Splenic Micronodular T-Cell/Histiocyte-Rich Large B-Cell Lymphoma: The Corticosteroid Pretreatment Hypothesis

Abstract

Splenic micronodular T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma is derived from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma N.O.S., perhaps with some affinity with nodal T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma. Of note, in contrast with the latter, the only lymph nodes involved in association with the splenic micronodular pattern of the disease are the splenic hilar lymph nodes. The possibility that corticosteroids, when prescribed prior to splenectomy, cause histopathological and functional modulations, apoptosis, necrosis, tissue shrinkage, which may obscure the diagnostic morphological features of this variant lymphoma and cause and underdiagnosis of this condition. The indications for glucocorticoid therapy are either related to the lymphoma itself, or else to other comorbidities, like asthma and autoimmune disorders. We propose that patients with the splenic subset of the disease are likely to have been prescribed corticosteroids prior to histopathologic examination of the involved spleen, causing disparate morphologies. However, a reviewer might accidentally dismiss the corticosteroid pretreatment which is thus overlooked. Apoptosis, induced by corticosteroids, is hypothesized as the major mechanism initiating the histopathological and functional changes in the splenic micronodular variant of the lymphoma.

Non-Dexamethasone Corticosteroid Therapy’s Effect on COVID-19 Prognosis in Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study

“…In cancer treatment, corticosteroids may be administered as part of supportive care [ 1 ] or as part of treatment regimens. Corticosteroids are used to treat a variety of tumors and complications related to cancer treatment and promote apoptosis in hematological neoplasms [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. They are also used to regulate anaphylaxis and cytokine release, hypersensitivity, and suppress anaphylaxis [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”