Microscopic Description and Comments:
This node could represent an early lymphoma, but it is not diagnostic, as a similar appearance could occur in a reactive node. Four small fragments of a mesenteric lymph node were examined. The node exhibits lymphoid hyperplasia characterized by an abundant, relatively uniform, population of small lymphocytes which fill both the cortical and medullary regions. There is a normal architectural pattern whith primary germinal centers within the cortex. There is one area in which small lymphocytes have extended beyond the node's capsule. The latter finding is commonly seen in lymphoma, but is not considered diagnostic as it can also occur in reactive nodes. There are small numbers of red blood cells within the lymph node sinuses.