Burkitt lymphoma has a characteristic chromosomal translocation that results in MYC oncogene overexpression. The translocation juxtaposes MYC with:

• A Immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (chromosome 14), IgH promoter ✓
• B Immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (chromosome 14), BCL2 gene
• C BCL6 gene (chromosome 3)
• D Cyclin D1 gene (chromosome 11)

Explanation

Burkitt lymphoma's defining event is t(8;14), where MYC on chromosome 8 is translocated next to the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus on chromosome 14, placing MYC under the powerful IgH promoter and causing constitutive MYC overexpression, driving unrestricted cell proliferation. BCL2 with IgH [t(14;18)] characterizes follicular lymphoma; BCL6 rearrangements are seen in DLBCL; Cyclin D1 with IgH [t(11;14)] defines mantle cell lymphoma.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.