title: Node-based T cell lymphoma. The clinical, immunological and morphological spectrum.
abstract: Four cases of node-based T cell lymphoma are presented. The tumours had 2 distinct morphologic patterns. Two cases showed a polymorphous proliferation of pleomorphic lymphoid cells, small lymphocytes, epithelioid cells and arborizing small vessels while the others displayed a monomorphous infiltrate of large atypical lymphoid cells characterized by granular nuclei with numerous tortuous folds to produce a 'squiggly' appearance. One case showed a progression from one histological pattern to the other. Confirmation of the T cell nature of these lymphomas was based on the demonstration of E-rosette formation by morphologically atypical lymphoid cells which also stained positive for acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase activity. The patients had an average age of 52 yr and presented with a variable distribution of lymphadenopathy and a predominance of extranodal involvement. Two cases disclosed hypergammaglobulinaemia, one of whom had a paraproteinaemia of IgM-k type. All patients responded poorly to standard combination chemotherapy, 2 expiring 48 and 53 mth after onset of symptoms.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011951:Receptors, Complement; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D014747:Vinblastine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide