FOLLICULAR LARGE-CELL LYMPHOMA OF THE TESTIS IN A CHILD

Background. A unique case of primary testicular lymphoma in a child is reported. Methods. Tumor tissue was studied using immunohistochemical techniques and southern blot hybridization to detect immunoglobulin a nd bcl-2 gene rearrangement and in situ hybridization for the Epstein- Barr virus (EBV) genome. Results. Light microscopy revealed a lymphocy tic infiltrate with a follicular pattern. Immunohistochemical staining revealed lambda light chain restriction and gene rearrangement studie s revealed a clonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain, c onfirming a clonal neoplastic process. Immunostaining failed to detect bcl-2 protein expression, and no evidence of bcl-2 gene rearrangement was noted on southern blot analysis. In situ hybridization for EBV nu cleic acid in tumor tissue was negative. Conclusions. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a case of a primary testicular lymphoma with follicular histology in a child. Despite the follicular histology, no evidence of bcl-2 expression or gene rearrangement was d etected.