title: [Flow cytometry for the study of mediastinal tumors with abundant lymphoid elements].
abstract: The anterior mediastinum is a common site of tumors with abundant lymphoid elements. Flow cytometry is a useful complementary technique to analyze this type of tumors, which provides qualitative and quantitative information. A differential diagnosis can be sometimes made between thymoma and precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL). Correct identification is of utmost importance for patient treatment. A total of 38 mediastinal tumors were analyzed, and samples were separated for flow cytometry. Flow cytometry data from thymomas and normal thymic tissue were compared with 42 cases of T-LBL from other anatomical locations. Among 38 mediastinal tumors, we found 6 benign lesions, 9 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), 10 Hodgkin lymphomas (HL), 11 thymomas and 2 T-LL. Flow cytometry provided positive information in 24 cases, and defined lymphoid neoplastic cells immunophenotype or the typical lymphocytes accompanying thymomas. Flow cytometry helped differentiate 10 cases of HL and 4 benign lesions from other lymphomas (DLBCL, T-LBL, etc.). CD3, CD4 and CD8 expressions were most useful for the differential diagnosis of thymomas and T-LL. To conclude, flow cytometry is a valid complementary technique, which promptly provides information on mediastinal lesions, requiring small quantities of tissue for both early diagnosis and follow up of these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Patología, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas (CEMIC), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vides Almonacid
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Denninghoff
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avagnina
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Castiglioni
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elsner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013945:Thymoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens