Splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes with CD5+, CD11c+ B-cell phenotype

A 64-year-old male suffered from splenomegaly without lymphadenopathy. His WBC count on admission was 6.1 x 10(9)/l with 55% abnormal lymphocytes. No monoclonal gammopathy was detected. Abnormal cells shown in films usually had relatively abundant cytoplasm with serrated edges. Under phase-contrast microscopy, the cells displayed short, needle-like processes. The immunophenotype of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were CD19+, CD20+, CD11c+, FMC7+, CD5+, CD10-, CD25- and SIg+. The spleen histology showed a distinctive pattern of white pulp infiltration by abnormal lymphocytes with features of plasma cell differentiation. These findings were compatible with the features of splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes.