Burkitt’s Lymphoma – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Burkitt’s Lymphoma – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. In addition, Burkitt’s Lymphoma is a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer of the lymphatic system, which helps your body fight infections .

Burkitt’s Lymphoma is most common in children living in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and chronic malaria. Burkitt Lymphoma is also seen in other places, including the United States. Outside of Africa, Burkitt’s Lymphoma is more likely to occur in people with compromised immune systems .

Types: There are three types which are: sporadic, endemic and immunodeficiency related. Types differ by geographic location and the body parts affected.

Sporadic Burkitt Lymphoma : Sporadic Burkitt Lymphoma occurs outside of Africa but is rare in other parts of the world. It is sometimes associated with EBV. It tends to affect the lower abdomen , where the small intestine ends and the large intestine begins.

Endemic Burkitt Lymphoma: This type of Burkitt Lymphoma is most often seen in Africa near the equator, where it is associated with chronic malaria and EBV infection. The facial bone and jaw are most often affected. But the small intestine, kidneys , ovaries and breast can also be involved.

Immunodeficiency-Related Burkitt’s Lymphoma: This type of Burkitt’s Lymphoma is associated with the use of immunosuppressive drugs, such as those used to prevent transplant rejection and to treat HIV and AIDS.

Causes: A rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer of the lymphatic system, which helps your body fight infections .

Burkitt’s Lymphoma is most common in children living in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and chronic malaria. Burkitt Lymphoma is also seen in other places, including the United States. Outside of Africa, Burkitt’s Lymphoma is more likely to occur in people with compromised immune systems .

Symptoms of Burkitt’s Lymphoma: Burkitt ‘s Lymphoma can cause fever, weight loss, and night sweats. Other symptoms of Burkitt Lymphoma  vary by type.

Sporadic Burkitt Lymphoma: Symptoms of Sporadic Burkitt Lymphoma include:

• abdominal swelling
• Distortion of the facial bones
• night sweat
• Bowel obstruction
• enlarged thyroid
• enlarged tonsils

Endemic Burkitt Lymphoma: Symptoms of Endemic Burkitt Lymphoma include swelling and distortion of the facial bones and a rapid growth of lymph nodes. Enlarged lymph nodes are not tender. Tumors can grow extremely quickly, sometimes doubling in size within 18 hours.

HIV-related lymphoma: The symptoms of HIV -related lymphoma are similar to the sporadic type.

Risk Factors: Burkitt Lymphoma is more likely to affect children. It is rare in adults. The disease is more common in men and people with compromised immune systems, such as those who have HIV or AIDS. The incidence is higher in:

• North Africa
• Middle East
• South America
• Papua New Guinea

Sporadic and endemic forms are associated with EBV infection. Insect -borne viral infections and herbal extracts that promote tumor growth are possible contributing factors.

Diagnoses: A diagnosis begins with a medical history and physical examination. A tumor biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Bone marrow and the central nervous system are often involved. Bone marrow and spinal fluid are usually examined to see how far the cancer has spread.

Burkitt’s Lymphoma is staged according to the involvement of lymph nodes and organs. Bone marrow or central nervous system involvement means you have stage 4. A CT scan and MRI scan can help identify which organs and lymph nodes are involved.

Treatments: Burkitt lymphoma is usually treated with combination chemotherapy. Chemotherapy agents used in the treatment of Burkitt Lymphoma include:

• cytarabine
• cyclophosphamide
• doxorubicin
• vincristine
• methotrexate
• etoposide

Treatment of monoclonal antibodies with rituximab can be combined with chemotherapy. Radiation treatment can also be used with chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into the spinal fluid to prevent the cancer from spreading to the central nervous system. This injection method is referred to as “intrathecal”. Patients receiving intensive chemotherapy have the best treatment outcomes.

In countries with limited medical resources, treatment is often less aggressive and less successful. Children with Burkitt’s Lymphoma have the best prognosis. The presence of intestinal obstruction requires surgery.