Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Establishment of Epstein-Barr Virus Growth-transformed Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines
Published on: November 8, 2011
[Early transformation from follicular lymphoma to Burkitt lymphoma]
Takeshi Takahashi1, Takeshi Hara, Takeshi Yoshikawa
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Gifu Municipal Hospital.
Insights
This case study details a rare follicular lymphoma transformation into Burkitt lymphoma post-treatment. The aggressive progression highlights challenges in managing refractory lymphoma subtypes.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Transformation to aggressive lymphoma subtypes can occur.
- Genetic abnormalities, including t(14;18), are common in FL.
Observation:
- A 51-year-old male with grade 2 FL (stage IIIA) presented with lymphadenopathy.
- Initial treatment involved chemotherapy (CHOP regimen) and irradiation for hydronephrosis.
- Disease recurrence manifested as numb chin syndrome and bone marrow involvement.
Findings:
- The lymphoma rapidly transformed into a Burkitt-like lymphoma.
- Cytogenetic analysis revealed complex abnormalities, including t(8;22) alongside the initial t(14;18).
- The transformed lymphoma showed resistance to salvage chemotherapy.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for rapid transformation in follicular lymphoma.
- Aggressive subtypes may require different therapeutic strategies.
- Understanding complex karyotypic changes is crucial for predicting lymphoma behavior.
Abstract:
We report a rare case of follicular lymphoma which rapidly showed transformation to the Burkitt type of lymphoma after a treatment consisting of chemotherapy and irradiation. A 51-year-old male visited our hospital in August 2000 because of bilateral neck lymphadenopathy. He was diagnosed as having follicular lymphoma (grade 2) (clinical stage IIIA) with complex karyotypic abnormalities involving t(14 ; 18)(q32 ; q21) and CD20 expression. Initially he was followed as an outpatient without chemotherapy. Six months later, he was admitted because of hydronephrosis due to an intrapelvic tumor. He underwent chemotherapy with 4 courses of CHOP regimen following irradiation therapy and a partial response was obtained. Four months after initiation of the treatment, his disease recurred with numb chin syndrome. Bone marrow aspiration revealed bone marrow involvement by lymphoma cells which had a Burkitt-like appearance. A cytogenetic study using bone marrow blood showed complex abnormalities involving t(8 ; 22)(q24 ; q11) in addition to t(14 ; 18). In spite of salvage chemotherapy, the patient died in September 2001.
