If the tissue is too autolyzed for standard histology, it will not be usable for other techniques. There are methods for evaluating clonality in sections of lymphoid tissue, but they are quite elaborate and probably wouldn't work with this tissue.

I am surprised that there would be so much autolysis that you couldn't make even a tentative diagnosis by histology. If the tissues were placed in formalin, even if the amount of formalin was insufficient, there should be at least some fixed tissue at the periphery that might be usable. Even with badly autolyzed tissue, it is often possible to distinguish the pre-existing cellular architecture, which would remain structurally organized in a non-neoplastic lymph node, but would no longer be apparent in a lymphosarcoma. Also, are you sure that the tissue is actually inadequately fixed, rather than simply necrotic ?

Thanks Jean-Martin. The tissues were collected from a carcass that was frozen for months. Also, according to the client, the time period when it was frozen was challenged with interrupted power supply. Grossly, the tentative diagnosis could be made , but histopathologically I couldn't. It showed a characteristic autolytic picture

You might still try immunohistochemistry. It would have to be well controlled though, with appropriate negative and positive controls. In spite of all limitations and with a bit of luck, it might allow you to arrive at a tentative diagnosis even in poorly preserved tissues.

• Yes,depending on the duration before fixation or the quality of fixative which will determine the extent of nuclear damage but since you said partly autolyzed, it is possble because lymphocytes have abundant nuclear that keep for up to 72 hrs.

It is extremely difficult to properly diagnose and classify lymphoma on autolyzed lymph node tissue.

Immunohistochemical stains sometimes can stain necrotic tumor cells, but it would be difficult to do a proper judgement on immunohistochemical staining for autolyzed tissue to reach an accurate diagnosis..