As in patients who do not have an immunodeficiency, Burkitt lymphoma has a "starry-sky" appearance due to the numerous debris-containing macrophages (denoting rapid cell turnover). The tumor also has a high mitotic rate.
By permission of the publisher. From Banks P, et al. In Atlas of Clinical Hematology. Edited by JO Armitage. Philadelphia, Current Medicine, 2004. Available at www.images.md.