Image Description
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in a cervical lymph node (higher magnification of the previous image). The tumor consists of a uniform population of small to medium sized lymphoid cells resembling centrocytes with irregular, indented or clefted nuclear contours. The cells have condensed nuclear chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, and a thin rim of cytoplasm. Histiocytes with pink cytoplasm are scattered in the background. Mitotic figures are readily seen.
Some MCLs are composed predominantly of small lymphocytes with round nuclei lacking indentations or clefts. Such cases may closely resemble chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). However, MCLs lack proliferation centers as well as paraimmunoblasts and prolymphocytes. In addition, MCL is usually CD23 negative where as CLL/SLL is usually positive for this marker.
About the Disease
Introduction: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma that makes up about 2.5% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the US. It usually presents at advanced stages in the 5th and 6th decades of life with generalized lymphadenopathy and bone marrow involvement. There may also be involvement of peripheral blood, spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract (lymphomatoid polyposis), Waldeyer's ring, lung, and pleura. Morphology: MCL consists of a uniform population of small to medium sized lymphoid cells resembling centrocytes with irregular, indented or clefted nuclei. The cells have condensed nuclear chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, and a thin rim of cytoplasm. The growth pattern can be nodular, diffuse, mantle zone or follicular. The blastoid variant contains larger cells with dispersed nuclear chromatin, nucleoli, and increased mitotic activity. Immunophenotype: MCL expresses CD19, CD20, CD43, surface Ig (usually IgM and IgD) with light chain restriction, FMC-7, and bcl-2. Cyclin D1 is strongly positive. It is CD5+ and CD23- which helps to separate it from CLL/SLL. CD5 expression is sometimes weak or absent in MCL. CD10 and bcl-6 are usually negative. Genetics: Most cases show t(11;14)(q13;q32) involving the IGH locus on chromosome 14 and CCND1 (cyclin D1) locus on chromosome 11 leading to overexpression of cyclin D1 which promotes cell proliferation. The translocation can be detected by karyotyping in about 70% of cases and by FISH in almost 100% of cases. The blastoid variant may show TP53 mutations, MYC translocation t(8;14)(q24;q32), and tetraploidy. These are associated with aggressive behavior. Treatment & Prognosis: MCL has poor prognosis. The median survival is 3 to 4 years. High mitotic rate (>10 mitoses/15HPF) and high Ki-67 proliferation index (>40%-60%) are associated with adverse outcome. Reference:Jaffe, E. S. et al (2017). Hematopathology - Second Edition. Philadelphia, PA. Elsevier.Jaffe, E. S. et al (2017). Hematopathology - Second Edition. Philadelphia, PA. Elsevier.