ISSN:
1365-2559
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Aims : To describe the features of a series of nine cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) showing morphological and immunophenotypic features that are intermediate with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL).Methods and results : Most cases (6/9) presented as mediastinal tumours affecting young males, while the other three cases arose in extramediastinal locations. Histopathologically, tumours showed diffuse large cell areas in a polymorphous background, with pleomorphic cytology and the common presence of Hodgkin's and Reed–Sternberg cells. Immunophenotypically, tumours shared features of DLBCL and classical HL, with expression of CD30, CD15 (6/9), and a full B-cell profile including CD45RB, CD20, CD79a and OCT2. Epstein–Barr virus–latent membrane protein expression was found in 2/9 cases. The majority of tumours had immunohistochemical features consistent with activation of the NF-κB pathway, including nuclear location of the c-REL/p65 subunit, overexpression of phosphorylated IκBα, and overexpression of NF-κB targets. Finally, 2/9 cases showed 3q27 (BCL6) rearrangement, and 1/9 had p53 gene mutations, both of which are rarely detected in classical HL.Conclusions : These findings suggest that DLBCLs with HL features constitute a distinctive subgroup of aggressive lymphomas whose neoplastic growth and peculiar characteristics could be facilitated by a particular microenvironment found in the mediastinum.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2559.2005.02175.x
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