Cytotoxic T-cell and NK-cell lymphomas: current questions and controversies

Am J Surg Pathol. 2014 Oct;38(10):e60-71. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000000295.

Abstract

The cytotoxic T-cell and natural killer (NK)-cell lymphomas and related disorders are important but relatively rare lymphoid neoplasms that frequently are a challenge for practicing pathologists. This selective review, based on a meeting of the International Lymphoma Study Group, briefly reviews T-cell and NK-cell development and addresses questions related to the importance of precise cell lineage (αβ-type T cell, γδ T cell, or NK cell), the implications of Epstein-Barr virus infection, the significance of anatomic location including nodal disease, and the question of further categorization of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphomas. Finally, developments subsequent to the 2008 World Health Organization Classification, including the recognition of indolent NK-cell and T-cell disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are presented.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biopsy
  • Cell Lineage
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma / classification
  • Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma / genetics
  • Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma / immunology
  • Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma / pathology
  • Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma / virology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Killer Cells, Natural* / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural* / pathology
  • Killer Cells, Natural* / virology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / classification*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / genetics
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / immunology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / pathology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / virology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / analysis
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic* / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic* / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic* / virology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell