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Update on the Molecular Pathology of Precursor Lymphoid Leukemias

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Hematopathology

Part of the book series: Molecular and Translational Medicine ((MOLEMED))

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Abstract

The precursor lymphoid malignancies are a group of neoplasms derived from either hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) or committed lymphoid progenitor cells, depending upon the underlying genetic lesion. Because the malignant cells in these tumors share many of the genetic (e.g., ongoing rearrangement of antigen receptor genes), and immunophenotypic (e.g., expression of progenitor markers such as CD34 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase) properties of normal lymphoid progenitors, they are categorized under the World Health Organization (WHO) classification as “precursor lymphoid malignancies” [1]. These neoplasms include precursor B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-LBL), precursor T-lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), and precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL). B-ALL is significantly more common than T-lineage disease, with the latter comprising only 10–15% and 25% of ALL in children and adults, respectively. Although they may develop at any age, the precursor lymphoid malignancies arise most frequently in children, in whom ALL is the most common malignancy. The lineage of the malignant lymphoblasts, most commonly determined by flow cytometry-based immunophenotyping, greatly influences the likelihood of lymphomatous versus leukemic presentation [2]. With B-lineage disease, a leukemic presentation is much more common, whereas T-lymphoblastic malignancies manifest more frequently as a lymphoma most often an anterior mediastinal thymic mass.

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  1. Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA

    Robert B. Lorsbach

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  1. , Department of Clinical Pathology, William Beaumont Hospital, West 13 Mile Road 3601, Royal Oak, 48073-6769, USA

    Domnita Crisan

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© 2011 Humana Press

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Lorsbach, R.B. (2011). Update on the Molecular Pathology of Precursor Lymphoid Leukemias. In: Crisan, D. (eds) Hematopathology. Molecular and Translational Medicine. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-262-9_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-262-9_4

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