Burkitt Lymphoma

Burkitt lymphoma is a high grade B cell lymphoma composed of medium-sized monomorphic lymphoid cells. The cytology of the nuclei includes finely dispersed chromatin. By touch prep, the cells resemble lymphoblasts, often with cytoplasmic lipid filled vacuoles. In tissue section, the nuclear appearance can be variable from regular round appearance to that with more irregularity.

Burkitt lymphomas are characterized by the translocation of the MYC gene usually with IGH, t(8;14)(q24;q32). Less common translocations include t(2;8) and t(8;22). Interestingly, ~10% of cases with a classic appearance and phenotype do not have an identifiable MYC rearrangement.

Practically, using a break apart FISH probe for the MYC gene is a simple yet efficient way of confirming the diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma.

Photomircrographs

Monomorphic population of medium-sized lymphoid cells

BCL-2 Burkitt Lymphoma — Absence of BCL-2 expression.

CD10 Burkitt Lymphoma — CD10 expression in Burkitt Lymphoma.

CD20 Burkitt Lymphoma — CD20 expression in Burkitt Lymphoma.

Ki-67 Burkitt Lymphoma — Near 100% expression of Ki-67 in Burkitt Lymphoma.

Immunohistochemical Expression Profile

CD3	Negative
CD5	Negative
CD10	Positive
CD19	Positive
CD20	Positive
CD23	Negative
TdT	Negative
Bcl-2	Negative
Bcl-6	Positive
CD79a	Positive
Cyclin D1	Negative
Ki-67	Almost 100%
MUM-1	Negative
p53	Positive

References

Swerdlow SH, Campo E, Harris, NL, Jaffe ES, Pileri SA, Stein H, Thiele J (Eds): WHO Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues (Revised 4th edition). IARC: Lyon 2017

Parker, A., et. al. “Best Practice in Lymphoma Diagnosis and Reporting.” British Committee for Standards in Haematology, Royal College of Pathologists. April, 2010.