Lymph Node Fine-Needle Cytology: Beyond Flow Cytometry.

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Cytopathology

Background:

• Lymph node fine-needle cytology (FNC) combined with flow cytometry is crucial for diagnosing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
• FNC samples are increasingly recognized for their suitability in various molecular analyses.
• This review evaluates molecular procedures commonly used for NHL diagnosis in FNC samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and evaluate molecular procedures applicable to lymph node fine-needle cytology for non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis.
• To discuss the role of both traditional and high-throughput molecular technologies in FNC analysis for NHL.

Main Methods:

• Description of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH).
• Overview of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based assays for detecting mutations and translocations (e.g., IGH, TCR rearrangements, IGVH mutations).
• Introduction to high-throughput technologies (HTT) including gene expression profiling, CGH, SNP arrays, and next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Main Results:

• Various molecular techniques, from PCR to HTT, can be effectively applied to FNC samples.
• These methods aid in identifying clonality, mutations, and translocations critical for NHL diagnosis.
• HTT offers rapid, reproducible, and multiplexed molecular investigation of FNC samples.

Conclusions:

• FNC, augmented by molecular techniques, represents a powerful tool for NHL diagnosis.
• The integration of advanced molecular technologies into FNC practice is essential for future diagnostic advancements.
• Leveraging the inherent qualities of FNC with new technologies will enhance its diagnostic utility in lymphoma.