Transformation of follicular lymphoma to Burkitt-like lymphoma within a single lymph node.
Aberrant expression of bcl-2 , caused by a t(14;18) translocation, is most commonly associated with follicular lymphoma. In a subset of these tumors, additional acquisition of a translocation involving c-myc leads to transformation to a high-grade lymphoma. We report a case of follicular lymphoma containing a t(14;18) translocation transforming into a Burkitt-like lymphoma containing the original t(14;18) as well as an additional t(8;14). The latter translocation resulted in the phenotype of Burkitt-like lymphoma, and the transformation from follicular lymphoma to Burkitt-like lymphoma was demonstrable within a single lymph node. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a case documenting direct transformation of follicular lymphoma into Burkitt-like lymphoma in the same lymph node. This case illustrates the dramatic oncogenic stimulus that results from the inhibition of apoptosis by bcl-2 combined with the deregulation of cell growth by c-myc .
Mukhopadhyay
Sanjay
S
Department of Pathology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, 13210, USA. mukhopas@upstate.edu
Readling
Joseph
J
Cotter
Philip D
PD
Shrimpton
Anthony E
AE
Sidhu
Jagmohan S
JS
D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019254:Genes, bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics; D016259:Genes, myc / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014178:Translocation, Genetic