[Pseudofollicles in chronic lymphatic leukemia].

Abstract

In chronic lymphatic leukemia lymph nodes show very often nodular aggregates of cells that are somewhat larger than small lymphocytes and that are less hyperchromatic and less closely packed. These aggregates appear histologically as light areas that are called pseudofollicles, pseudonodules or proliferation centers. However, it has not been substantiated as yet that a more active proliferation of cells indeed takes place within these areas. Therefore, in 10 cases of chronic lymphatic leukemia the DNA-content, the size of the nuclei, and the frequency of mitoses within and outside the pseudofollicles were assessed. It could be shown that the cells of the pseudofollicles are indeed more actively proliferating populations than the cells outside the pseudofollicles. This proves that pseudofollicles are proliferation centers.