[5][8][2][9] That is, Lennert lymphoma has been defined using different microscopic histologies and immunochemistries (i.e., proteins expressed by tumor cells).
Descriptions of the clinical features, prognoses, and survival times for Lennert lymphomas have also varied across different reports.
[10] The extent of disease at presentation of Lennert lymphoma uses the same Ann Arbor staging system employed for all non-Hodgkin lymphomas: Stage I, involvement of a lymph node region or a single set of lymph nodes or a single tissue site in the lymphatic system; Stage II, involvement of multiple lymph node sites, other tissue in the lymphatic system, and/or non-lymphatic tissues all of which are on the same side of the thoracic diaphragm; Stage III, involvement of lymph nodes, other tissue in the lymphoid system, and/or non-lymphoid tissues with at least one of the sites being on the opposite side of the diaphragm from the other sites; Stage IV, disseminated disease occurring on both sides of the thoracic diaphragm and involving one or more non-lymphatic organs or all cases in which the liver and/or bone marrow is/are involved.
These skin lesions were asymptomatic, non-ulcerated, and red to violet papules, nodules, or small plaques on the trunk and limbs.
[12] Another recent study reported that a 65 year old patient had a painless subcutaneous tissue Lennert lymphoma but no evidence that it had invaded the nearby bone or skin surface nor that it was present in his lymph nodes, It was suggested that this Lennert lymphoma originated in the subcutaneous soft tissue rather than lymphatic system.
This difference was statistically significant (p-value of 0.011) based on the Logrank test and Kaplan–Meier estimator for the survival curves of the two patient groups.
Globally, the number of individuals infected with the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 is estimated to be 5-10 million.
[15] This virus causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, tropical spastic paraparesis, and various inflammatory disorders such as uveitis and dermatitis.
An early study reported that 11 of 15 patients expressed Epstein-Barr virus DNA in their Lennert lymphoma tissues.
[3][5][6][10][20] Lennert lymphoma tissue samples from 15 patients were cultured and the chromosomes in metaphase were analyzed using a standard G banding protocol.
These findings, if confirmed and further refined in future studies, would be extremely helpful in making the diagnosis of Lennert lymphoma.
The study agreed with this suggestion based on finding that their patient with Lennert lymphoma had a small portion of tumor tissue T cells which were hypotetraploid, i.e., missing one or more chromosomes.
[11] Currently, Lennert lymphoma is diagnosed based primarily on its clinical presentation, microscopic histopathology, and immunohistochemistry (e.g., the expression of certain proteins such as CD3, CD4, and CD8 in the tumor cells).
Due to its rarity, varying definitions, and lack of clinical trial studies, the best treatment(s) for Lennert lymphoma are unclear.
Patients found positive for the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 on screening were not included in these study groups.