A case of CD45-negative diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in thyroid gland

Tohru Inaba1, Hiroshi Nishimura, Junko Saito

  • 1Department of Infection Control and Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. inaba178@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp

Laboratory Hematology : Official Publication of the International Society for Laboratory Hematology
|July 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

This study reports a rare case of CD45-negative non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the thyroid. CD45 is typically found on blood cells and most hematologic cancers, making this case unusual.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • CD45, or leukocyte common antigen (LCA), is a protein tyrosine phosphatase widely expressed on hematopoietic cells.
  • Its expression is a common marker in hematologic malignancies, aiding in diagnosis and classification.
  • However, variable CD45 expression is observed in certain leukemias and multiple myeloma.

Observation:

  • A rare case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) affecting the thyroid gland was identified.
  • This specific NHL case exhibited a distinct lack of CD45 expression.
  • The patient presented with a thyroid mass confirmed as CD45-negative NHL.

Findings:

  • The study documents an unusual instance of CD45-negative non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • This finding challenges the typical expression patterns of CD45 in hematologic malignancies.
  • The thyroid gland was the primary site of this rare CD45-negative NHL.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering CD45-negative variants in diagnosing hematologic malignancies, even in extranodal sites like the thyroid.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the biology and clinical behavior of CD45-negative NHL.
  • Diagnostic protocols for lymphoma should account for potential CD45-negative cases, especially in thyroid presentations.

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