Objective: To investigate the lineage of the malignant cells in malignant histiocytosis.
Methods: Polymerase chain reaction with two groups of common primers for TCR-gamma gene was used to analyze the malignant cells of 28 autopsied cases of malignant histiocytosis.
Results: Monoclonal TCR-gamma gene rearrangements were detected in 12 out of the 28 samples (43%).
Conclusion: Most cases diagnosed as malignant histiocytosis in Southwest China seems to be peripheral T-cell lymphomas.