Challenge in diagnosis of CD56+ lymphoproliferative disorders: two cases of CD56+CD33+ lymphoma/leukemia

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2004 Aug;128(8):e100-3. doi: 10.5858/2004-128-e100-CIDOCL.

Abstract

Two cases of CD56+CD33+ leukemia/lymphoma are reported. The patient in case 1 presented with skin rash, diffuse lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly. Blasts with monocytoid and lymphoid features were present in the peripheral blood. The tumor cells expressed HLA-DR, CD4, CD33, CD38, and CD56. Cytogenetic analysis revealed del(2)(p13),del(9)(q22),add(6)(q25),add(12)(p12),-13,-18, and -20. The clinicopathologic features were similar to those of blastic natural killer cell leukemia/lymphoma or type 2 dentritic cell leukemia. The patient in case 2 presented with generalized weakness and skin erythema not responding to antibiotics. Circulating blasts with monocytoid features were seen in the peripheral blood. The tumor cells expressed CD7, CD13, CD33, CD38, and CD56, and cytogenetic analysis revealed -5,add(7)(p22),-8, del(10)(p11.2),-12,der(13; 14)(p10;p10),+14,-16,-18,-19, and del(20)(q13.1). The clinicopathologic features were consistent with a myeloid/ natural killer cell precursor acute leukemia. Both disorders are aggressive hematopoietic malignancies that have similar clinical presentation and morphology but differ in immunophenotype and cytogenetic features.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / analysis*
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / analysis*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / analysis*
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • CD56 Antigen / analysis*
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / ultrastructure
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Karyotyping
  • Kidney Calculi / complications
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology*
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / classification
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / complications
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / diagnosis*
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / genetics
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / classification
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / complications
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / genetics
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Organ Failure / etiology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology*
  • Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • CD33 protein, human
  • CD56 Antigen
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3