PATTERN OF LYMPH NODE LESIONS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO IMMUNO-PHENOTYPING IN A RESOURCE-LIMITED SETTING
Main Article Content
Keywords
Lymphadenopathy; Lymph node biopsy; Immunohistochemistry; Flow cytometry; Lymphoma
Abstract
Lymphadenopathy is a frequent clinical finding with diverse etiologies ranging from reactive conditions to malignant neoplasms. Accurate diagnosis is essential, particularly in resource-limited settings where advanced diagnostic modalities may be selectively available. Histopathology remains the cornerstone of evaluation; however, immunophenotyping plays a critical role in precise classification of lymphoid lesions.
Objectives: To analyze the histopathological spectrum of lymph node lesions and to assess the diagnostic utility of immunophenotyping using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry in a resource-limited setting.
Materials and Methods: Cases included underwent routine histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry was performed in selected cases using a targeted antibody panel. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping was applied in suspected lymphoid neoplasms where adequate fresh tissue was available.
Results: Non-neoplastic lesions constituted the majority of cases, with reactive lymphadenitis being the most common diagnosis, followed by granulomatous lymphadenitis. Lymphoid neoplasms accounted for a significant proportion, predominantly B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, followed by T-cell lymphomas and classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Metastatic malignancies formed a smaller subset, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most frequent.
Conclusion: The study highlights the predominance of benign lymph node lesions in a resource-limited setting while emphasizing the critical role of immunophenotyping. Integration of histopathology with immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry significantly enhances diagnostic precision and supports optimal patient management.
Objectives: To analyze the histopathological spectrum of lymph node lesions and to assess the diagnostic utility of immunophenotyping using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry in a resource-limited setting.
Materials and Methods: Cases included underwent routine histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry was performed in selected cases using a targeted antibody panel. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping was applied in suspected lymphoid neoplasms where adequate fresh tissue was available.
Results: Non-neoplastic lesions constituted the majority of cases, with reactive lymphadenitis being the most common diagnosis, followed by granulomatous lymphadenitis. Lymphoid neoplasms accounted for a significant proportion, predominantly B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, followed by T-cell lymphomas and classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Metastatic malignancies formed a smaller subset, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most frequent.
Conclusion: The study highlights the predominance of benign lymph node lesions in a resource-limited setting while emphasizing the critical role of immunophenotyping. Integration of histopathology with immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry significantly enhances diagnostic precision and supports optimal patient management.
References
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2. Patel MM, Italiya SL, Dhandha ZB. Histopathological spectrum of lymph node lesions: a tertiary care experience. Int J Clin Diagn Pathol. 2022;5(2):45–49.
3. Ferry JA. Diagnostic challenges in lymph node pathology. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2021;145(5):536–545.
4. Cho J. Basic immunohistochemistry for lymphoma diagnosis. Cancers (Basel). 2022;14(7):1705.
5. Alaggio R, Amador C, Anagnostopoulos I, et al. The 5th edition of the WHO classification of haematolymphoid tumours. Leukemia. 2022;36(7):1720–1748.
6. Gao Y, Xu H. WHO reporting system for lymph node cytopathology: relevance to resource-limited settings. J Clin Transl Pathol. 2024;4(1):1–8
7. Singh K, Gupta N, Verma S. Clinicopathological evaluation of lymph node biopsies. J Lab Physicians. 2023;15(1):52–58.
8. Sharma P, Mohan A, Suresh P. Histopathological spectrum of lymphadenopathy in developing countries. Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2022;65(3):456–461.
9. World Health Organization. Global tuberculosis report 2023. Geneva: WHO; 2023.
10. Swerdlow SH, Campo E, Harris NL, et al. WHO classification of tumours of haematolymphoid tissues. 5th ed. Lyon: IARC; 2022.
11. Campo E, Jaffe ES, Cook JR. The role of immunohistochemistry in lymphoma diagnosis. Blood. 2021;138(10):893–905.
12. Craig FE, Foon KA. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping for hematologic neoplasms. Blood. 2020;136(11):1284–1292.
13. Singh A, Saxena R, Gupta R. Utility of flow cytometry in lymph node pathology. Cytojournal. 2022;19:12.
14. Patel MM, Shah K, Mehta A. Metastatic malignancies in lymph nodes: a histopathological study. Indian J Cancer. 2021;58(4):509–514.
15. Armitage JO, Gascoyne RD, Lunning MA. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lancet. 2024;403(10424):120–134.
16. Das DK, Gulati A, Bhatt NC. Patterns of lymph node lesions in a tertiary care centre. J Clin Diagn Res. 2021;15(6):EC01–EC05
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Published
Sep 30, 2026
Article Details
How to Cite
Shubhra Sharma, & Pushkar Chaudhary. (2026). PATTERN OF LYMPH NODE LESIONS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO IMMUNO-PHENOTYPING IN A RESOURCE-LIMITED SETTING. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(11), 2837-2844. https://doi.org/10.69980/ed4vrc46
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Author Biographies
Shubhra Sharma
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, F H Medical College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Pushkar Chaudhary
Demonstrator, Department of Pathology, Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
How to Cite
Shubhra Sharma, & Pushkar Chaudhary. (2026). PATTERN OF LYMPH NODE LESIONS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO IMMUNO-PHENOTYPING IN A RESOURCE-LIMITED SETTING. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(11), 2837-2844. https://doi.org/10.69980/ed4vrc46
