Subscribe to Newsletter
Subspecialties Hematology, Training and education, Oncology

High-Grade B Cell Lymphoma with Leukemic Presentation

Clinical history 

42-year-old man with no prior medical history had emergent neurosurgical decompression of a cervical spinal tumor after acute onset of paraplegia. At presentation, he was noted to have marked leukocytosis and was transferred to our institution for treatment of suspected acute leukemia.

Imaging 

No lymphadenopathy or focal PET+ lesions other than the cervical spine lesion.

Complete blood count and differential (reference range)

Peripheral blood and bone marrow morphology

Bone marrow trephine biopsy shows extensive replacement of normal hematopoietic elements by an infiltrate of immature-appearing mononuclear cells with an interstitial pattern of involvement. Apoptotic cells are readily identifiable (A; H&E 400x). The bone marrow aspirate smear shows numerous large, atypical mononuclear cells with scant basophilic cytoplasm, finely dispersed nuclear chromatin, and prominent nucleoli (B; Giemsa 1000x). Examination of the peripheral blood smear shows numerous circulating cells similar to those observed in the bone marrow aspirate smear (B, inset; Giemsa 1000x). Images courtesy of Chi Young Ok, MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Flow cytometry

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of the bone marrow aspirate sample showed a large population of monotypic CD10+ B cells.

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of peripheral blood samples shows an expanded population of CD19+ cells. Backgating the CD19+ population (pink gate) shows the CD19+ events with bright CD45 expression. The CD19+ cells show bright CD38 and dim TdT expression (top panel). The population of interest shows monotypic expression of surface kappa light chain, bright expression of CD20, dim expression of CD22, and is positive for CD10 and negative for CD5, supporting germinal center B cell derivation (bottom panel).

Immunohistochemical characterization of neoplastic lymphoid cells

Fluorescence in situ hybridization performed on bone marrow

Fluorescence in situ hybridization performed on the bone marrow aspirate sample showed rearrangement of MYC and BCL2 in 83 and 90 percent of analyzed interphases, respectively. The MYC probe (A) hybridizes to band 8q24.2 (5′ MYC is centromeric and labeled in spectrum orange; 3′ MYC is telomeric and labeled in spectrum green). The BCL2 probe (B) hybridizes to band 18q21 (3′ BCL2 is centromeric and labeled in spectrum green; 5′ BCL2 is telomeric and labeled in spectrum orange).

Cytologic and flow cytometric examination of cerebrospinal fluid showed involvement by B cell neoplasm. 

Final diagnosis

High-grade B cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements with leukemic presentation and central nervous system involvement.

Case Discussion

The pathologist’s view
B cell neoplasms with blastoid morphologic features are further subclassified into B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, high-grade B cell lymphoma, NOS, and double-hit B cell lymphoma, according to the 2016 WHO classification (1). Using the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended diagnostic algorithm, the distinction between B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma and the latter two entities is made by assessing the presence or absence of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) expression.

This patient presents with primarily leukemic, non-nodal disease with numerous circulating blastoid neoplastic cells. Given the clinical presentation and morphologic features, the major differential diagnosis in this case is de novo B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. This morphologic conundrum is not new; before the age of routine phenotyping confirmed that circulating Burkitt lymphoma cells are mature B cells, they were considered “L3 blasts.” For the pathologist, differentiating mature from immature lymphoid cells is a significant first step in the diagnosis, for which ancillary studies are essential. In this case, initial flow cytometry (FCM) immunophenotypic studies demonstrated markers that support a mature lymphoma cell phenotype: bright CD45 and presence of uniformly bright surface CD20 expression with surface light chain restriction are features not typical of B-ALL. However, FCM also showed dim TdT expression. Given FCM support for a more mature immunophenotype, we performed additional FISH studies that confirmed the presence of concurrent MYC and BCL2 rearrangements and established a diagnosis of high-grade B cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements (previously “double-hit” lymphoma). Notably, these ancillary FISH studies are not routinely recommended in patients with de novo B-ALL and therefore classification as B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, NOS based on TdT expression may have led to omission of these studies from the diagnostic workup. In the example presented here, the discrepancy between TdT expression as detected by FCM versus immunohistochemistry is likely attributable to the higher sensitivity of FCM.

There is little guidance on whether TdT expression trumps maturity markers for classification of B cell neoplasms; however, TdT expression has been reported in de novo high-grade B cell lymphomas with MYC, BCL2, and/or BCL6 rearrangements, in “transformed” aggressive B cell lymphomas in patients with known follicular lymphoma, and in other mature B cell lymphomas that acquired TdT expression at relapse (2,3). Awareness of this phenomenon and appropriate disease classification is clinically relevant because it has direct prognostic and management implications (2).

