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Blastic variant of mantle‐cell lymphoma: Cytomorphologic, immunocytochemical, and molecular genetic features of tissue obtained by fine‐needle aspiration biopsy
Author(s) -
Hughes Jonathan H.,
Caraway Nancy P.,
Katz Ruth L.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0339(199807)19:1<59::aid-dc12>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - medicine , fine needle aspiration , pathology , mantle cell lymphoma , biopsy , lymphoma , immunocytochemistry , cytopathology , mantle (geology) , cytology , biology , paleontology
Mantle‐cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare type of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma that has a moderately aggressive clinical course, generally between that of low‐grade and of intermediate‐grade lymphomas. However, a small subset of MCLs, the so‐called “blastic” variant, exhibits a poor prognosis and an aggressive clinical course. We describe a case of blastic MCL that occurred in a 64‐yr‐old man and that was diagnosed and accurately subclassified as blastic MCL on the basis of a fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. The aspirate smears showed a monotonous population of intermediate‐sized lymphocytes with irregular nuclear contours, finely dispersed nuclear chromatin, and inconspicuous nucleoli. Material was obtained by FNA for ancillary studies (immunocytochemical stains, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, image analysis, and molecular studies) that supported the diagnosis of blastic MCL. Surgical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. These findings underscore the utility of FNA in diagnosing lymphomas, particularly when the cytomorphologic examination is combined with appropriate ancillary studies. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998;19:59–62. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.