, B R Greenberg
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center/John Dempsey Hospital, Farmington 06030.
Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Immunoperoxidase staining and flow cytometry are valuable pathology techniques for diagnosing lymph nodes and masses. Immunoperoxidase is crucial for detecting minor lymphoma infiltration, while flow cytometry aids rapid lymphoma diagnosis in specific cases.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Flow Cytometry
Background:
- Immunoperoxidase staining and flow cytometry are key diagnostic tools in pathology laboratories.
- Evaluating the comparative utility of these techniques is essential for optimizing diagnostic workflows.
Observation:
- Seven patients with lymph nodes or masses underwent examination by both immunoperoxidase staining and flow cytometry.
- Immunoperoxidase staining utilized antibodies against Leukocyte Common Antigen (LCA), Epithelial Membrane Antigen (EMA), Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE), Leu M1, B4, chromagrafin, and synaptosin.
- Flow cytometry provided rapid results in two of seven cases but was less effective for Hodgkin's disease and solid tumors.
Findings:
- Immunoperoxidase staining successfully established diagnoses in all seven patients.
- Flow cytometry was diagnostic in two cases, particularly useful for rapid lymphoma diagnosis when samples had high cellularity of involved tissue.
- Flow cytometry failed to detect abnormalities in Hodgkin's disease and solid tumors.
- Immunoperoxidase staining was superior in identifying minor infiltrations of lymphoma cells in lymph nodes.
Implications:
- Immunoperoxidase staining remains indispensable for detecting subtle neoplastic infiltrates, especially in lymphoma.
- Flow cytometry offers speed advantages for specific lymphoma diagnoses when sample quality is adequate.
- Combined application or judicious selection of these techniques enhances diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in surgical pathology.