The hematologist’s view

Double trouble: Leukemic phase and CNS involvement in double-hit lymphoma.

The management of patients with high-grade B cell lymphomas with translocations involving MYC and BCL2 or BCL6, colloquially referred to as “double-hit lymphomas” (DHL), is doubly challenging because of their aggressive clinical presentation and poor long-term prognosis after standard immunochemotherapy.

This case is particularly unique because of the one-two punch of a leukemic presentation and central nervous system (CNS) involvement at time of diagnosis. Though bone marrow involvement is relatively common in DHL, leukemic phase presentation with circulating lymphoma in the peripheral blood occurs in only 12 percent of patients and is associated with inferior overall survival (4). Double-hit status and leukemic presentation are likely both associated with risk of secondary CNS involvement (5), found in approximately 10 percent of DHL at diagnosis and also associated with inferior overall survival (4).

How should this critically ill patient be managed in the acute setting? They should be admitted to an intensive care unit for close monitoring. Risk for spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome is high; telemetry to watch for arrythmias, allopurinol, and brisk continuous intravenous fluids as tolerated are important baseline interventions. Rasburicase is likely needed to rapidly lower uric acid levels. Renal replacement therapy may also be required to support the patient through the immediate crisis. Symptomatic leukostasis is typically associated with acute leukemias secondary to large circulating leukemic blasts plugging microvasculature. It is unclear whether this phenomenon can happen with circulating lymphoma cells but, with such significant hyperleukocytosis, we would consider leukapheresis, particularly if the patient has respiratory, cardiac, or nervous system symptoms. Prephase intravenous corticosteroids can be used for cytoreduction while finalizing a definitive treatment plan.

After stabilizing this patient, which systemic therapy regimen should be used? Retrospective (4,6,7) and single-arm prospective (8) studies suggest the superiority of intensive immunochemotherapy regimens such as dose-adjusted rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide (DA-R-EPOCH) over standard therapy (R-CHOP). DA-R-EPOCH is an appropriate choice for most DH-L (6), but does not contain agents that adequately penetrate the CNS. Although CNS prophylaxis may include the addition of intrathecal (IT) or high-dose systemic methotrexate depending on the treating institution (9), this patient presented with CNS involvement at diagnosis and requires a strategy to rapidly clear disease in his bone marrow and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

The combination of rituximab, fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone alternating with intravenous methotrexate and cytarabine (R-hyperCVAD) is commonly used in the treatment of B cell lymphoid neoplasms that carry a high risk of CNS involvement or relapse (10). This intensive regimen can be difficult for older patients to tolerate, but comes with the benefit of adequate CNS penetration by the inclusion of systemic methotrexate and cytarabine on “even” cycles. If this patient has adequate performance status, we recommend eight cycles of R-hyperCVAD, adding IT chemotherapy with each cycle. For a less fit patient, six cycles of DA-R-EPOCH with IT chemotherapy and mid-cycle systemic methotrexate (11) would be another effective choice.

How should this patient be monitored on therapy? Response assessment during frontline immunochemotherapy in DLBCL is done with a PET/CT scan at baseline, at an interim timepoint during treatment, and at end of treatment to assess for reduction in systemic disease (12). This alone would not be adequate for this patient because he has disease sites not easily detectable by PET/CT. He should have magnetic resonance imaging of the CNS and flow cytometric and cytopathologic assessment of CSF with each dose of IT chemotherapy. He should also undergo bone marrow assessment during and at the end of treatment to ensure marrow involvement has cleared. Flow cytometry on peripheral blood can also be used for disease monitoring. The goal of therapy would be to achieve a complete response (CR) on imaging studies, in the CSF, and in the bone marrow at end of treatment.

Should this patient receive consolidative therapy if he is able to achieve a CR? Generally, patients with DHL who achieve a first CR after intensive immunochemotherapy have good outcomes and do not benefit from consolidative high dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). (13). However, this patient has secondary CNS lymphoma. Outcomes of patients with systemic lymphoma who suffer primary CNS lymphoma (14) or CNS relapse (15) and are consolidated with HDC and ASCT after induction therapy are encouraging. Notably, these studies and others favor the inclusion of thiotepa in the ASCT conditioning regimen for better CNS penetrance. We recommend this patient receive an ASCT with thiotepa-based conditioning in his first CR to maximize chances of long-term remission.

This patient faces numerous hurdles in the short- and long-term that could easily prevent him from achieving a cure. Treatment-refractory or relapsed disease would mean a dismal prognosis. Additional treatment strategies and novel agents are needed for DHL management, and we eagerly await the results of clinical trials in progress.

