Lymphoproliferative conditions of the serosa.

CONTEXT: A diverse and complex variety of lymphoproliferative diseases may involve the serosa, with widely differing clinical outcomes encompassing a spectrum of benign and malignant conditions.
OBJECTIVE: To review lymphoproliferative disease involving the serosa and to provide a practical approach to the evaluation of lymphoid and plasma cell infiltrates in the serosa, together with a review of various tumors and tumorlike conditions that may mimic lymphoproliferative disease. DATA SOURCES: Analysis of published literature.
CONCLUSIONS: All forms of hematologic malignancy may involve the various serosal sites, although this is usually observed as secondary involvement in persons with known lymph nodal, marrow-based, or extranodal disease. Primary pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal lymphomas are rare; many nonneoplastic conditions may mimic lymphoma and a variety of nonhematolymphoid tumors may simulate hematologic malignancies. An understanding of the role of ancillary tests, together with an appreciation of their limitations, will prevent misdiagnosis.