Immunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T-cell lymphoma: A clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic analysis of 24 cases

The histopathology, immunophenotype and clinical presentations of 24 cases of immunoblastic lymphadenopathy (IBL)-like T-cell lymphoma were studied. The results showed that fever and generalized lymphadenopathy were the first appeared and more commonly occurred clinical manifestations. 12 of 19 cases (63.2%) which had been followed up died of relapse and progression of the disease. Pathologically, focus and/or sheet-like proliferation of tumorous lymphoid cells, including pale cells and convoluted cells with obliteration of involved lymph nodes was the histologic feature of the disease. Within these 24 case of IBL-like T-cell lymphomas diagnosed by morphologic criteria, tumor cells of 20 cases gave positive reaction to T-cell markers and the remaining 4 cases were reactive to B cell markers as well. Immunoblasts and plasma cells showed polyclonal proliferation. Immunogenotypic analysis showed that rearrangement of T-cell receptor beta chain was detected in 1 case of the disease. Pathologic diagnosis of the disease and relationships between biologic behaviors and the prognosis were also discussed.