Progressive transformation of germinal centres (PTGCs) is a reactive lymph node process of undetermined cause.
PTGC is usually characterized by localized lymphadenopathy and is otherwise typically asymptomatic.
PTGC is diagnosed by surgical excision of the affected lymph node(s), and examination by a pathologist. The differential diagnosis includes non-neoplastic causes of lymphadenopathy (e.g. cat-scratch fever, Kikuchi disease) and malignancy, i.e. cancer.
PTGCs is characterized by:
PTGC is treated by excisional biopsy and follow-up. It may occasionally recur and a small proportion of patients have been reported to subsequently develop nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.