Diffuse follicular lymphoma variant with a typical diagnostic pattern and an unusually aggressive clinical presentation

Diffuse follicular lymphoma (FL) variant is a rare condition that shows distinctive clinical, morphological, immunophenotypic, and molecular features that distinguish it from classical FL. Diffuse FL variant is characterized by a predominantly diffuse growth pattern, absence of the t (14;18) IGH/BCL2 translocation, CD23 expression, and presence of 1p36 deletion. Gene mutations involving STAT6 have been reported, with nuclear expression of STAT6 and phosphorylated STAT6 detected by immunohistochemistry. Patients frequently present with inguinal node involvement and low clinical stage. We describe the case of an 80-year-old female diagnosed with diffuse FL variant, presented with a classic diagnostic pattern and an unusual aggressive clinical onset.