Elsevier

Human Pathology

Volume 22, Issue 4, April 1991, Pages 331-338
Human Pathology

Original contribution
Bone marrow histologic and immunohistochemical findings in peripheral T-cell lymphoma: A study of 38 cases

https://doi.org/10.1016/0046-8177(91)90081-YGet rights and content

Abstract

The histologic and immunohistochemical findings in bone marrow (BM) biopsies from 38 patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) are reported. Routine light microscopy showed that BM involvement was unequivocal in 12 cases and question-able in 14 cases. There was no histologic evidence of lymphoma in the remaining 12 cases. Immunohistochemistry performed on BM frozen sections demonstrated the T-cell origin of the infiltrating lymphoid cells in 24 of the 26 patients with unequivocal or questionable involvement. The malignant nature of these cells was suggested by demonstration of an aberrant T-cell phenotype identical to that observed in the other sites of involvement. In addition, in four of the 12 cases with apparently normal BM at routine light microscopy, immunohistochemistry revealed a minimal but phenotypically abnormal T-cell population, suggesting mild infiltration by lymphoma. These combined histologic and immunohistochemical data documented a high incidence (73%) of BM involvement by PTCL. In addition, a very peculiar sinusal pattern of BM involvement was found in five patients who presented an unusual type of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma expressing the γδ T-cell receptor. The present study demonstrates the high incidence of BM involvement by PTCL and emphasizes the value of frozen section immunohistochemistry to establish this diagnosis, especially when routine light microscopy findings are questionable.

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    Supported by Grant No. 1169/R1 from the Université Paris Val de Marne, Créteil, France.

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