Splenic B-Cell Lymphomas/Leukemias

The diagnosis and classification of lymphoproliferative disorders in the spleen are frequently challenging. While some lymphomas, such as hairy cell leukemia and splenic marginal zone lymphoma, characteristically present with primarily splenic involvement, secondary involvement of the spleen may be seen with any lymphoma. Precise classification requires integration of the morphologic findings with clinical data, phenotypic studies, and often cytogenetic and/or molecular genetic analysis. Correlation with the findings in peripheral blood and bone marrow may also be required in some cases. This article discusses the diagnostic approach to splenic-based lymphoproliferative disorders in routine practice and describes the clinicopathologic features of lymphoid neoplasms that characteristically present in the spleen.