Shades of gray between large B-cell lymphomas and hodgkin lymphomas: Differential diagnosis and biological implications

Abstract

Hodgkin lymphomas (HLs) are neoplasms of large B cells. Two types are recognized: nodular lymphocyte predominant HL (NLPHL) and classical HL (CHL). In both types, there may be morphological and possibly biological overlap with large B-cell lymphomas (LBCLs) of non-HL types. These include nodular sclerosis CHL and primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma; CHL rich in lymphocytes and NLPHL; and NLPHL and T-cell/ histiocyte-rich LBCL. This review covers the defining features of each of these diseases, the borderlines between them, and strategies for differential diagnosis. © 2013 USCAP, Inc. All rights reserved.