Question:medium

Follicular lymphoma shows positivity for which of the following?

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The t(14;18) translocation overexpresses this anti-apoptotic protein.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Bcl-1
  • Bcl-6
  • Bcl-2
  • None of the above
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Identify follicular lymphoma by its signature genetic lesion and the protein it overexpresses.
Step 2: The hallmark is $t(14;18)$, which juxtaposes the chromosome 18 $BCL-2$ gene with the immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer on chromosome 14.
Step 3: This drives constant BCL-2 production. Since BCL-2 prevents apoptosis, the follicle-centre B cells become effectively immortal and pile up, and immunostaining is BCL-2 positive (unlike reactive germinal centres which are BCL-2 negative).
Step 4: Bcl-1 points to mantle cell and Bcl-6 to germinal-centre/DLBCL, so the expected positivity for follicular lymphoma is Bcl-2.
\[\boxed{\text{Bcl-2}}\]
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