page_title: Progressive transformation of germinal centres
section_title: Diagnosis
hierarchical_section_title: Progressive transformation of germinal centres / Diagnosis
caption_attribution_description: English: Low magnification micrograph of progressive transformation of germinal centres, abbreviated PTGCs and also progressive transformation of germinal centers, in an excisional lymph node biopsy. H&amp;E stain. PTGCs is a reactive process of undetermined etiology, that is usually characterized clinically by localized lymphadenopathy and is typically asymptomatic. It may occasionally recur and in a small proportion of patients has been reported to subsequently develop Hodgkin lymphoma (usually nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma).[1][2] Features: Follicular hyperplasia (many follicles). Focally large germinal centers with: Poorly demarcated germinal center (GC)/mantle zone interfaces (as GCs infiltrated by mantle zone lymphocytes) -- key feature.[3] Expanded mantle zone. References ↑ Hansmann ML, Fellbaum C, Hui PK, Moubayed P (February 1990). "Progressive transformation of germinal centers with and without association to Hodgkin's disease". Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 93 (2): 219–26. PMID 2405631. ↑ Kojima M, Nakamura S, Motoori T, et al. (April 2003). "Progressive transformation of germinal centers: a clinicopathological study of 42 Japanese patients". Int. J. Surg. Pathol. 11 (2): 101–7. PMID 12754626. ↑ Verma A, Stock W, Norohna S, Shah R, Bradlow B, Platanias LC (2002). "Progressive transformation of germinal centers. Report of 2 cases and review of the literature". Acta Haematol. 108 (1): 33–8. PMID 12145465. Related-images Very low mag. Intermed. mag. Very low mag. Low mag. Intermed. mag.
context_page_description: Progressive transformation of germinal centres is a reactive lymph node process of undetermined cause.
context_section_description: PTGC is diagnosed by surgical excision of the affected lymph node(s), and examination by a pathologist.  The differential diagnosis includes non-neoplastic causes of lymphadenopathy (e.g. cat-scratch fever, Kikuchi disease) and malignancy, i.e. cancer.
caption: Micrograph showing PTGCs. H&E stain.
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