Background: Lymphoma represents one of the major health problems all over the world. Flow cytometry (FCM) can be used on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from lymph node as an ancillary technique. Aim of the study was to assess the utility of flowcytometry (FCM) in diagnosis and differentiation of reactive hyperplasia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) on FNAC.Methods: The study was carried out on 50 cases, 25 each of reactive hyperplasia and suspicious or confirmed NHL on FNAC. FCI was performed with a complete panel of antibodies on FACS Canto II FCM.Results: All 25 cases of reactive hyperplasia on FNAC were polyclonal on FCM. FCM could be performed in 22 cases (88%) out of 25 suspicious NHL and in three cases the material was inadequate on aspirate. Out of 22 cases of NHL on FNAC 17 cases (77.30%) were diagnosed as B-NHL on FCM. Light chain restriction was demonstrated in 15/17 cases. With the help of FCI, 6 cases were diagnosed as small cell lymphocytic lymphoma, one case as mantle cell lymphoma, one case as follicular lymphoma, and 9 cases as B-NHL-NOS. Histopathology diagnosis was available in nine cases and were in concordance to FCM. Sensitivity of combined FNAC and FCM in sub-classification was 77.30% (17/22). Four cases showed discordance between FNAC and FCM.Conclusion: We concluded that FCM enhances the diagnostic ability of FNAC, playing a crucial role in a rapid and accurate differential diagnosis between reactive hyperplasia, B-NHL and T-NHL.
Fine needle aspiration and the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
