Cytological comparisons of malignant lymphoma to nonneoplastic lymphoproliferative lesions of the thyroid

Abstract

We cytologically examined 12 non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphomas and 10 non -neoplastic lymphoproliferative lesions (4 Hashimoto's disease and 6 chronic thyroiditis) of the thyroid. In malignant lymphomas, the prevalence of large cells exceeded 20%, while that of small cells was less than 20%. On the other hand, in non-neoplastic lymphoproliferative lesions, the large cells accounted for less than 20%, and the small cells more than 20%. The prevalences of cleaved nuclei among medium-sized and large cells were more than 10% in malignant lymphomas and less than 10% in benign lesions. Unevenly distributed nuclear chromatin, nuclear streak, and lymphoglandular bodies suggested malignant lymphoma, the presence of epithelial nests a benign lesion.