title: Evolution of B-cell lymphoma from pseudolymphoma. A multidisciplinary approach using histology, immunohistochemistry, and Southern blot analysis.
abstract: Cutaneous B-cell lymphomas are rare neoplasms that can present as lesions involving solely the skin or develop in association with a systemic lymphoma. Histologically they are often difficult to differentiate from pseudolymphomas, and the use of immunohistochemistry may be necessary to correctly classify them. We report a study of multiple skin lesions in a patient who initially presented with multiple pseudolymphomas, apparently associated with an immune response to the dye of his tattoos. Over a period of 4 years his skin lesions evolved from histologically benign and immunologically polyclonal pseudolymphomas to a histologically malignant and immunologically monoclonal B-cell large cell lymphoma. Genotypic analysis with a probe for the heavy-chain immunoglobulin gene demonstrated the presence of clonal B-cell populations in all of the pseudolymphoma biopsy samples as well as in the subsequent lymphoma tissue samples, with a pattern of clonal bands suggestive of evolution of the B-cell clones. These findings suggest that the development of B-cell lymphoma in this patient was related to a persistent abnormal immune response to the chronic antigenic stimulus of the dye of the tattoo. The presence of clonal B-cell populations in pseudolymphoma by Southern blot analysis may be useful in predicting those patients who will subsequently develop overt lymphoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Sangueza
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Braziel
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects