Microvillous lymphoma is a rare B-cell lymphoma composed of large transformed lymphocytes. They can be recognized using specific criteria.
Diagnostic criteria:
(1) large transformed lymphocytes
(2) growth pattern either diffuse or sinusoidal
(3) cytoplasmic projections best seen on electron microscopy
(4) B cell immunophenotype (CD20 positive)
(5) negative for both CD30 and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA)
Additional findings:
(1) frequently positive for CD56 (the neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM)
(2) clonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene
(3) often express CD74, CDw75 and bcl-2 protein
Differential diagnosis:
(1) anaplastic large cell lymphoma: CD30 positive and usually EMA positive
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Specialty: Hematology Oncology
