[Molecular cytogenetic approach on malignant lymphoma]

Diagnosis of malignant lymphoma is often complicated by difficulties in distinguishing histologically from reactive or benign lymphoadenopathy. The clonality of the lymphoma cells by a cytogenetic analysis can provide a useful criterion for the diagnosis of lymphoma. Cytogenic studies on lymphoma have shown many chromosome translocations and deletions. Molecular analysis revealed the Ig gene or T cell receptor gene rearrangements in DNAs from lymphoma. In t(14;18) cases, it was amplified as a translocation-specific fragment by PCR. These findings indicated that chromosome and gene rearrangement analysis may be useful for lymphoma cells, especially for making a clinical diagnosis.