Variant translocation in a non endemic case of Burkitt's lymphoma: t (8;22) in an Epstein-Barr virus negative tumour and in a derived cell line

After clinical and histopathological diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) in a male Caucasian child with jaw and abdominal tumours, both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytogenetic studies were performed. The absence of EB viral markers within the tumour cells and the normal EBV serological profile of the patient indicated that this non-endemic BL case was not associated with the virus. Cytogenetic examination of the tumour cells showed a t(8;22) translocation, suggesting that this case represents an example of the variant translocations newly observed in cases of BL. It indicates that chromosome 8 rearrangement with a break-point at 8q23 is a characteristic feature of this particular lymphoma.