Follicular lymphoma with a burkitt translocation--predictor of an aggressive clinical course: a case report and review of the literature

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2004 Feb;128(2):210-3. doi: 10.5858/2004-128-210-FLWABT.

Abstract

Follicular lymphoma is an indolent lymphoma characterized by the (14;18) translocation, which leads to aberrant expression of Bcl-2. Translocations involving 8q24 are most commonly associated with Burkitt lymphoma and result in c-Myc overexpression. We report a case of follicular lymphoma of predominant small cleaved-cell type (grade 1) associated with both a t(14;18)(q32;q21) and a t(8;22)(q24;q11). The 8q24 translocation predicted an aggressive clinical course, as the lymphoma transformed into acute lymphoblastic leukemia within a year of initial diagnosis. Routine cytogenetic analysis is recommended at initial diagnosis of follicular lymphoma to better identify abnormalities that may predict prognosis and influence therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Burkitt Lymphoma / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8*
  • Cytogenetic Analysis
  • Disease Progression
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genes, bcl-2
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Translocation, Genetic*