Cytology of Ki-1 (CD-30) positive large cell lymphoma

To study the cytomorphology of Ki-1 (CD-30) positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma, imprints and fine needle aspirates from a total of 20 of these tumours were collected. The results show that these tumours have a highly pleomorphic and variable picture, which can be easily confused with other poorly differentiated large cell tumours. Typical morphological differences between the B-cell and T-cell variety were found. B-cell tumours more often showed nuclear multilobation, a fine, hypochromatic chromatin pattern, and many lymphoglandular bodies. T-cell tumours more often displayed multinucleation, window nuclei, and a hyperchromatic coarse chromatin pattern. The diagnosis of anaplastic large cell Ki-1 positive lymphoma, B-cell type or T-cell type, should be included in the differential diagnosis of any large cell tumour of uncertain origin with mainly dissociated tumour cells. Immunocytochemistry is recommended to establish the correct diagnosis.