VB
Vikas Bhardwaj
Medical Technologist, AIIMS New Delhi
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
**Core Concept**
The patient's presentation of painless lymph node enlargement, fever, weight loss, and anaemia, along with histological findings of owl eye-shaped cells, suggests a diagnosis of a lymphoproliferative disorder. This condition is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes, leading to the formation of lymphoid aggregates and nodules in various organs, including the lymph nodes.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The owl eye-shaped appearance of cells is a characteristic feature of Reed-Sternberg cells, which are a hallmark of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). HL is a type of lymphoma that arises from the lymphoid cells of the immune system. The Reed-Sternberg cells are large, abnormal lymphocytes with a distinctive owl eye appearance under the microscope. These cells are thought to arise from a mutation in the c-MYC gene, leading to the uncontrolled proliferation of lymphocytes.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect as it does not describe a specific type of lymphoma that matches the patient's presentation and histological findings.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect as it refers to a different type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, but it does not match the patient's specific presentation and histological findings.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect as it refers to a type of leukemia that affects the blood and bone marrow, but it does not match the patient's presentation of painless lymph node enlargement and owl eye-shaped cells.
**Option D:** This option is incorrect as it refers to a different type of lymphoma that does not match the patient's presentation and histological findings.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma that is often associated with a good prognosis, especially when diagnosed at an early stage. The presence of Reed-Sternberg cells is a hallmark of HL, and their identification under the microscope is a key diagnostic feature.
**Correct Answer:** C.