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Published on: September 30, 2009
DNA polymerase chain reaction using fine needle aspiration biopsy smears to evaluate non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
1Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri 63104, USA. grossole@slu.edu
Insights
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) samples aids in diagnosing malignant lymphomas. This molecular technique provides valuable data for staging non-Hodgkin
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Oncology
Background:
- Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a common diagnostic tool for lymphoid proliferations.
- Accurate diagnosis and staging of malignant lymphomas are crucial for effective treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on archived fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimens.
- To assess the diagnostic and staging information provided by PCR in malignant lymphoma cases.
Main Methods:
- Archived FNAB specimens from 37 malignant lymphoma cases were analyzed.
- Immunophenotypic data from FNAB and excisional biopsies were compared.
- PCR was used to detect immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements, T-cell receptor gene rearrangements, and bcl-1/bcl-2 translocations.
Main Results:
- PCR assays detected malignant lymphoma in 78% of cases.
- Concordant results between FNAB PCR and excisional biopsy DNA analysis were observed in 70% of cases.
- Discordant results were often attributed to false-negative DNA analysis in excisional biopsy material.
Conclusions:
- PCR analysis of archived FNAB material is a valuable tool for diagnosing and staging malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
- This molecular approach can supplement traditional diagnostic methods when needed.
- PCR offers reliable genetic information for lymphoma evaluation.
Objective:
To apply polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to the fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) evaluation of lymphoid proliferations.
Study Design:
We analyzed 37 consecutive archived FNAB malignant lymphoma specimens. Immunophenotypic data from the fine needle aspiration biopsy and excisional biopsy material was available for all specimens. PCR to identify monoclonal rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene, T-cell receptor and translocations involving the bcl-1 and bcl-2 genes was performed.
Results:
Seventy-eight percent of cases were detected by at least one of these assays. Where DNA analysis was performed on excisional biopsy material, 70% of the cases had identical results; no discordant results for the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene or T-cell receptor were found. In 23% of cases, after review of all available data, a discordant result was thought to be a consequence of a false negative result in DNA analysis of excisional biopsy material.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that PCR analysis of archived FNAB material, when necessary, provides useful information for diagnosis and staging of malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
