Phenotypic classification of malignant lymphoma

The phenotypic characters of the lymphoma cell are important in the diagnosis of this disease. We recently tested whether the flow cytometry with fresh biopsy sample might be useful in the diagnosis of the lymphoma. In our date, 1. a rise and fall of the surface immunoglobulin kappa/lambda ratio indicated the monoclonal proliferation of the B-cell, 2. the increased proportion of the CD5/CD23 double positive cells indicated B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma, 3. the decreased proportion of the CD2 positive cells and the increased proportion of the CD19 positive cells indicated B-cell lymphoma. These findings suggest that the flow cytometry is of adjunctive importance in making a diagnosis of the lymphoma.