Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Lymphocytes ›› Abnormal

Lymphoblasts (e.g. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: ALL)*


Click Here for Full Size



Microscopic Features:
  • 3-4x larger than a mature RBC
  • High nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio
  • Round Nucleus with immature chromatin (not clumped)
  • Prominent nucleoli
  • Cytoplasm is scant, light blue and lacks granules
Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:
  • PB: None
  • BM: None
  • LN: None
May Resemble: Differential Diagnoses:

If in blood or increased numbers in bone marrow or tissue:
B-Lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL)
T-Lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)
CML lymphoblastic Bast crisis (usually it's Myeloblast s but can sometimes be lymphoblasts)

Classic Immunophenotype:
  • B-lymphoblasts
  • CD19+
  • CD10+
  • CD20-
  • CD34+
  • TdT+
  • -------------------------
  • T-lymphoblasts
  • CD3+
  • CD7+
  • CD34+
  • TdT+
Cartoon Image:



Click and drag
RBC
for direct comparison

Misc:
  • Blasts cells cannot be reliably distinguished from each other based on morphology alone. The exception are blasts with Auer Rod(s) which are unique to abnormal Myeloblasts and abnormal promyelocytes as noted in some AMLs and APL Note: Abnormal lymphoblasts can show immunophenotypic abberancies (e.g. the gain of myeloid markers)



Content Editors/Website Administrators:
Hooman H. Rashidi, MD; John C. Nguyen, MD