ALL Burkitt is described with lymphoblasts that are deeply basophilic and vacuolated. Which diagnosis does this support?

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Multiple Choice

ALL Burkitt is described with lymphoblasts that are deeply basophilic and vacuolated. Which diagnosis does this support?

The description points to Burkitt-type ALL. Lymphoblasts in this form are characteristically large to medium in size with deeply basophilic cytoplasm and numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles, which give a distinct appearance often described in Burkitt L3 morphology. This combination is classic for Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma and helps distinguish it from other ALL subtypes that have small blasts with scant cytoplasm and less vacuolization (think ALL with L1/L2 morphology). It also differentiates from myeloid disorders: chronic myeloid leukemia shows mature granulocytic proliferation rather than lymphoblasts, and acute myeloid leukemia with M3 (promyelocytic) features Auer rods and a myeloid lineage rather than the lymphoid, vacuolated blasts seen here. So, the most fitting diagnosis is ALL with Burkitt morphology (Burkitt-type ALL).

The description points to Burkitt-type ALL. Lymphoblasts in this form are characteristically large to medium in size with deeply basophilic cytoplasm and numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles, which give a distinct appearance often described in Burkitt L3 morphology. This combination is classic for Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma and helps distinguish it from other ALL subtypes that have small blasts with scant cytoplasm and less vacuolization (think ALL with L1/L2 morphology). It also differentiates from myeloid disorders: chronic myeloid leukemia shows mature granulocytic proliferation rather than lymphoblasts, and acute myeloid leukemia with M3 (promyelocytic) features Auer rods and a myeloid lineage rather than the lymphoid, vacuolated blasts seen here.

So, the most fitting diagnosis is ALL with Burkitt morphology (Burkitt-type ALL).

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