Mantle cell lymphoma may show lymphocytes with different cytologic appearances. The key feature is overexpression of CYCLIN D1 associated with t(11;14)(q13;q32).
Cytologic types:
(1) typical
(2) blastoid variants
(2a) classic
(2b) pleomorphic
(3) other variants
(3a) CLL-like
(3b) abundant pale cytoplasm
Type
Features
typical
resemble small to medium-sized centrocytes with inconspicuous nucleoli
classic
lymphoblasts with dispersed chromatin and high mitotic rate (> 10 in 10 high powered fields)
pleomorphic
heterogenous cells; nuclei large and cleaved to oval; nucleoli may be prominent
CLL-like
small lymphocytes
with abundant cytoplasm
resemble marginal zone lymphoma or large monocytoid B cells
The WHO recommendation is to mention the blastoid variants if present.
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