Related Experiment Videos
Cytologic features of plasmablastic lymphoma.
Oscar Lin1, Rene Gerhard, Maria C N Zerbini
1Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA. lino@mskcc.org
Cancer
|April 2, 2005
Summary
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a large cell lymphoma with varied cell appearance but a distinct immunophenotype. Identifying CD138 expression aids in diagnosing PBL, even in non-HIV patients and diverse body sites.
Area of Science:
- Hematopathology
- Cytopathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) initially described in HIV-positive individuals with head/neck involvement.
- PBL now recognized in non-HIV patients and extranodal sites.
- PBL exhibits heterogeneous morphology but a distinct immunophenotype.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytologic features of Plasmablastic Lymphoma.
- To identify key diagnostic criteria in cytologic specimens.
- To highlight the utility of immunophenotyping in PBL diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cytologic features from four histologically confirmed PBL cases.
- Evaluation of cellularity, cell morphology, chromatin, nucleoli, and mitotic activity.
- Ancillary immunophenotypic studies (CD138, CD20).
Main Results:
- Specimens included head/neck FNA, anal smear, and CSF.
- Atypical lymphocytes showed pleomorphism, variable cytoplasm, round nuclei, and prominent nucleoli.
- CD138 expression with CD20 negativity was observed in two cases.
Conclusions:
- PBL is a large cell lymphoma variant with diverse cytologic findings and a specific immunophenotype.
- Recognizing the cytomorphologic spectrum is crucial for diagnosis.
- CD138 expression is a key diagnostic marker for PBL.