CD5+ follicular lymphoma: a clinicopathologic study of three cases

Am J Clin Pathol. 2002 Oct;118(4):589-98. doi: 10.1309/4KEH-AGY7-UT5H-41XJ.

Abstract

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a low-grade lymphoma that typically lacks CD5 antigen expression. We report 3 cases of FL with unusual expression of CD5. All cases showed histologic features of FL, including effaced nodal architecture, follicular growth pattern, and a spectrum of grades from 1 to 3 using World Health Organization criteria. In flow cytometric studies, all 3 cases showed a light chain-restricted, CD19+, CD20+ B-cell population coexpressing CD10 and low-level CD5. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated an identical B-cell immunophenotype with weak expression of CD5 and coexpression of bcl-2 protein and the germinal center-associated markers, CD10 and bcl-6 protein. None of the cases showed expression of CD43, cyclin D1, or IgD. By molecular analysis, immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements were demonstrated in all 3 cases, and 2 of 3 cases had a t(14;18). These cases highlight the difficulty classifying these lymphomas by flow cytometric studies alone and emphasize the importance of recognizing FL in the differential diagnosis of CD5+ B-cell lymphomas.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD5 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18
  • DNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / genetics
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / metabolism*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neprilysin / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Translocation, Genetic

Substances

  • CD5 Antigens
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
  • Transcription Factors
  • Neprilysin