Journal of Rare Disorders: Diagnosis & Therapy

Editorial

Burkitt Lymphoma (BL) is a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma that affects the B-lymphocytes. When a lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) grows out of control, lymphomas can develop. Lymphomas are categorized in two main groups: Hodgkin lymphomas and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). Burkitt lymphoma can be defined as a very fast-growing type of highgrade NHL. It develops from abnormal B lymphocytes (B cells) [1].

Types

There are three recognized forms of BL:

Endemic (African): The most common form, found mainly in central Africa, where it is associated with the Epstein Barr virus (EBV). It is most common in children.

Sporadic: A rarer form, a rarer form, seen in all parts of the world, which often develops in the abdomen with bone marrow involvement.

Immunodeficiency-associated: Occurs primarily in people with HIV infection, and less commonly in people with other immunodeficiency disorders or recipients of organ transplants.

Burkitt lymphoma is characterized by the translocation and deregulation of the c-mycgene on chromosome 8. It accounts for only 1% of adult lymphoma, butup to 30% of childhood non- Hodgkin lymphomas.

Symptoms

The symptom includes: Painless swellings, abnormality of bone marrow cell morphology, hyperuricemia, increased lactate dehydrogenase level, neoplasm of the oral cavity, night sweats, high temperatures that come and go with no obvious cause, losing a lot of weight, causes lots of lymph nodesto enlarge in many different parts of the body, and often involves your abdomen (tummy) and bowel [2].

Diagnoses

It can be diagnosed by lymph node biopsy and with other tests. Tests are also needed to find out which parts of your body are affected by lymphoma –this is called ‘staging’, these test includes: a physical examination, blood tests to look at your general health, including your blood cell counts, a scan usually a combined PET/ CT scan, bone marrow tests a lumbar puncture to check if the lymphoma has spread to your CNS [3].

Treatment

The goal of treatment for Burkitt lymphoma might be to cure the lymphoma, control symptoms, and control the lymphoma for as long as possible, stop lymphoma is spreading to other parts of the body, such as the fluid around the brain and spinal cord and stop lymphoma coming back. Treatment recommended for Burkitt lymphoma is Chemotherapy with the antibody treatment rituximab. Some patient might also have surgery to remove large tumours. In chemotherapy, a regimen (combination of drugs) is used is given in cycles with drugs given on certain days followed by a rest period before the next cycle begins. All treatment has a risk of side effects. You have a scan at the end of treatment to see how you have responded and you have regular follow-up appointments [4-6].

References

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/burkitts-lymphoma#symptoms
2. https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/types-lymphoma-non-hodgkinlymphoma/burkitt-lymphoma
3. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/non-hodgkinlymphoma/types/burkitt-lymphoma
4. https://www.leukaemia.org.au/blood-cancer-information/types-ofblood-cancer/lymphoma/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/burkitts-lymphoma/
5. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1447602-overview
6. https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/5973/burkitt-lymphoma