B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma
Lymphoblastic lymphomas (LLs) are rare tumours accounting for approximately 2% of all NHLs (The Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Classification Project 1997). Less than 20% of LLs are of B-cell lineage and these tumours are generally seen in elderly patients, often after transformation of a previously undiagnosed small cell lymphoma. They most commonly present like leukaemia, with infiltration of the bone marrow, blood and CNS.
B-cell LLs comprise lymphoblasts, which are slightly larger than small lymphocytes and have a B-cell phenotype (CD19+, CD79+, sIg+). The immunoglobulin heavy chain gene is usually rearranged; rearrangement of the light chain gene is also seen in some cases1.
References
- Sweetenham J, & Borowiz M. In: Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Mauch P, Armitage J, Coiffier B, Dalla-Favera R, Harris N, ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2004:503-13.
