[Immunopathology of lymphatic systemic diseases]

Abstract

Immunopathological findings in the various non-Hodgkin lymphomas are summarized in this report, with special emphasis on recent results with monoclonal antibodies. Results are presented in different types of lymphocytic lymphoma, in those derived from the germinal centre, from T-lymphocytes of "central" and "peripheral" origin and in some disorders involving early precursors of B-lymphocytes. These diseases very probably represent maturation defects ("frozen states") of defined subpopulations of lymphoid cells. The possible diagnostic role of immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence techniques in cell suspensions and, particularly, in frozen sections of diseased tissues obtained from patients with lymphomas and leukaemias is discussed.