Certain lymphomas and leukemias have a very specific genetic translocations.

It is not only important for diagnostic purposes, but also for treatment. Here are a few very important ones medical students must know.

1. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)– t(12;21)

2. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

a) t(8;21) – fusion of RUNX-RUNX1
b) t(15;17) – fusion of PML-RARA
c) inv (3)

3. Chronic myeloid leukemia– t(9;22) results in BCR-ABL fusion gene.

4. Burkitt lymphoma– Most common translocation in Burkitt lymphoma is t(8;14)

5. Follicular lymphoma– t(14;18)

6. Mantle cell lymphoma – t(11;14)

7. MALT- lymphoma – t(11;18)

Interested in more illustrations related to hematology? Check this out!!

Check this link out for multiple choice questions in hematology.