To explore the pathological diagnostics of T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma (THRLBCL).

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 12 cases of THRLBCL diagnosed at the Department of Pathology of Tai′an Central Hospital from January 2010 to December 2017. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and histochemistry were performed on the archival paraffin sections.

Amongst the 12 patients studied, 7 were male and 5 were female. Their age at the time of operation ranged from 46 to 78 years. Under a light microscope, the normal structure of lymph nodes was destroyed. In the background of small lymphocytes and a variable number of tissue cells, single large cells were scattered. Immunohistochemistry showed positive CD20 staining in large cells and positive CD3 staining in small lymphocytes.

THRLBCL is a relatively rare form of lymphoma that is characterized by some atypical large B cells scattered in the background of small T cell lymphocytes and a variable number of tissue cells. It is similar to other types of lymphoma with regard to clinical manifestations, imaging findings, and histology. A thorough understanding of their clinical features in combination with immunohistochemical results is helpful in arriving at the correct diagnosis.