Precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia presenting as osteoblastic bone lesions

Abstract Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a neoplasm of precursors lymphoid cells morphologically indistinguishable from those of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Approximately 10% to 20% of cases are of the precursor B-cell (P-BLL) phenotype. This type of lymphoma most often manifests in the skin and lymph nodes. In recent years more case reports of P-BLL presenting as lytic bone lesions have appeared in the literature. We describe an interesting case of P-BLL/leukemia that initially presented as an osteoblastic bone lesion and discuss the differential diagnosis from a pathologic-radiologic standpoint. Ann Diagn Pathol 6: 236-243, 2002.