Lymphoplasmacytic

Lymphoplasmacytic is a term pathologists use to describe inflammation involving two specific types of immune cells: lymphocytes and plasma cells. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that help protect your body against infections. Plasma cells are specialized cells that develop from lymphocytes and produce antibodies to fight infections and other harmful substances.

What causes lymphoplasmacytic inflammation?

Lymphoplasmacytic inflammation usually indicates that your immune system is actively responding to something in your body. Common causes include infections, autoimmune diseases (conditions where your immune system mistakenly attacks your own healthy tissues), chronic inflammatory conditions, or prolonged irritation. Sometimes, the exact cause may not be clearly identified.

What does it mean if lymphoplasmacytic cells are described as an infiltrate or an aggregate?

If your pathology report mentions a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, it means these immune cells are spread throughout the affected tissue. This scattered distribution often indicates an ongoing immune response to irritation or damage. If your report describes a lymphoplasmacytic aggregate, this means the cells are clustered together in groups. Clusters typically suggest a more focused or chronic immune response, commonly seen in persistent infections, long-standing inflammation, or autoimmune conditions. Your doctor will consider this information along with your symptoms and medical history to plan your care.

Are lymphoplasmacytic cells cancerous?

Lymphoplasmacytic cells themselves are not necessarily cancerous; they are normal immune cells responding to inflammation or irritation. However, in rare cases, an abnormal increase in these cells can indicate certain types of cancer, such as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, a specific type of blood cancer. Your doctor and pathologist will perform additional tests and evaluations to determine if the lymphoplasmacytic cells seen in your tissue are related to a benign (non-cancerous) inflammatory condition or if they represent a more serious condition.