Table 2. Major Histopathological Categories of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children and Adolescentsa

WHO ClassificationImmunophenotype Clinical Presentation Chromosome Abnormalities Genes Affected
Burkitt lymphomaMature B cellIntra-abdominal (sporadic), head and neck (non-jaw, sporadic), jaw (endemic), bone marrow, CNS t(8;14)(q24;q32), t(2;8)(p11;q24), t(8;22)(q24;q11)MYC, TCF3, ID3, CCND3, TP53
High-grade B-cell lymphoma with 11q aberrationsMature B cellNodal11q alteration, no MYC rearrangement
Large B-cell lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangementMature B cellNodal (typically head and neck)Cryptic IRF1 rearrangement with IGH locus IRF4
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma Mature B cell Nodal, abdominal, bone, primary CNS (when associated with immunodeficiency), mediastinalNo consistent cytogenetic abnormality identified
Primary mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphomaMature B cell, often CD30+Mediastinal, but may also have other nodal or extranodal disease (i.e., abdominal, often kidney)9p and 2p gainsCIITA, TNFAIP3, SOCS1, PTPN11, STAT6
ALK-positive large B-cell lymphomaGeneralized lymphadenopathy, bone marrow in 25%t(2;5)(p23;q35); less common variant translocations involving ALKALK, NPM
T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphomaT lymphoblasts (TdT, CD2, CD3, CD7, CD4, CD8)Mediastinal mass, bone marrow
B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphomaB lymphoblasts (CD19, CD79a, CD22, CD10, TdT)Skin, soft tissue, bone, lymph nodes, bone marrow
Pediatric-type follicular lymphomaMature B cellNodal (typically head and neck)TNFRSF14, MAP2K1
Pediatric nodal marginal zone lymphomaMature B cellNodal (typically head and neck)

CNS = central nervous system; TdT = terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase; WHO = World Health Organization; + = positive.

aAdapted from Percy et al.[1]

From: Childhood Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment (PDQ®)

Cover of PDQ Cancer Information Summaries
PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet].
Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-.

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