Ki67 staining pattern as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of lymphoproliferative disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a group of lymphoid proliferations using only Ki67-stained slides to determine the value of the pattern of proliferating cells in diagnosis. Ki67 immunohistochemistry allows evaluation of the distribution of proliferating cells in addition to simply determining the proliferation rate of cells.


RESULTS
Three observers, using a Ki67-stained slide only, studied 149 cases from five diagnostic groupings: follicular hyperplasia, mixed pattern hyperplasia, localized Castleman's disease, follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. The sensitivity for benign lesions varied from 94% to 97% among the three observers. Follicular lymphomas were recognized as neoplastic with a sensitivity of 96% and 100% by two of the observers. Marginal zone lymphoma was recognized as neoplastic in 67-73% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The Ki67 stain alone is a powerful tool for distinguishing benign from malignant proliferations within the selected groups. Nuances and pitfalls in the interpretation of Ki67 staining pattern are discussed.
Bryant
R J
RJ
Department of Pathology, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA. ronald.bryant@vtmednet.org
Banks
P M
PM
O'Malley
D P
DP
D005871:Castleman Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015588:Observer Variation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen