[Application of PCR in the diagnosis of B-type non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in cytological specimens from fine-needle aspiration].

UNLABELLED

The application of PCR to detect monoclonality at the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene locus in FNA cytologic specimens was evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement analysis was performed by a nested PCR for the VDJ region on 27 lymph nodes FNA paraffin embedded by cell blocking technique specimens (1 suspicious of NOS lymphoma, 1 Hodgkin's disease, 6 B cell non Hodgkin's lymphomas, 10 reactive hyperplasias).

RESULTS

A monoclonal band was seen in 13 of 17 suspicious or positive malignant cases. The other 4 specimens gave a policlonal pattern. Specimens from reactive lymph nodes produced policlonal bands in 8 cases, no product in 1 case and 1 specimen gave a monoclonal band. When needed, the results of PCR examinations were compared with the subsequent histologic evaluation of the same lymph-node.

CONCLUSIONS

From our experience we can see that clonal analysis by PCR based IgH gene rearrangement analysis can be applied to FNA material and can be useful in diagnosis.