BURKITT LYMPHOMA WITH ABERRANT IMMUNOPHENOTYPE IMPOSING DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGE

Authors

  • Neelum Mansoor The Indus hospital, Karachi
  • Nausheen Yaqoob Department of Haematology, Indus Hospital, Karachi-Pakistan
  • Fatima Meraj Department of Haematology, Indus Hospital, Karachi-Pakistan
  • Naeem Jabbar Department of Haematology, Indus Hospital, Karachi-Pakistan
  • Saba Jamal Department of Haematology, The Indus hospital, Karachi-Pakistan

Keywords:

Burkitt lymphoma; Aberrant immunophenotype; Cytogenetic; Paediatric

Abstract

Background: Burkitt lymphoma (BL) exhibits a characteristic immunophenotype that is positive for pan–B-cell antigens and germinal center markers while negative for immature markers. A deviation from classic immunophenotype can cause diagnostic confusion and might result in false exclusion of BL. In some cases, overlapping clinical, morphological and immunophenotypic features of BL and B lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-LL) can be of diagnostic challenge. However, definitive delineation is of paramount importance due to difference in treatment. We describe a case of BL in a child with atypical features including absence of L3 morphology in diagnostic tissue and aberrant expression of CD34, CD99 and BCL2 on immunohistochemistry. These findings led to the interpretation of B-LL which was later on excluded by detection of t (8;14). This unorthodox case not only highlights the importance of cytogenetic testing but also emphasizes the correlation of all the diagnostic tools before making a definitive diagnosis. Therefore, reporting this case will help in eliciting the high index of suspicion among pathologists for this exceptionally unusual immunophenotype.

Author Biography

Neelum Mansoor, The Indus hospital, Karachi

ConsultantDepartment of Hematology

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Published

2021-11-08

Issue

Vol. 33 No. No-4, SUPPL.1 (2021): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE ABBOTTABAD

Section

CASE REPORT

License

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