[Clinicopathologic features of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified with follicular pattern].
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinicopathologic features of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (PTL-U) with follicular pattern.


METHODS
The clinical data, hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of lymph node biopsies and follow-up data of 18 cases of PTL-U associated with follicular growth pattern were reviewed and studied. Eight cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia were used as controls. Semi-quantitative observation by retiform micrometer rule was carried out. Immunohistochemical study was also performed in all cases. T-cell receptor and immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement studies were conducted by polymerase chain reaction-based method.


RESULTS
The median age of the patients was 53 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.57:1 in lymphoma group. All of the lymphoma patients presented with superficial lymphadenopathy, with (8/18) or without B symptoms. Histologically, the lymphoma was characterized by follicles of various sizes and shapes. The T zones were expanded by medium-sized lymphoma cells which contained clear cytoplasm and irregular nuclei. Mitotic figures were commonly identified. Immunohistochemical study confirmed that the lymphoma cells were of T-lineage. The proliferative index, as highlighted by Ki-67, was higher [average = (38.24 +/- 13.42)%/mm2] than that in the control group. T-cell receptor gene rearrangement was demonstrated in 71.4% (10/14) of the lymphoma cases.


CONCLUSIONS
A definitive diagnosis of PTL-U with follicular pattern can be made on the basis of morphologic examination, immunohistochemical assessment and clinical features. Cases with atypical features can further be delineated by molecular analysis. Long-term follow up of these patients is prudent.
Wang
Wei
W
Department of Pathology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin 300020, China.
Ji
Fu-shui
FS
Chen
Hui-shu
HS
Zhang
Nai-xin
NX
Zhang
Shu-ying
SY
Zhang
Liang
L
Liu
En-bin
EB
Yang
Qing-ying
QY
Fang
Li-huan
LH
Sun
Fu-jun
FJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000473:pathology; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016411:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012074:Remission Induction; D055815:Young Adult
D017252:CD3 Complex; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen