Reed Sternberg cells are characteristically seen in: March 2013
**Core Concept**
Reed Sternberg cells are a characteristic feature of a specific type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They are large, abnormal lymphocytes with a distinctive appearance, often with two or more nuclei. The presence of these cells is a key diagnostic criterion for this condition.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Reed Sternberg cells are a hallmark of Hodgkin lymphoma, specifically classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). These cells are derived from germinal center B cells and are characterized by their large size, abundant cytoplasm, and distinctive nuclei with a "owl's eye" appearance. They express specific markers such as CD30 and CD15, which are useful for diagnosis. The presence of Reed Sternberg cells in lymph node tissue is a key criterion for the diagnosis of cHL.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Reed Sternberg cells are not characteristic of follicular lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that typically lacks these distinctive cells.
**Option B:** Reed Sternberg cells are not typically seen in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is a type of blood cancer that affects lymphoid cells but does not typically involve these characteristic cells.
**Option C:** Reed Sternberg cells are not characteristic of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can resemble cHL but lacks the distinctive cells.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Reed Sternberg cells are a classic example of a "diagnostic cell" in pathology, and their presence in lymph node tissue is a key criterion for the diagnosis of classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
**Correct Answer: C. Hodgkin lymphoma.**