Malignant lymphoma of B- and T-cell precursors

Abstract

Lymphoblastic lymphoma occurs at all ages (Nathwani et al., 1981; Streuli et al., 1981) but is most frequently seen in childhood and adolescence. In Europe and North America it is the commonest non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the paediatric age group. A high proportion of patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma, particularly in the younger age groups have, or subsequently develop, lymphoblastic leukaemia. The use of marker studies, specific antibodies and cytochemistry has identified four subtypes of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), (Greaves, 1981) (Table 10.1). Lymphoblastic lymphoma and leukaemia share immunological and clinical features and may be regarded as different stages of progression of the same neoplasm (Crist et al., 1981). However although the most prevalent subtypes of lymphoblastic leukaemia are of the common or null-cell phenotype, the T-cell or B-cell phenotypes are more frequently associated with tumour masses and are, therefore, more likely to be seen by histopathologists. The anatomical distribution of the tumour gives a clue to its phenotype. Most abdominal tumours are of B-cell type and mediastinal tumours of T-cell type whereas those presenting as peripheral lymphadenopathy are usually of null-cell or T-cell type (Crist et al., 1981).