Reed -- Sternberg cells (also known as lacunar histiocytes for certain types) are different giant cells found with light microscopy in biopsies from individuals with Hodgkin 's lymphoma (a.k.a. Hodgkin 's disease, a type of lymphoma). They are usually derived from B lymphocytes, classically considered crippled germinal center B cells, meaning they have not undergone hypermutation to express their antibody. Seen against a sea of B cells, they give the tissue a moth - eaten appearance.
reed-sternberg cells in lymphatic tissue is diagnostic of
Hodgkin 's lymphoma (a.k.a. Hodgkin 's disease, a type of lymphoma)