The origin of the Sternberg cell

The Sternberg cell, the malignant cell of Hodgkin's disease, remains of uncertain nature 80 years after it was first described. Numerous hypotheses have been advanced as to its origin: that it derives from the macrophages, B lymphocyte, T lymphocyte, interdigitating reticulum cell or even from an as yet unidentified cell-line. We here review these various hypotheses, as well as the different techniques used for its study. The morphologic, ultrastructural, histochemical and immunologic studies are discussed in detail.