title: Circulating cerebriform lymphoid cells (Sezary-type cells) in a B-cell malignant lymphoma.
abstract: Circulating cerebriform lymphoid cells (Sezary cells) are considered to be highly predictive of cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL). A leukemic peripheral blood (leukocyte count 24.5 x 10(9)/l) composed predominantly of cerebriform cells was found in a 75-year-old man presenting with weight loss and generalized lymphadenopathy but without skin lesions. Cell suspensions studies and immunohistochemistry of peripheral blood revealed that the cerebriform cells were B-cells (IgM+ Kappa+, HLA DR+, Leu 1+, CALLA-, B1+, and OKT 10+). A variety of T-cell markers (other than Leu1) was negative. Computer-assisted morphometry confirmed a nuclear profile typical of CTCL (mean nuclear contour index, 7.47). A lymph node that underwent subsequent biopsy revealed a follicular malignant lymphoma of small to intermediate cells with similar morphologic and immunologic characteristics to the circulating cerebriform cells. The findings of a leukemic presentation of a cerebriform B-cell lymphoma extends the recent observation of nodal B-cell lymphomas composed of cerebriform cells and indicates that circulating cerebriform cells should not be considered to be exclusively of T-cell origin.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone