Which cell is characteristic of Hodgkin's lymphoma?

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Multiple Choice

Which cell is characteristic of Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Hodgkin lymphoma is defined by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These are large B-cell–lineage cells that typically appear with two nuclei and prominent nucleoli, giving an “owl’s-eye” look under the microscope. Their presence in a lymph node biopsy is the hallmark that distinguishes Hodgkin lymphoma from other lymphoid neoplasms and inflammatory conditions. Reed-Sternberg cells characteristically express CD15 and CD30, and although they originate from B cells, they often lack usual B-cell markers, which helps in diagnosis. The other options point to different diseases: Auer rods are rod-like cytoplasmic inclusions seen in acute myeloid leukemia; Birbeck granules are ultrastructural features of Langerhans cell histiocytosis; myeloperoxidase-positive cells indicate myeloid lineage, not Hodgkin lymphoma. Thus, Reed-Sternberg cells are the best and most diagnostic clue for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Hodgkin lymphoma is defined by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These are large B-cell–lineage cells that typically appear with two nuclei and prominent nucleoli, giving an “owl’s-eye” look under the microscope. Their presence in a lymph node biopsy is the hallmark that distinguishes Hodgkin lymphoma from other lymphoid neoplasms and inflammatory conditions. Reed-Sternberg cells characteristically express CD15 and CD30, and although they originate from B cells, they often lack usual B-cell markers, which helps in diagnosis.

The other options point to different diseases: Auer rods are rod-like cytoplasmic inclusions seen in acute myeloid leukemia; Birbeck granules are ultrastructural features of Langerhans cell histiocytosis; myeloperoxidase-positive cells indicate myeloid lineage, not Hodgkin lymphoma. Thus, Reed-Sternberg cells are the best and most diagnostic clue for Hodgkin lymphoma.

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