Lymphoma immunotyping by paraffin immunoperoxidase and cell suspension methods--a comparative study.

Immunoperoxidase staining incorporating an enzyme digestion step was performed on paraffin sections of 84 biopsy cases of lymphoproliferative disorders. Monoclonality was demonstrated in 100% of plasmacytomas and related tumours, and in 66% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. In 83% of lymphomas the immunoglobulin class was IgM and the light chain distribution was kappa 64% and lambda 36%. Polyclonality was found in 89% of cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and within Reed-Sternberg cells in 55% of cases of Hodgkin's disease. Similar results were obtained by dispersed cell studies in 56 overlapping cases. The concordance rate between the two methods in 40 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was 67.5%. Reasons for the inconsistencies are discussed. Immunoperoxidase staining of enzyme digested paraffin sections is useful in the diagnosis of B cell lymphoproliferative disorders with a particular role in centres where cell suspension studies are not available or when there is no access to fresh tissue.