A clinicopathological study of nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. A report on 21 cases

• Published in: Histopathology Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 162 - 173
• Main Authors: Traverse-Glehen, A, Felman, P, Callet-Bauchu, E, Gazzo, S, Baseggio, L, Bryon, P A, Thieblemont, C, Coiffier, B, Salles, G, Berger, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.01.2006; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antigens, CD20 - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Marrow - pathology; cytogenetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - analysis; Female; Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain - genetics; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Hepatitis C virus; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Karyotyping; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Lymph Nodes - pathology; Lymphoma, B-Cell - genetics; Lymphoma, B-Cell - metabolism; Lymphoma, B-Cell - pathology; Male; marginal zone B-cell lymphoma; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; monocytoid B cell lymphoma; Neoplasm Staging; nodal lymphoma; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - analysis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6; Survival Analysis; Translocation, Genetic; Immunohistochemistry; nodal lymphoma; Lymph node; Marginal zone lymphoma; Malignant hemopathy; B-Lymphocyte; Case study; Anatomic pathology; Chronic; marginal zone B-cell lymphoma; monocytoid B cell lymphoma; Lymphoproliferative syndrome; Cytogenetics
• ISSN: 0309-0167; 1365-2559
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2005.02309.x

Aims : To report the clinicopathological findings of 21 cases of primary nodal marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma (NMZL). NMZL is a recently characterized lymphoma and few series have been published. Methods and results : The clinical data were characteristic of a disseminated disease at presentation: presence of peripheral and abdominal lymph nodes, bone marrow involvement (62%), disease stage III and IV (76%), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (48%). Other features included peripheral blood involvement (23%), anaemia (24%), thrombocytopenia (10%) and presence of serum M component (33%), while the previously reported association with hepatitis C virus and cryoglobulinaemia was not found. Relapses were frequent but the majority of patients receiving chemotherapy had a good initial response. Morphological features were heterogeneous and there were some differences compared with other marginal zone B‐cell lymphomas (MZL). Pure monocytoid B‐cell lymphomas were rare (10%) but a minor component of monocytoid B cell was observed more frequently (23%). Plasmacytoid or plasmacytic differentiation was a very common feature (61%). Large cells and a high mitotic count were also frequent (57%). Conclusion : NMZL can be distinguished from splenic MZL and extranodal MZL by its aggressive morphology and disseminated disease at presentation.