[Clinicopathological Characteristics of Follicular Lymphoma with a Predominantly Diffuse Growth Pattern]

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a common indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• A rare variant, diffuse follicular lymphoma (DFL), presents with predominantly diffuse growth, posing diagnostic challenges.
• Understanding DFL's unique clinicopathological features is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of a patient with diffuse follicular lymphoma (DFL).
• To enhance understanding of this rare lymphoma variant and aid in its accurate recognition.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of a single patient's clinical and pathological data, including morphology, immunophenotype, and molecular genetics.
• Review of relevant medical literature on diffuse follicular lymphoma.

Main Results:

• A 43-year-old female presented with a 4-year history of right inguinal lymphadenopathy.
• Microscopic evaluation revealed diffuse proliferation with centrocytes and scattered centroblasts; immunohistochemistry was positive for CD10, BCL-6, and CD23, negative for BCL-2.
• FISH and clonality analyses ruled out specific genetic alterations, and the patient achieved complete remission after radiotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Diffuse follicular lymphoma (DFL) is a rare subtype with distinct features that can mimic other lymphomas, necessitating careful diagnosis.
• Accurate identification of DFL is critical to prevent misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate treatment.
• DFL typically presents with low histological grade, early stage, and a favorable prognosis.