A Case of Adult T-cell Leukemia Lymphoma Diagnosed Using Cell Blocks

Abstract

Background. Transbronchial needle aspiration cytology (TBAC) and a transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy are diagnostic approaches for mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. Pathological diagnoses can differ between cytology and histology in some cases. Case. Lung tumor shadow was identified in a 70-year-old man, and chest computed tomography showed subclavicular, mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. TBAC from a subcarinal lymph node suggested small cell carcinoma, but an immunohistochemical analysis of the transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy and a cell block from the TBAC samples suggested adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma. The lymphoma showed a continued response for a year after chemotherapy. Conclusion. Differentiating between small cell carcinoma and lymphoma using cytology alone is difficult in some cases. The collection of sufficient samples for cell blocks is important in cases with limited tissue samples, considering the need to analyze both the morphology and immunohistochemical features.