Laurence de Leval, MD, PhD, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Judith A. Ferry, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MD
Robert P Hasserjian, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MD
Benign proliferations of lymphoid cells can frequently mimic malignancy and, on occasion, lead to erroneous diagnosis and inappropriate therapy. Moreover, some clonal lymphoid proliferations have been recently described that are not considered malignant and should not be treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. We will review benign processes of lymph nodes and extranodal lymphoid tissues that are often confused with malignancy, so that participants will be able to correctly recognize these benign processes and avoid their confusion with hematologic neoplasms. We will also update audience as to recently described clonal entities that are not considered equivalent to lymphoma (such as monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis). Our target audience includes practicing pathologist who handle lymph node biopsies as well as hematopathologists, pathology residents, and hematopathology fellows.
We will use a PowerPoint presentation format. Each presentation will consist of an overview of an illustrative case, followed by a discussion of the differential diagnosis and practical points to distinguish among various mimicking entities. Time will be allocated for questions and interactive discussions. Advanced study material will be posted on the USCAP website for review by pre-registrants prior to the meeting. A written handout of the presentations will be provided to the participants and the presentations (including illustrative case images) will be posted on the USCAP website after the meeting.
Upon completion of this educational activity, the participants should be able to: 1) Recognize key histologic features and clinical clues to reactive lymphoid proliferations that help distinguish them from neoplastic mimics; 2) Understand and accurately diagnose recently described entities that lie on the border between benign and neoplastic lymphoid proliferations; and 3) Learn how to appropriately and cost-effectively use ancillary studies (flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetic, and molecular genetic studies) to distinguish benign from malignant hematolymphoid entities in diagnostically challenging situations.
(NEW COURSE)
