Rapid diagnosis of orbital mantle cell lymphoma utilizing fluorescent in situ hybridization technology

PURPOSE: We describe a patient with an orbital lymphoma in which genetic analysis utilizing fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) on a touch preparation of the tumor identified the classic 11:14 translocation associated with a mantle cell lymphoma. DESIGN: Clinicopathologic case report. METHODS: A 76-year-old woman presented complaining of ptosis and was found to have an orbital lesion suspected of being a lymphoproliferative malignancy. A biopsy of the lesion was performed in the office, and the sample was processed using a touch preparation technique. RESULTS: Genetic analysis utilizing FISH on a touch preparation of the tumor identified the classic 11:14 translocation associated with a mantle cell lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: FISH has become useful in the differential diagnosis of lymphoproliferative lesions. The touch preparation method requires smaller amounts of tissue than standard methods, and samples may be obtained in an office setting.