Search

Burkitt Lymphoma (BL) is listed in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lymphoid tumours as an 'aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma', characterized by a high degree of proliferation of the malignant cells and deregulation of the c-MYC gene. The main diagnostic challenge in BL is to distinguish it from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). While in children BL and DLBCL types probably do not differ clinically, and the differential diagnosis between BL and DLBCL may theoretically appear clear-cut, in adults daily practice shows the existence of cases that have morphological features, immunophenotypic and cytogenetics intermediate between DLBCL and BL, and cannot be classified with certainty in these categories. Distinguishing between BL and DLBCL is critical, as the two diseases require different management. This review summarizes the current practical approach, including the use of a large panel of antibodies, and cytogenetic and molecular diagnostic techniques, to distinguish between BL, DLBCL and the provisional category of 'B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma', now listed in the updated WHO classification. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burkitt Lymphoma (BL) is listed in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lymphoid tumours as an 'aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma', characterized by a high degree of proliferation of the malignant cells and deregulation of the c- MYC gene. The main diagnostic challenge in BL is to distinguish it from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). While in children BL and DLBCL types probably do not differ clinically, and the differential diagnosis between BL and DLBCL may theoretically appear clear-cut, in adults daily practice shows the existence of cases that have morphological features, immunophenotypic and cytogenetics intermediate between DLBCL and BL, and cannot be classified with certainty in these categories. Distinguishing between BL and DLBCL is critical, as the two diseases require different management. This review summarizes the current practical approach, including the use of a large panel of antibodies, and cytogenetic and molecular diagnostic techniques, to distinguish between BL, DLBCL and the provisional category of 'B-cell lymphoma, unclassificable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma', now listed in the updated WHO classification. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary orbital non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type extranodal marginal zone lymphoma. Little information is available on its genome as conventional cytogenetics is limited by scarce biopsy material, while fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) explores only selected regions. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) performs full genomic analysis and is applicable to different sources of DNA, such as fresh and frozen cells, as well as paraffin-embedded tissues. In this study, CGH was used to analyse primary MALT lymphoma of the orbit. Aneuploidy was identified in six of the ten cases studied. Gains (19) were more frequent than losses (5). The most frequent duplications involved chromosome 3 (common region at 3q24-qter), as expected in marginal zone lymphoma, and chromosome 6 (common region at 6p21.1-21.3), which is typical of an orbital location. Other chromosome gains were found at 1p, 7, 8q, 9q, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 22, and X. Losses were located at 1q, 6q, 9q, 11q, and 13q. Two cases showed isolated duplications of chromosome 6p or 9q. Isolated imbalances were found only in tumours affecting the conjunctiva. Complex aneuploidies were observed in lymphoma of the retro-orbital tissue. In summary, CGH in orbital MALT lymphoma provided new insights into typical genomic imbalances and underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]