Benign glandular lymph node inclusions

Benign glandular inclusions may be encountered during frozen section examination in lymph nodes of middle-aged patients undergoing abdominal surgery. In the usual case, the inclusions are few, involve a single node, are located in capsule or fibrous septum, and have an absolute benign appearance. Rarely, the inclusions are numerous, are located in the lymphoid parenchyma, and may simulate metastatic adenocarcinoma. Consideration of clinicopathologic features may be helpful in this situation. In the majority of patients with a previous history of malignancy, the tumor is of squamous cell type. Extrapelvic location and occurrence in males is exceptional. Coexistence of metastatic tumor and inclusions may be seen. A case of squamous metaplasia in an inclusion is illustrated.