Sclerosis-Associated Follicular Center Cell Lymphoma in the Retroperitoneum: The First Clinicopathological Study of a Frequently Encountered Subtype of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Abstract
Follicular center cell lymphoma with sclerosis is a significant clinicopathologic entity which has received little attention to date. It's uniqueness has been obscured by quarrels over classification of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas; and by the reluctance of some to accept it as a bona fide pathologic subtype in the retroperitoneum, its most common site of presentation. This thesis examines the clinical and pathological findings in a series of 22 cases of retroperitoneal follicular center cell lymphoma with sclerosis obtained from the hematopathology files of Yale-New Haven Hospital. Background material on the immunobiology, classification, and staging of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is provided; and comparisons with Idiopathic Retroperitoneal Fibrosis, nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease, and other retroperi toneal tumors are explored. A short term followup provides insight into the responsiveness of this malignancy to treatment and pinpoints prognostic risk factors.