Bellan Cristiana, Stefano Lazzi, Giulia De Falco, Rogena Emily A, Lorenzo Leoncini
Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Hematol Oncol. 2009 Dec;27(4):182-5. doi: 10.1002/hon.914.
Burkitt Lymphoma (BL) is listed in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lymphoid tumours as an "aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma", characterized by a high degree of proliferation of the malignant cells and deregulation of the c-MYC gene. The main diagnostic challenge in BL is to distinguish it from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). While in children BL and DLBCL types probably do not differ clinically, and the differential diagnosis between BL and DLBCL may theoretically appear clear-cut, in adults daily practice shows the existence of cases that have morphological features, immunophenotypic and cytogenetics intermediate between DLBCL and BL, and cannot be classified with certainty in these categories. Distinguishing between BL and DLBCL is critical, as the two diseases require different management. This review summarizes the current practical approach, including the use of a large panel of antibodies, and cytogenetic and molecular diagnostic techniques, to distinguish between BL, DLBCL and the provisional category of "B-cell lymphoma, unclassificable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma", now listed in the updated WHO classification.
伯基特淋巴瘤（BL）在世界卫生组织（WHO）淋巴肿瘤分类中被列为“侵袭性B细胞非霍奇金淋巴瘤”，其特征为恶性细胞高度增殖以及c-MYC基因失调。BL的主要诊断挑战在于将其与弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤（DLBCL）区分开来。虽然在儿童中，BL和DLBCL类型在临床上可能并无差异，并且从理论上讲，BL与DLBCL之间的鉴别诊断可能很明确，但在成人的日常实践中发现，存在一些病例具有介于DLBCL和BL之间的形态学特征、免疫表型和细胞遗传学特征，无法明确归类于这两种类型。区分BL和DLBCL至关重要，因为这两种疾病需要不同的治疗方法。本综述总结了当前的实用方法，包括使用大量抗体以及细胞遗传学和分子诊断技术，以区分BL、DLBCL以及目前在WHO更新分类中列出的“无法分类的B细胞淋巴瘤，具有介于弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤和伯基特淋巴瘤之间的特征”这一临时类别。
