Return to Topic
		Overview of Leukemia

The L3 type is characterized by homogeneous, medium-sized to large cells with round, demarcated, and finely punctuated chromatin, no folding, deeply basophilic and vacuolated cytoplasm, and nucleoli. They are typically seen (a leukemic manifestation of Burkitt's lymphoma). Some apoptosis and fragmentation are usually seen. Vacuoles in the cytoplasm are not pathognomonic of Burkitt's leukemia, and other features (eg, specific cytogenetic and immunologic characteristics) must be considered to make a definitive diagnosis. FAB = French-American-British.

By permission of the publisher. From Cortes J, Albitar M. In Atlas of Cancer. Edited by M Markman and M Kalaycio. Philadelphia, Current Medicine, 2002. Available at www.images.md.