Table of Contents
Definition / general | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive stains | Differential diagnosisCite this page: DePond W. Progressive transformation of germinal centers. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/lymphnodesPTGC.html. Accessed November 28th, 2023.
Definition / general
- 75% males
- Usually presents with solitary asymptomatic lymphadenopathy of head and neck; more frequently in elderly in Japan (Int J Surg Pathol 2003;11:101)
- May be part of evolutionary spectrum with follicular hyperplasia and follicular lysis, in the resolution of lymphoid hyperplasia by sequential ingression of T cells followed by mantle B cells (Am J Clin Pathol 2003;120:322)
- Either self limited (particularly in young men, Am J Surg Pathol 1992;16:252) or associated with lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (Am J Clin Pathol 1990;93:219)
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Germinal centers are markedly (3 - 5x) larger than normal, with indistinct margins; are composed of follicular mantle lymphocytes and extensive follicular dendritic cells
- Tingible body macrophages are also present
- Associated with more typical germinal centers
- Large numbers of T cells are present
- May have a few small hyaline vascular type germinal centers
- Rarely have T cell rosettes
- May have BCL2 expression in mantle B cells
Microscopic (histologic) images
AFIP images
Progressive transformation of germinal centers
