The distribution of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the lymphoid compartments of the human spleen.

In a series of 139 spleens involved by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, we found that each type of lymphoma (as classified according to the Kiel classification) has a specific pattern of infiltration in the red and white pulp. Tumor infiltration in preexistent follicles was not a feature of B-cell lymphomas, but tumor nodules were found in the red pulp nonfiltering areas in cases of immunocytoma (small lymphocytic plasmacytoid) and centroblastic-centrocytic lymphoma (follicle center-cell lymphoma). B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia and centrocytic-centroblastic lymphoma were located along central arteries of T-cell areas. T-cell areas were infiltrated by B-prolymphocytic leukemia, immunocytoma, centrocytic lymphoma (lymphocytic lymphoma of intermediate differentiation), and T-cell lymphoma/leukemia. The red pulp showed diffuse involvement in leukemic cases. Additionally, there was pericapillary growth in all cases of low-grade B-cell lymphoma. The findings, which are related to the physiological counterparts of the lymphoma cells, contribute to our knowledge of the routes of circulation as well as the homing areas of lymphocytes in the human spleen.