Burkitt’s leukemia with precursor B-cell immunophenotype and atypical morphology (atypical Burkitt’s leukemia/lymphoma): case report and review of literature

A 45-year-old male presented with fever, night sweats, splenomegaly, high LDH, high uric acid, and high blast count with atypical L3 morphology. Flow cytometry showed neoplastic clone consistent with pre B-cell immunophenotype, on the basis of lack of cytoplasmic immunoglobulins, surface immunoglobulins, and light chain immunoglobulins. Cytogenetic analysis revealed t(8;14)(q24; q32), the characteristic translocation of Burkitt’s leukemia. A few similar case reports of Burkitt’s leukemia with precursor B-cell immunophenotype have been described primarily in pediatric literature and usually with typical L3 morphology. This case recognizes this subset in adult ALL and emphasizes the need for comprehensive diagnostic analysis.