[Lymphoblastic lymphomas in children. Their recognizability as T- or B-cell neoplasms in histologic slides (routine...

Sections of lymph node and tumor biopsies from 60 patients (51 children, 9 adults) with lymphoblastic lymphoma (lbL) were examined in a bind trial to determine whether the subtype of lbL can be diagnosed on the basis of morphologic criteria alone The diagnoses made in this trial were correct in 18 of 20 cases (adults and children) that had been classified as T-, B-, or non-T/non-B-lbL by immunologic, cytochemical (DAP IV, or virologic (EBV) analysis. In 48 of the 51 children, the subclassification made in the blind trial agreed with the definitive diagnosis. In addition to the results of the blind trial, the morphologic characteristics of T- and B-lbL are presented and the diagnostic value of cytochemical staining for acid phosphates is discussed.