Read on to discover our other lymphoid cases...

Case 1: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma – Accelerated Phase
Case 2: Lymphoma-Driven Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Case 4: Low-Grade Follicular Lymphoma with Increased Proliferation Index

Receive content, products, events as well as relevant industry updates from The Pathologist and its sponsors.
Stay up to date with our other newsletters and sponsors information, tailored specifically to the fields you are interested in

When you click “Subscribe” we will email you a link, which you must click to verify the email address above and activate your subscription. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at [email protected].
If you wish to unsubscribe, you can update your preferences at any point.

  1. PM Kluin et al., “High-grade B-cell lymphoma,” WHO Classification of Tumors of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues, 4th edition, 335. IARC: 2017.
  2. CY Ok et al., “High-grade B-cell lymphomas with TdT expression: a diagnostic and classification dilemma,” Mod Pathology, 32, 48 (2019). PMID: 30181564.
  3. S Loghavi et al., “B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma,” Am J Clin Pathol, 144, 393 (2015). PMID: 26276770.
  4. Y Oki et al., “Double hit lymphoma: the MD Anderson Cancer Center clinical experience,” Br J Haematol, 166, 891 (2014). PMID: 24943107.
  5. D Zou et al., “BCL-2 and MYC gain/amplification is correlated with central nervous system involvement in diffuse large B cell lymphoma at leukemic phase,” BMC Med Genet, 18, 16 (2017). PMID: 28209136.
  6. AM Petrich et al., “Impact of induction regimen and stem cell transplantation on outcomes in double-hit lymphoma: a multicenter retrospective analysis,” Blood, 124, 2354 (2014). PMID: 25161267.
  7. C Howlett et al., “Front-line, dose-escalated immunochemotherapy is associated with a significant progression-free survival advantage in patients with double-hit lymphomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” Br J Haematol, 170, 504 (2015). PMID: 25907897.
  8. K Dunleavy et al., “Dose-adjusted EPOCH-R (etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and rituximab) in untreated aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with MYC rearrangement: a prospective, multicentre, single-arm phase 2 study,” Lancet Haematol, 5, e609 (2018). PMID: 30501868.
  9. CK Chin, CY Cheah, “How I treat patients with aggressive lymphoma at high risk of CNS relapse,” Blood, 130, 867 (2017). PMID: 28611025.
  10. DA Thomas et al., “Chemoimmunotherapy with hyper-CVAD plus rituximab for the treatment of adult Burkitt and Burkitt-type lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia,” Cancer, 106, 1569 (2006). PMID: 16502413.
  11. D Chihara et al., “Dose-adjusted EPOCH-R and mid-cycle high dose methotrexate for patients with systemic lymphoma and secondary CNS involvement,” Br J Haematol, 179, 851 (2017). PMID: 27502933.
  12. BD Cheson et al., “Recommendations for initial evaluation, staging, and response assessment of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: the Lugano classification,” Journal of clinical oncology: official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology,” 32, 3059 (2014). PMID: 25113753.
  13. DJ Landsburg et al., “Outcomes of patients with double-hit lymphoma who achieve first complete remission,” J Clin Oncol, 35, 2260 (2014). PMID: 28475457.
  14. G Illerhaus et al., “High-dose chemotherapy with autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplantation for newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma: a prospective, single-arm, phase 2 trial,” Lancet Haematol, 3, e388 (2016). PMID: 27476790.
  15. A Korfel et al., “Phase II study of central nervous system (CNS)-directed chemotherapy including high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation for CNS relapse of aggressive lymphomas,” Haematologica, 98, 364 (2013). PMID: 23242601.
About the Authors
Sanam Loghavi

Assistant Professor of Hematopathology, Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.


Kamran Mirza

Professor of Pathology and Director of the Division of Education Programs, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.


Hua-Jay Cherng

Hematology-oncology fellow in the Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.


Jason Westin

Director of Lymphoma Clinical Research, Section Chief of Aggressive Lymphoma, and Associate Professor in the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

Related Application Notes
ClearLLab 10C Panel Markers and how they are combined

| Contributed by Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

ClearLLab Control Cells - A Process Control for ClearLLab 10C Application

| Contributed by Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

The Analysis of FFPE Samples by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) of Key Genes for Research into Breast and Ovarian Cancer

| Contributed by Oxford Gene Technology

Most Popular
Register to The Pathologist

Register to access our FREE online portfolio, request the magazine in print and manage your preferences.

You will benefit from:
  • Unlimited access to ALL articles
  • News, interviews & opinions from leading industry experts
  • Receive print (and PDF) copies of The Pathologist magazine

Register