title: Morphological classification of malignant lymphomas: ultrastructural, cytochemical and immunological results.
abstract: Except for tumors clearly producing immunoglobulin (e.g. plasma-cytoma), the different classes of malignant lymphomas do not correlate with a constant surface immunoglobulin pattern. Beside a prevailing IgM-surface type in a high number of different lymphoma classes even T-like or O-cells occur in most tumor types provided they are studied in a sufficient number. The possibility of dedifferentiation of immunologic cell qualities has to be envisaged. In this context intracellular lambda-chain crystals occurring in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia may provide a morphological hallmark of anaplastic deterioration of immunoglobulin synthesis. - The ambiguous significance of PAS-positive inclusions and virus-like microtubular complexes in lymphoma cells is discussed. - In conclusion the recent discovery of hairy cell leukaemia provides a good example of the value of nomenclatures based on empiricism rather than on short-lived theories.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006003:Glycogen / Q000032:analysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007181:Inclusion Bodies, Viral; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000382:microbiology; D007952:Leukemia, Plasma Cell / Q000032:analysis; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D006003:Glycogen