Cytogenetic and molecular studies of t(14;18) and t(14;19) in nodal and extranodal B-cell lymphoma.

We have examined 107 cases of B-cell lymphoma for the t(14;18) translocation, characteristically described in follicular lymphoma. B-Cell lymphomas of extranodal origin, and in particular malignancies derived from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), were compared with node-based lymphomas of follicular and diffuse morphology. Cytogenetic techniques were supplemented by molecular analysis using probes which recognize both the major and the minor breakpoint regions of the bcl-2 gene located on chromosome 18 (q21). t(14;18) was detected in 55 per cent of follicular and 27 per cent of diffuse B-cell lymphomas thought to be of follicle centre cell origin. Cytogenetics and molecular analysis proved equally effective in demonstrating the translocation. t(14;18) was not observed in the 36 extranodal lymphomas examined, of which 20 were characterized histologically as lymphomas of MALT, using either technique. In addition, 30 cases demonstrated only a germline band when probed with a bcl-3 probe specific for t(14;19), a translocation observed in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in all cases of extranodal lymphoma, although no consistent abnormality was observed. Numerical abnormalities of chromosomes 3, 6, 16, and 18; structural abnormalities of chromosomes 2, 6, 8, and 9; and small marker chromosomes were frequently seen. This study provides data which suggest that different genetic events are involved in the development of lymphoma of MALT from those giving rise to follicle centre cell lymphomas.