Variation in the histological pattern of nodal involvement by gamma/delta T-cell lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
Gamma-delta (gammadelta) T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) usually present with liver, spleen and marrow infiltration. Lymph node involvement by gammadelta T-cell NHL has been rarely documented so far; its histological pattern needs to be further defined.


RESULTS
Two cases of nodal gammadelta T-cell NHL are reported: case 1, a 44-year-old man, presented with cytomegalovirus retinitis and superficial lymphadenopathies. Histological analysis of an inguinal lymph node showed complete destruction by a diffuse pleomorphic lymphoid proliferation, which was positive for CD2, CD3, CD43, CD45, TIA-1 and granzyme B, and displayed a gammadelta phenotype (deltaTCR1+, Vdelta1+, Vdelta2-, Vdelta3-, betaF1-). Bone marrow was normal. Case 2, a male 24-year-old patient with a history of renal transplantation, presented with hepatosplenomegaly and supraclavicular lymph node enlargement. Lymph node architecture was globally preserved. Peripheral sinuses contained scattered nests of medium-sized irregular lymphoid cells. Bone-marrow was infiltrated. Phenotype showed positivity for CD2, CD3, CD45 and TIA1 and expression of gammadelta TCR (deltaTCR1+, deltaV1+, deltaV2-, deltaV3-, betaF1-). Both patients died a short time after diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations suggest that at least two forms of nodal gammadelta T-cell NHL may be encountered: one mimicking classical alphabeta T-cell NHL, with diffuse pleomorphic cell proliferation, and one displaying sinusoidal neoplastic infiltration suggesting a close relationship with hepatosplenic gammadelta T-cell NHL.
Charton-Bain
M C
MC
Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France.
Brousset
P
P
Bouabdallah
R
R
Gaulard
P
P
Merlio
J P
JP
Dubus
P
P
Rostaing
L
L
de Roux
C
C
Weiller
P J
PJ
Hassoun
J
J
Xerri
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology
D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta