Lymphoblastic lymphoma expressing natural killer cell phenotype with involvement of the mediastinum and nasal cavity.
Most CD56+ lymphomas display polymorphic and angiocentric/angiodestructive histologic features and are closely related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. We report a 47-year-old Japanese man with CD56+ lymphoma that showed histologic features of lymphoblastic lymphoma with mediastinal and nasal involvement and an aggressive course. A sample specimen showed the histology of lymphoblastic lymphoma with a positive reaction for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) but no angiocentric/angiodestructive features. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a few membrane-bound electron-dense granules in their cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, lymphoma cells exhibited CD56+ cytoplasmic CD3 (cCD3)+ TdT+. A Southern blot analysis showed no integration of EBV and human T-lymphotrophic virus 1 (HTLV-1) and no rearrangement of the T-cell receptors or immunoglobulin heavy chain genes. This unusual lymphoblastic lymphoma exhibiting cCD3 + CD56 + TdT + TCR- is assumed as an immature or progenitor natural killer cell lineage.
Koita
H
H
Department of Pathology, Miyazaki Prefectural Nobeoka Hospital, Japan.
Suzumiya
J
J
Ohshima
K
K
Takeshita
M
M
Kimura
N
N
Kikuchi
M
M
Koono
M
M
D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004253:DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D015703:Antigens, CD; D004253:DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase