T and B cell populations in blood and lymph node in lymphoproliferative disease.
Lymph node and peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied simultaneously for surface markers of T and B cells in 22 patients with lymphoproliferative diseases and 8 patients with non-neoplastic lymphadenopathy. This resulted in the classification of the malignancy from involved lymph nodes into 4 groups. Six patients had B cell lymphomata with normal or strong immunofluorescent staining for surface membrane immunoglobulin; 8 patients had B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with pale staining for surface membrane immunoglobulin; 5 patients had T cell lymphomata and 3 patients were not definitely classifiable. In 6 out of 8 patients with B cell CLL, histopathology of lymph nodes showed infiltration with well differentiated lymphocytes and in all T cell lymphomata, the infiltrating cells were poorly differentiated. By the use of these markers, malignant lymphocytes were identified in the circulation in only 3 out of 6 patients with B cell lymphoma, in all patients with B cell CLL but in none of those with T cell lymphoma or unclassifiable lymphoma. Therefore a more conclusive characterization of the malignant lymphocyte in lymphoproliferative diseases must include an examination of involved lymph nodes.
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology