Abstract
Summary: B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable (B-UCL), with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma, is a poorly characterized entity. Therefore, we investigated cases of B-UCL treated by the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group (NLSG). We searched the NLSG registry for years 1985-2010 for cases of B-UCL. Immunohistochemical stains and fluorescence in situ hybridization studies for MYC, BCL2 and BCL6 gene rearrangements were performed. Among the 39 cases studied, 54% were male and 46% were female, with a median age of 69 years. The majority of patients presented with advanced-stage disease (62%) and had high (3-5) International Prognostic Index (IPI) scores (54%). The median overall survival (OS) was only 9 months and the 5-year OS was 30%. Patients with low IPI scores (0-2) had a better survival than those with high scores (3-5). The cases were genetically heterogeneous and included 11 'double-hit' lymphomas with rearrangements of both MYC and BCL2 or BCL6. None of the immunohistochemical or genetic features was predictive of survival. This B-cell lymphoma is a morphologically-recognizable entity with a spectrum of genetic abnormalities. New and better treatments are needed for this aggressive lymphoma.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 40-49 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | British Journal of Haematology |
Volume | 162 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2013 |
Keywords
- BCL2
- Burkitt lymphoma
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- MYC
- Unclassifiable B-cell lymphoma
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology