2024, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part B

Background: Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is an aggressive neoplasm originating from lymphoblasts of either B-cell (B-LBL) or T-cell origin (T-LBL). Classified alongside acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the 2008 WHO classification of hematopoietic malignancies, LBL is marked by rapid progression and high aggressiveness. Aim: To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment outcomes, and survival rates of pediatric LBL cases.

Methods: From January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020, 23 newly diagnosed cases of LBL in patients under 14 years were admitted to the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital, Medical City. One patient who had previously received treatment elsewhere was excluded, leaving 22 patients for evaluation. Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes were extracted from inpatient and oncology clinic records. Follow-up was conducted every three months for patients who completed chemotherapy.

Results: The median age was 8.3 years (range 3.4–13.3), with a male-to-female ratio of 4.5:1. Cervical lymphadenopathy and mediastinal masses were observed in 36.4% and 72.7% of patients, respectively. Advanced stages (III & IV) were present in 95% of patients. T-cell LBL was diagnosed in 86% of cases, with diagnostic tissue obtained mainly from lymph nodes (45.4%) and mediastinal masses (27.3%). Nineteen patients (90.5%) achieved remission, with an overall survival and event-free survival rate of 51.4% at three years.

Conclusion: The clinicopathological profiles and treatment outcomes align with previous studies from the same hospital, and Italian pathology review was consistent with local findings, supporting diagnostic accuracy in our setting.