title: Polymerase chain reaction-based clonality analysis of cutaneous B-cell lymphoproliferative processes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The differential diagnosis of B-cell lymphoproliferative processes remains a challenge for pathologists, dermatologists and oncologists, despite advances in histology, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate aid and limitations of clonality analysis in the diagnosis of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas and B-cell pseudolymphomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 29 cases of B-cell lymphoproliferative processes classified as primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (13), B-cell pseudolymphomas (6) and inconclusive cases (10) using histology and immunohistochemistry. The clonality analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction analysis of immunoglobulin light chain and heavy chain rearrangements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DNA quality was shown to be generally poor; eight samples were inadequate for polymerase chain reaction analysis. The results showed monoclonality in eight of the primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas and polyclonality in four of the B-cell pseudolymphomas. In addition, monoclonality was shown in two of the inconclusive cases by histology and immunohistochemistry, demonstrating the utility of polymerase chain reaction as an ancillary diagnostic tool for primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low quality DNA extracted from these cases demanded the use of an IgH protocol that yielded small fragments and IgK. Both methods used together improved detection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the two protocols, immunoglobulin heavy chain FR3-trad and immunoglobulin light chain-Kappa Biomed protocols for clonality analysis improved diagnostic accuracy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo - São Paulo/SP, Brazil. claudia@coriumdermatologia.com.br
authors.forename: Claudia Z
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Melotti
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda Carriel
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Amary
authors.forename: Miriam Nacagami
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Sotto
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Diss
authors.forename: Jose Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sanches
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000235:genetics; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019310:Pseudolymphoma / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains