Try adjusting your type
14th October, 2009
European Survey on Standards of Care in paediatric oncology centres. J. R. Kowalczyk, M. Samardakiewicz, K. Pritchard-Jones, R. Ladenstein, S. Essiaf, E. Fitzgerald, G. Petrarulo, G. Vassal - EJC , Volume 61, pp 11-19
8th December, 2014
The purpose of this website is to provide good and clear information about the long-term effects of childhood cancer and to refer to the various late-effects outpatient clinics (LATER outpatient clinics) that exist in the Netherlands.
8th September, 2015
Cancer in young people is rare, but it is still a major health issue in Europe. Each year, more than 6,000 young people in Europe die of cancer. There are more than 300,000 European childhood cancer survivors (in 2020, they will be nearly half a million): two-thirds of them have some late side effects of treatment, that are severe and impact on the daily life of half of those affected.
Burkitt lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a fast-growing and aggressive cancer of the lymphatic system. It predominantly affects children and is named after Denis Burkitt, who first identified this disease in African children in 1958. Common symptoms include fever, night sweats, and significant weight loss.
Hailed as a rare but aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma warrants an in-depth exploration and understanding. This article intends to shed light on its definition, causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and prognosis, with the primary goal of raising awareness and sparking a broader conversation about this specific type of cancer.
Named after surgeon Denis Burkitt, who first identified the disease in African children in 1958, Burkitt lymphoma is characterized as high-grade, rapidly proliferating, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While it is predominantly found in children, it can affect adults too. This condition has three known types – Endemic, Sporadic, and Immunodeficiency-related, each associated with a distinct geographic distribution and risk factors.
Grasping the concept of Burkitt lymphoma contributes to early detection, timely treatment, and improved patient outcomes. It also sheds light on prevention methods, current research, and potential future developments in its therapy.
Medically, Burkitt lymphoma is defined as a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that specifically affects B-lymphocytes, cells that form an integral part of our immune system. This cancer is renowned for its rapid growth rate which necessitates immediate diagnosis and treatment.
The naming “Burkitt Lymphoma” is a tribute to Denis Burkitt, a British surgeon working in Africa. He first discovered this lymphoma in 1958 when he observed its high prevalence in African children and associated it with a particular fly-biting pattern.
The primary cause of Burkitt lymphoma is still unclear. Nonetheless, it has been linked to specific genetic mutations, particularly affecting the gene MYC – a gene that regulates cell growth.
Several factors increase the risk of developing Burkitt lymphoma, such as being male, having the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), HIV/AIDS or a weak immune system. Certain geographic locations play a role too, with endemic Burkitt lymphoma primarily occurring in malaria-endemic regions of Africa.
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a herpes virus, has been specifically linked with Burkitt lymphoma, as evidence shows most patients have had an EBV infection prior to developing the disease. The exact mechanism of how EBV contributes to Burkitt lymphoma emergence remains under study.
Physical symptoms vary depending on the body area affected by the lymphoma but may include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, night sweats, fatigue, and rapidly enlarging lymph nodes.
Unlike physical symptoms, psychological signs are not unique to Burkitt lymphoma but can result from cancer fatigue, depression, anxiety, or the side effects of treatment. Behaviour changes, confusion, or memory problems may also occur if the lymphoma has spread to the central nervous system.
Given its growth rate, symptoms of Burkitt lymphoma can advance rapidly within a few weeks or even days, requiring immediate medical attention.
In diagnosing Burkitt lymphoma, physicians consider the patient’s medical history and conduct a comprehensive physical examination to detect any enlarged lymph nodes or abnormal organ enlargement.
Certain laboratory tests, including blood tests, lumbar puncture, and tissue biopsies, can help establish a diagnosis. Biopsies—particularly bone marrow and lymph node biopsies—are crucial in confirming Burkitt lymphoma.
Imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, can help identify the extent of disease spread.
Due to its aggressiveness, standard treatment approaches involve intensive chemotherapy, often combined with rituximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting B-cells, and central nervous system prophylaxis to prevent cancer from spreading to the brain and spinal cord.
Chemotherapy protocols for Burkitt lymphoma are combinatorial and involve multiple drugs administered in high doses over a short time. Due to the high toxicity of these drugs, supportive care, including anti-nausea medications and blood transfusions, is necessary.
Immunotherapy, particularly the use of rituximab, has shown promise in improving patient outcomes. For patients who do not respond to initial treatment or relapse, bone marrow (stem cell) transplant may be considered.
The prognosis of Burkitt lymphoma varies based on factors such as patient age, the spread of the disease, and the individual’s general health. However, with early diagnosis and prompt treatment, survival rates have increased significantly in recent years.
Living with Burkitt lymphoma can significantly impact quality of life due to both the disease and its intensive treatments, requiring substantial adjustments. Following a healthful diet, maintaining physical activity, seeking psychological support, and regular medical follow-ups can aid in managing these impacts and improving life quality.
Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, boasts rapid proliferation and complex biochemical mechanics. Having dense clinical understanding and early detection can dramatically improve the patient’s prognosis.
Given its fast growth rate, it’s critical to diagnose and treat Burkitt lymphoma early to enhance survival rates and minimise treatment side effects.
The incidence rate of Burkitt lymphoma varies globally. In the United States, it accounts for 1-2% of all adult lymphomas, and about 40% of pediatric lymphomas.
Given that its exact cause is unknown, prevention of Burkitt lymphoma is challenging. However, early detection through regular medical check-ups can improve prognosis.
The survival rate for Burkitt lymphoma differs based on age, disease stage, and response to treatment. However, in children, cure rates can exceed 90% with intensive chemotherapy.
The endemic variant of Burkitt lymphoma is more common in certain areas of Africa. Meanwhile, the sporadic form can occur anywhere, albeit at lower rates. Populations with weakened immune systems or living with HIV/AIDS are at higher risk.
Burkitt lymphoma is distinguished by the speed of its growth and its association with genetic mutations, specifically in the MYC gene. Additionally, it primarily targets B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and can manifest in various parts of the body.
Share it
You might also like
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
This book is a poignant reminder that in our shared humanity, we encounter moments of vulnerability, confusion, and pain. Cheryl Strayed's words serve as a beacon of hope, guiding readers towards self-discovery, healing, and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
n the realm of literature that offers solace and guidance in the face of profound despair, there exists an international best-seller, a timeless masterpiece whose relevance remains as potent today as it was upon its initial publication.
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson
Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it.
The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
Through conversations, stories, and meditations, the Dalai Lama shows us how to defeat day-to-day anxiety, insecurity, anger, and discouragement.
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
In A New Earth, Tolle expands on these powerful ideas to show how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
From thought leader Brené Brown, a transformative new vision for the way we lead, love, work, parent, and educate that teaches us the power of vulnerability.
At its heart, Paulo Coelho's masterpiece unfolds the mystical journey of Santiago, an unassuming Andalusian shepherd boy whose heart brims with a longing for adventure and the pursuit of a treasure that exists far beyond the confines of the material world.
When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didnt have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave, Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, wasnt about dying.
