KaryoDraw

Follicular lymphoma t(14;18)

46,XX,t(14;18)(q32;q21)

Also known as: IGH-BCL2, t(14;18)

46,XX,t(14;18)(q32;q21) is the hallmark of follicular lymphoma. It joins the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus IGH to BCL2, so the cell overexpresses BCL2 and resists apoptosis.

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der(14)
14
der(18)
18
Follicular lymphoma t(14;18) (46,XX,t(14;18)(q32;q21)) drawn by KaryoDraw, showing the involved chromosomes with their normal homolog.

What the notation means

46
total chromosome count (the normal human number)
XX
sex chromosomes: two X (usual female karyotype)
t(14;18)(q32;q21)
a reciprocal TRANSLOCATION: chromosomes 14 and 18 break (at 14q32 and 18q21) and swap the pieces beyond those breaks, giving two derivative chromosomes der(14) and der(18)

Clinical notes

t(14;18), Follicular lymphoma

t(14;18)(q32;q21) juxtaposes BCL2 with IGH → anti-apoptotic BCL2 overexpression.

Related karyotypes

KaryoDraw is a free ISCN 2024 karyotype visualizer, a StudyRare tool. It is an educational visualizer of cytogenetic nomenclature, not a diagnostic tool.