Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Burkitt lymphoma, typically found in children, is a rare, but aggressive type ofnon-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that starts in special white blood cells calledlymphocytes(which help defend the body against disease). It was first discovered in African children and is closely associated with that region.
The cancer is also linked to other diseases, includingEpstein Barr virus (EBV),human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and certain chromosomal abnormalities. Though it’s considered an aggressive form of cancer, Burkitt lymphoma is usually treatable.
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Types of Burkitt Lymphoma
The three main types of Burkitt lymphoma include:
Burkitt Lymphoma and EBVWhile endemic Burkitt lymphoma is associated withEBV, the type found in North America isnot.EBV is one of the most common viruses in the world and typically spreads through saliva.
Burkitt Lymphoma and EBV
While endemic Burkitt lymphoma is associated withEBV, the type found in North America isnot.EBV is one of the most common viruses in the world and typically spreads through saliva.
Burkitt lymphoma is the fastest growing tumor in the human body, so symptoms may surface quickly.
The first sign is swelling of the lymph nodes in the head and neck, which happens rapidly but is typically painless. Swelling and distortion of facial bones is also a symptom of Burkitt lymphoma, specifically in the jaw in its endemic form.
Sporadic Burkitt lymphoma, which is more common in the United States, usually starts in the abdomen, but Burkitt lymphoma can also originate in the nervous system, bowel, kidneys, or reproductive organs.
Some generalsymptoms of Burkitt lymphomainclude:
Tumor Lysis SyndromeSome people with Burkitt lymphoma may develop a serious condition calledtumor lysis syndrome, which occurs when tumor cells release their contents into the bloodstream.Symptoms of tumor lysis syndrome include:Nausea and vomitingShortness of breathIrregular heartbeatCloudy urineDrowsinessJoint pain or discomfort
Tumor Lysis Syndrome
Some people with Burkitt lymphoma may develop a serious condition calledtumor lysis syndrome, which occurs when tumor cells release their contents into the bloodstream.Symptoms of tumor lysis syndrome include:Nausea and vomitingShortness of breathIrregular heartbeatCloudy urineDrowsinessJoint pain or discomfort
Some people with Burkitt lymphoma may develop a serious condition calledtumor lysis syndrome, which occurs when tumor cells release their contents into the bloodstream.Symptoms of tumor lysis syndrome include:
Researchers don’t know exactly what causes Burkitt lymphoma. However, what is known is that it more commonly affects children, being the most common type of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Sporadic Burkitt lymphoma accounts for 30% of childhood lymphomas in the United States, and endemic Burkitt lymphoma accounts for 30% to 50% of all childhood cancers in Africa.
AnEBVinfection is closely associated with most cases of endemic Burkitt lymphoma.
Other risk factors include having a disease that compromises the immune system (such asHIV) or living in a region wheremalariais common (such as Africa).
Physicians will likely perform abiopsyto diagnose Burkitt lymphoma, typically of the bone marrow or lymph nodes.This procedure involves removing a small piece of tissue from the body to analyze in a lab. A pathologist can determine if the sample is cancerous, and if so, what type of cancer it is.
During the diagnostic process, other tests may include:
Burkitt lymphoma is very treatable. However, because it grows so fast, treatment should be started right away. If untreated, this type of cancer can quickly become severe.
Intensive chemotherapy is usually given to treat Burkitt lymphoma. Oncologists may recommend a combination of chemotherapy drugs, including rituximab, a monoclonal antibody therapy that has been shown to improve outcomes and reduce side effects.
If there is no response to chemotherapy treatment, an oncologist may recommend abone marrow transplant.
The outlook for Burkitt lymphoma is generally positive if treated promptly. More than half of patients with Burkitt lymphoma can be cured with intensive chemotherapy.
Treatment in children with Burkitt lymphoma is particularly favorable. Those with early-stage disease have a long-term survival rate of more than 90%. The survival rate for kids and teens with more advanced Burkitt lymphoma is still positive, at 80% to 90%.
The disease is sometimes more difficult to treat in older adults who can’t tolerate intensive chemotherapy treatments, so outcomes for elderly patients are lower.
The prognosis for patients who experience relapse is usually poor.
Patients who experience stress as a result of a cancer diagnosis should consider methods to help reduce stress, like meditation, yoga, massage, or writing about their experience.
Find SupportOnline and in-person support groups can help connect people living with Burkitt lymphoma. Organizations such as theLymphoma Research Foundationand theLeukemia & Lymphoma Societyoffer services and resources for connecting with others who have a blood disorder.
Find Support
Online and in-person support groups can help connect people living with Burkitt lymphoma. Organizations such as theLymphoma Research Foundationand theLeukemia & Lymphoma Societyoffer services and resources for connecting with others who have a blood disorder.
A Word From Verywell
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Burkett lymphoma, you should know treatment is usually successful and patients often achieve complete remission with intensive chemotherapy. Discuss which therapies are best for your particular situation with your oncologist or healthcare provider.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lymphoma Research Foundation.Burkitt lymphoma.MedlinePlus.Burkitt lymphoma.Molyneux EM, Rochford R, Griffin B, et al.Burkitt’s lymphoma.Lancet. 2012;379(9822):1234-1244. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61177-XLymphoma Research Foundation.Burkitt lymphoma.Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.About childhood Burkitt lymphoma.Dozzo M, Carobolante F, Donisi PM, et al.Burkitt lymphoma in adolescents and young adults: management challenges.AHMT. 2016;8:11-29. doi:10.2147/AHMT.S94170American Cancer Society.Survival rates for childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lymphoma Research Foundation.Burkitt lymphoma.MedlinePlus.Burkitt lymphoma.Molyneux EM, Rochford R, Griffin B, et al.Burkitt’s lymphoma.Lancet. 2012;379(9822):1234-1244. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61177-XLymphoma Research Foundation.Burkitt lymphoma.Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.About childhood Burkitt lymphoma.Dozzo M, Carobolante F, Donisi PM, et al.Burkitt lymphoma in adolescents and young adults: management challenges.AHMT. 2016;8:11-29. doi:10.2147/AHMT.S94170American Cancer Society.Survival rates for childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lymphoma Research Foundation.Burkitt lymphoma.MedlinePlus.Burkitt lymphoma.Molyneux EM, Rochford R, Griffin B, et al.Burkitt’s lymphoma.Lancet. 2012;379(9822):1234-1244. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61177-XLymphoma Research Foundation.Burkitt lymphoma.Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.About childhood Burkitt lymphoma.Dozzo M, Carobolante F, Donisi PM, et al.Burkitt lymphoma in adolescents and young adults: management challenges.AHMT. 2016;8:11-29. doi:10.2147/AHMT.S94170American Cancer Society.Survival rates for childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Lymphoma Research Foundation.Burkitt lymphoma.
MedlinePlus.Burkitt lymphoma.
Molyneux EM, Rochford R, Griffin B, et al.Burkitt’s lymphoma.Lancet. 2012;379(9822):1234-1244. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61177-X
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.About childhood Burkitt lymphoma.
Dozzo M, Carobolante F, Donisi PM, et al.Burkitt lymphoma in adolescents and young adults: management challenges.AHMT. 2016;8:11-29. doi:10.2147/AHMT.S94170
American Cancer Society.Survival rates for childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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