Burkitt's lymphoma

Page 1 2 3

What is Burkitt's lymphoma?

Burkitt's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, which can be further divided into Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)). Burkitt's lymphoma is classified under non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Lymphatic system is an important part of our body that helps fight infection. It is composed of the lymph nodes, the thymus (a gland behind the breastbone), bone marrow and spleen, which are connected by tiny lymph vessels.

Lymph is a colourless fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system. It contains lymphocytes which are white blood cells that fight infection. There are 2 types of lymphycytes: T cells and B cells. Burkitt's lymphoma is a fast-growing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that originates from B cells.

Who gets Burkitt's lymphoma?

Burkitt's lymphoma is a relatively rare disease in Western countries, but is common in Central Africa.

It makes up 0.3-1.3% of all non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The predicted number of new cases of Burkitt's lymphoma in Australia is 12 per year.

Although a rare condition in adults, Burkitt's lymphoma is relatively common in children, making up about 30% of all childhood non-Hodgkinâ€™s lymphoma. It more commonly affects the male, with the male to female ratio being around 2-3 to 1. It is also seen more in AIDS patients.

Predisposing Factors

Burkitt's lymphoma, especially the type present in Africa (the endemic form), is closely associated with a virus called Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). In the non-endemic form, i.e. those occurring in Western countries, EBV is only shown in fewer than 30% of cases.

Burkitt's lymphoma is also closely related to malaria, and exposure to EBV in infancy. There is a form called the immunodeficiency-associated form which is common in AIDS patients.

In most Burkitt's lymphomas, there is a change in the gene called translocation, where a part of the gene is transferred to a another location. The translocations that occur in Burkitt's lymphoma may be of the [t(8;14)], [t(8;2)] or [t(8;22)] type.

Progression

Burkitt's lymphoma is the most aggressive subtype of NHL. Because it grows rapidly, patients may soon experience metabolic disturbances and kidney problems.

Burkitt's lymphoma has a high tendency to spread to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).

Once burkitt's lymphoma is suspected, diagnosis and staging must be accomplished propmtly, because any delay can result in undesirable effects on the prognosis.

Burkitt's lymphoma can be staged (into Stage A, AR, B, C and D) as follows:

Stage A: occurring singly in a site outside the abdomen (belly).
Stage AR: occurring inside the abdomen, with more than 90% of the tumour having been cut out.
Stage B: multiple tumours outside the abdomen.
Stage C: occurring inside the abdomen.
Stage D: occurring inside the abdomen plus one or more tumours outside the abdomen.

Page 1 2 3