Cellfie of the Day: Surbhi Singh on How Small-Cell Myeloma Hides in Plain Sight
Surbhi Singh, Consultant Haematopathology at Agilus Diagnostics and Fortis Hospital Gurugram, shared a post on LinkedIn:
”Cellfie Of The Day: Small Cell Variant of Myeloma – a morphological Masquerader
Morphology:
Plasma cells with small morphology, mature-appearing nuclei, condensed chromatin, and narrow rim of basophilic cytoplasm, often resembling small lymphocytes, occasional peri-nuclear hoff. Nucleoli are inconspicuous – may mimic a mature B cell neoplasm.
Immunophenotype:
• CD38+, CD138+
• Cytoplasmic light chain I restriction (κ or λ)
• Frequently CD56+, CD19–, CD45 variable, may show CD20+
• Cyclin D1 positive → reflects underlying t(11;14)(q13;q32) (IGH-CCND1 translocation)
Key clue:
Small cell morphology + Cyclin D1 positivity strongly suggests t(11;14) myeloma
Differential diagnoses:
• CLL/SLL → CD5+, CD23+, negative for CD138
• Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) → CD5-CD10- clonal B cells along with plasma cells, MYD88 L265P mutation, IgM paraprotein
• Mantle cell lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation → CD5+, Cyclin D1+, SOX11+ (vs strong CD138, lack of CD45)
Takeaway:
Always correlate clinically + morphology + immunophenotype + immunohistochemistry + cytogenetics – small lymphoid-appearing cells can hide a Cyclin D1–driven plasma cell neoplasm.”
Stay updated with Hemostasis Today.
-
Aug 21, 2026, 21:58Toby Richards: WEHI Trial Solidifies IV Iron as Third-Trimester Standard
-
Aug 21, 2026, 21:51Mehak Trehan: From Reading the Chapter to Writing One
-
Aug 21, 2026, 21:38Ann Reilly: Navigating Postoperative vs. Acute Blood Loss Anemia – A CDI Case Study
-
Aug 21, 2026, 21:29Merlin Crossley: Atomic Precision in Sickle Cell Care – Structural Targeting for Fetal Globin Reactivation
-
Aug 21, 2026, 19:09Aphisit Thongthaisin: Admitted to Sorbonne University’s T2H University Diploma for 2026/2027
-
Aug 21, 2026, 19:07José Luis Ferreiro Gutiérrez: Proud to Be Elected Chairperson-Elect of the ESC Working Group on Thrombosis
-
Aug 21, 2026, 19:00Manuel Monreal: New RIETE Registry Data on VTE Recurrence and Bleeding During Anticoagulation
-
Aug 21, 2026, 18:39Ronak H. Mistry: Updated ASH ITP Guidelines Bring New Guidance for Managing ITP
-
Aug 21, 2026, 18:22Ahmed Bennis: NOAC Use Is Associated With Slower Cognitive Decline in AF and Alzheimer’s Disease