โ Scribed by WRIGHT, D. H.
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) has been defined on the basis of its characteristic cytomorphology. Although histologically identical, endemic BL and sporadic BL are distinct clinico-anatomical entities. Their morphological identity probably relates to similar chromosomal translocations in both tumours, resulting in c-myc de-regulation and consequent unrestrained proliferation without differentiation. Similar gene rearrangements are found in a proportion of AIDS-related lymphomas that are predominantly extranodal and have the cytomorphology of BL. The term ''Burkitt-like lymphoma'' (BLL) has been applied to a group of high-grade B-cell lymphomas that appear morphologically intermediate between BL and centroblastic/immunoblastic lymphomas, as detailed in an accompanying paper in this issue. These tumours do not usually show c-myc gene rearrangements. The association of Burkitt's name with such a disparate group of tumours is confusing and new terminology for sporadic BL, AIDS-related BL and BLL is desirable. It is important that clinico-anatomical features, as well as cytomorphology, should be taken into account in the diagnosis of endemic BL. The origin of a case from tropical Africa does not, in itself, imply that it is endemic BL, even more since the AIDS epidemic in that continent. 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
๐ SIMILAR VOLUMES
A total of 100 patients with American Burkitt's lymphoma (AMBL) (mean age, 15 years; M:F ratio 3:l; 3% black) have been treated at the National Cancer Institute since 1964. Eighteen of these had jaw involvement, 16 at presentation and 2 at relapse (mean age, 16 years; M:F ratio 1.6:l). None of these