An eight-year-old male presented with a mass in the right anterior neck that had been apparent for one week. Upon physical examination, blood pressure was recorded as 100/65 mmHg, heart rate was 80 beats per min, respiratory rate was 20 breaths per min and temperature was 36.1°C. A mass measuring ~4.0 cm in size, which caused difficulty in swallowing, was identified in the right anterior neck. The laboratory test results demonstrated a normal blood count and serum biochemistry, as well as normal levels of electrolytes and carcinoembryonic antigen. In addition, the test results for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigens immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus antibodies, hepatitis B antigen and syphilis were negative. Furthermore, the thyroid hormone test results were as follows: Free thyroxine (FT) 4 levels of 11.8 pmol/l (normal range, 9–25 pmol/l); FT3 levels of 4.2 pmol/l (normal range, 3–9 pmol/l); thyroid-stimulating hormone levels of 0.720 μIU/ml (normal range, 0.34–5.60 μIU/ml); anti-thyroglobulin levels of 20 IU/ml (normal range, <115 IU/ml); and anti-thyroid peroxidase levels of 25 IU/ml (normal range, <34 IU/ml). The patient had no significant past medical or family history of disease. A B-mode ultrasound examination revealed a mass measuring 4.0×3.0×2.5 cm in the right lobe of the thyroid (), however, the lymph nodes surrounding the mass were normal (). The patient underwent a right lobe and isthmus thyroidectomy whereby two lymph nodes were excised simultaneously. Following the surgery, positron emission tomography-computed tomography scans showed normal metabolism in the left lobe of the thyroid and other parts of the body (). The patient’s bone marrow cytology was also normal, however, histological examination revealed diffuse infiltration of atypical lymphocytes and the observation of residual thyroid follicles and necrosis (). In addition, under low magnification, the ‘starry sky’ histology was observed in certain areas (). The atypical lymphocytes were medium-sized and consistent, with centrally located nuclei of irregular shape, displaying dispersed and deep basophilic chromatin and scanty cytoplasm. Additionally, certain neoplastic cells were visible, while varying numbers of nucleoli and apoptosis and mitosis were observed. Benign tissue cells engulfing apoptotic bodies were also observed under high magnification (), however, the isthmus of the thyroid was not infiltrated by the neoplastic cells. No reactive lymphocyte infiltration or fibrosis was identified in the stroma of the thyroid, and no oxyphilic change or squamous metaplasia was observed in the epithelial cells of the background thyroid tissues (). The only change in the two lymph nodes that were simultaneously excised, was the presence of reactive hyperplasia of the lymphoid follicles (). Immunohistochemical staining was then performed with the primary antibodies shown in (Zymed Corporation, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA, USA). The results showed that the neoplastic cells were diffusely positive for cluster of differentiation (CD)20 () and CD10 (), marginally positive for CD38, CD43 and B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-6, but negative for Bcl-2 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT). In addition, CD3 and CD5 stained the background T cells, and the Ki-67 proliferation index was >95% (). Analysis using an EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) digoxin-labeled probe (PanPath B.V., Budel, Netherlands) was performed and revealed a negative result (), however, positive nuclei were observed in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue, which was used as the positive control (). Analysis using the C-MYC break-apart detection probe (Guangzhou LBP Medical Science Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China) was also performed and the results revealed that ~90% of the neoplastic cells exhibited red and green signal separation, which indicated that chromosome breakage and translocation of the MYC gene had occurred in the neoplastic cells (). Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement assays were performed according to instructions of the Biomed-2 Polymerase Chain Reaction kit (Invivoscribe technologies, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), followed by capillary electrophoresis, which was analyzed using Genemarker® v1.5. software (SoftGenetics, LLC, State College, PA, USA). Positive gene arrangements of IgH and IgK were observed in the tumor tissues, however, no positive gene rearrangements were observed for IgL (). Consequently, the patient was diagnosed with primary BL of the thyroid and underwent alternate R-B-NHL-BFM-90-A and R-B-NHL-BFM-90-B treatment, for four cycles each. The two regimens, including the dose and duration of chemotherapy, are described in . After almost four years of follow-up, the patient appears well and remains free of disease.
A 70-year-old male presented a rapidly expanding mass of the neck associated with history of airway compression symptoms; progressive dyspnea and dysphonia lasting for 4 weeks, in a context of apyrexia and impairment of general condition. The patient was admitted to the hospital because of increasing dyspnea and urgently received a tracheostomy.\nA biopsy of the cervical mass was carried out and the histological examination showed diffuse infiltration of the thyroid gland by a monotonous population of atypical intermediate-sized lymphoid cells (Fig. ). These last possess scanty amphophilic to basophilic cytoplasm with centrally located nuclei of irregular shape, displaying dispersed basophilic chromatin, and frequent apoptotic figures (Fig. ). Scattered tingible body type macrophages were also present. Little residual thyroid follicles and some areas of necrosis was observed.\nImmunohistochemical staining was then performed and the tumour cells were positive for CD20, CD10 and BCL6. Ki-67 showed proliferation index approaching 100 %. CD3 and CD5 stained the background T cells (Fig. ). Immunoreactivity for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was negative. The diagnosis of BL was confirmed on fluorescence in situ hybridisation that showed tumour cell positivity for the t (8; 14) translocation. Bone marrow examination was normal.\nThe patient was transferred to the Clinical Haematology department. On physical examination, he was apyretic and hemodynamically stable with a cervical armouring by a huge mass of hard consistency. Neurological examination shows no sensorimotor deficits.\nOther systemic examinations were normal, without any palpable lymphadenopathy or organomegaly.\nThe computerized tomography (CT) scan showed a heterogeneous process of the thyroid gland measuring 10.5 × 8.2 × 6.5 cm in size, extending up towards the laryngeal region, infiltrating the right vocal cord and reducing the laryngeal lumen (Fig. ).\nThe thoraco-abdominal CT scan showed no other localization.\nThe examination of the cephalorachidian liquid showed no central nervous system involvement. The patient was diagnosed with thyroidal Burkitt lymphoma, stage I of Murphy [].\nAfter cardiac, renal and liver functions assessment, the patient received chemotherapy according to the LMBA02 protocol [], group A (Age > 60 years, no CNS nor bone marrow involvement), with a first course of COP (Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine and Prednisone) and intrathecal Methotrexate, followed a week after by a course of R-COPADEM (Rituximab at day 0 and day 6, Cyclophosphamide day 2,3 and 4, Prednisone from day 1 to 5, Doxorubicineat day 2, high dose Methotrexate at day 1 with folic acid rescue from day 2 to day 6 and intrathecal chemotherapy at day 2 and day 6).\nAt day 15 of chemotherapy, the patient developed febrile neutropenia, refractory to broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungals. The evolution was marked by the installation of a septic shock with acute respiratory distress syndrome that led to his transfer to intensive care unit where he was intubated and ventilated. The patient died 2 days after.