Tissue Biopsy

Excisional Lymph Node Biopsy
Excisional biopsy (entire lymph node removed) is recommended to establish the diagnosis of MZL.1
- Adequate tissue volume is essential
- Note: Core needle biopsy (large bore needle removes a core of lymph node tissue) is not recommended unless there is no other way to obtain the necessary diagnostic tissue1
- The role of fine needle biopsy in the diagnosis of lymphoma is controversial; when used alone, there is often inadequate tissue for diagnostic tests1
Rationale for Tissue Biopsy
Complete and accurate differential diagnosis of MZL and other NHL subtypes require1:
- Morphologic evaluation by a pathologist
- Molecular characterization of FL tissue
Molecular analysis may provide useful diagnostic or prognostic information in certain cases.
Tissue biopsy may be performed during1:
- Initial diagnosis
- Recurrence/relapse
- Restaging and follow-up to rule out large cell lymphoma
Bone Marrow Biopsy
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy may be used to determine if there is bone marrow involvement of the MZL.1
- Bone marrow biopsy with aspiration should be performed at diagnosis and is essential to document clinical stage I-II disease in nodal MZL and for diagnosis of splenic MZL1
- Bone marrow biopsy with aspiration is not essential for diagnosis of gastric and nongastric MALT lymphoma but may be useful in selected cases1
- Bone marrow biopsy may be deferred in some cases where observation is the recommended initial therapy1