B-cell neoplasms and Hodgkin lymphoma in the spleen.

Overview

B-cell lymphoma of spleen may be primary (most commonly splenic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) or secondary (typically low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma). Depending on the specific lymphoma subtype, there may be a predominantly white pulp pattern of involvement, a predominantly red pulp pattern or a focal nodular pattern. Splenectomy is the ideal specimen for a multiparametric integrative diagnosis of splenic lymphoma, as it allows for a combined study of morphology, immunohistology, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and molecular genetic techniques. This review article describes the clinicopathologic characteristics of all the relevant B-cell neoplasms that may be encountered in a splenic biopsy or a splenectomy specimen.