Imunopheno typing as an adjuvant technique in the diagnosis of hematological malignancies

Abstract EN

Background : Hematological malignancies are neoplasms that arise through malignant transformation of bone marrow derived cells.

World Health Organization classification system (2008) has recognized over 60 different clinical and pathological disease subtypes.

The current World Health Organization classification is based on lineage as demonstrated by antig en expression into lymphoid or myeloid malignancies.

Within each lineage, distinct subtypes are defined based on clinical and morphologic features in conjunction with immunophenotyping.

Aim of the study : To define, classify and reach the proper diagnosis of the hematological malignancies, and to compare the results obtained by immunophenotyping with the established diagnostic techniques.

Methods : Patients included in this study are newly diagnosed cases as hematological malignancies (leukemias and lymphomas).

The immunophenotyping analysis is done at the pathology laboratory of Al Sadir Teaching Hospital in Basrah.

All cases were subjected for immunostaining for both myeloid and lymphoid markers to confirm the nature of the disease.

In the present study, twelve monoclonal antibodies were used to recognize various hematopoietic cells based on their surface and cytoplasmic antigens.

Results : Sixty three cases of newly diagnosed patients with hematological malignancies were investigated prior to treatment.

By using leishman's stain, hematoxyline and Eosin stains and selected cytochemical stains, the included cases were diagnosed morphologically as lymphoid malignancies (acute and chronic), myeloid malignancies (acute type) and a group of undifferentiated hematological malignancies.

Based on the pattern of reactivity to a panel of lineage associated antibodies (CD markers) the hematological malignancies were classified into two major types; lymphoid (precursor and mature type) and myeloid (acute myeloid type) with further sub classification.

Conclusions : The diagnosis of the hematological malignancies is mainly based on morphology, but diagnostic yield is highly increased by the use of the immunophenotyping analysis.