Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Pleural Effusion

Cytomorphological features of DLBCL cells in pleural effusion: cytoplasmic vacuolization, atypical mitoses, and differential diagnosis with carcinoma and sarcoma.

Editorial team 1 min February 19, 2025

Pleural effusion specimen: DLBCL cells with vacuolization and a mitotic figure

Pleural fluid sediment smear: large polymorphic DLBCL cell with nucleoli

🔬 Cytomorphological features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells in pleural effusion.

Cytoplasmic or nuclear vacuoles and mitoses of DLBCL cells were found in pleural effusions. Wright-Giemsa stain, ×1000). DLBCL cells had cytomorphological features similar to undifferentiated carcinoma or sarcoma.

DLBCL cells were strongly positive for CD20 and CD79a (immunocytochemistry stain, ×400).

💎 Find more useful cytology materials in our LAB-TESTS library. The link to access the library is automatically sent to you via private message after purchasing a VK Donut Labformula subscription.

Source: Gong, Xubo; Shao, Sijia; Jin, Lan; Fu, Yanbiao; Wang, Lin; Xiao, Xibin; Yang, Linjuan; Zhao, Xiaoying (2020). Clinical and laboratory characteristics of lymphoid neoplasms in serous effusions: a single centre experience in China. Diagnostic Cytopathology