Mantle cell lymphoma: a cytopathological and immunocytochemical study

D Gagneten1, Y M Hijazi, E S Jaffe

  • 1Laboratory of Pathology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Diagnostic Cytopathology
|February 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cytopathologic review of MCL specimens reveals key morphologic and immunocytochemical features for diagnosis, including central nervous system involvement.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Cytopathology

Background:

  • Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare non-Hodgkin's lymphoma originating from the lymphoid follicle cuff.
  • Established histopathologic and immunophenotypic features exist, but cytopathologic studies are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the cytopathologic features of MCL in collected specimens.
  • To evaluate the utility of immunocytochemistry in diagnosing MCL from cytologic samples.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 24 MCL-positive specimens from 8 patients (1989-1993).
  • Specimens included pleural effusions, cerebrospinal fluids (CSF), and fine-needle aspirations.
  • Morphologic analysis using Diff-Quik staining and immunocytochemistry.

Main Results:

  • CSF involvement occurred in 37.5% of patients and correlated with disease progression.
  • Key morphologic findings: monotonous small atypical lymphoid cells, enlarged grooved nuclei, coarse chromatin, small nucleoli, scant cytoplasm.
  • Immunocytochemistry showed pan-B-cell markers, light-chain restriction, and CD5 positivity.

Conclusions:

  • Specific morphologic and immunocytochemical features allow for the suggestion of MCL diagnosis on cytologic specimens.
  • Cytopathology plays a role in diagnosing MCL, particularly in effusions and CSF.

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