Chromosomal imbalances in pediatric Burkitt-like lymphoma and review of the literature in relation to other germinal center derived B-cell tumors

Abstract

This study reports on the cytogenetic features of a novel case of pediatric Burkitt-like lymphoma (BLL), that adds to the three published. Four groups of cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in the present case: (1) imbalances shared by most germinal center (GC) derived B-cell tumors including BLL (+1q, −6q, −8p, +8q24 and +11); (2) imbalances already reported in adult but not in pediatric BLL cases and shared with most GC B-cell tumors (+7, −9p, −9q, +12q, −13q, +17, +19, −3 and −4); (3) imbalances already reported in pediatric but not in adult BLL cases and shared with some GC B-cell tumors (−2q); and (4) imbalances never described before in pediatric or adult BLL, but present in different GC B-cell tumors (−6p, −1p and −18q). In view of the paucity of pediatric BLL cases published, this report adds novel, relevant information on the molecular cytogenetic features of this rare tumor.

Keywords:

• Burkitt-like lymphoma
• germinal center derived B-cell tumors
• chromosomal imbalances
• CGH
• FISH