Burkitt lymphoma is a very rare cancer. But healthcare providers have made huge strides in helping people with it. They can often send it into long-term remission with immediate intensive chemotherapy.
Burkitt lymphoma occurs in 3 subtypes, endemic, sporadic and immunodeficiency-associated. They differ epidemiologicly and clinically, but their response rates to chemotherapy are similar.
Burkitt lymphoma grows very quickly, so it’s important to make a diagnosis as soon as possible. Your healthcare provider will order blood tests to check the levels of certain proteins in your body that can help identify a lymphoma. You may also have a chest CT scan and a bone marrow aspiration or biopsy. Your healthcare provider can then use these test results to figure out which type of Burkitt lymphoma you have and how far it has spread.
The classic form of the disease, endemic to Africa, tends to develop as enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or abdomen and grow very quickly. It’s more common in children than the sporadic and immunodeficiency-related forms of the disease.
In children, a rapid diagnosis is important to prevent complications such as breathing problems and brain swelling. Symptoms of the condition can include headaches, fever, and weight loss. The lymph nodes can also swell and become tender. They may also cause pain in the abdomen, groin, and underarms. Some people with a sporadic or immunodeficiency-related Burkitt lymphoma have a bulky abdominal mass that can press on the bowel or other organs. The disease can also spread to the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord.
Some people with Burkitt Lymphoma can get a life-threatening condition called tumor lysis syndrome, which happens when treatments for the cancer kill lots of tumor cells at once. This can cause the cells to break apart and spill out into the bloodstream, causing dangerously high levels of the protein lactic dehydrogenase. This can lead to kidney damage and other health problems if not treated right away. Healthcare providers can help reduce the risk of this side effect by giving you extra fluids and prescribing drugs like allopurinol or rasburicase.
Doctors usually treat Burkitt lymphoma with a combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapy drugs. These drugs can kill the cancer cells and keep them from growing. You will likely have several chemotherapy cycles that can last months. You might need to stay in the hospital for some of these treatment sessions.
Burkitt Lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (blood cancer). It develops when white blood cells called B lymphocytes grow out of control and start to multiply, forming tumours in the lymph nodes. These tumours can also spread to other parts of the body. The aim of treatment is usually to cure the lymphoma. Treatment can cause lasting health effects, such as a low red blood cell count or an increased risk of infection. If you have any side effects, speak to your doctor or nurse.
There are three subtypes of BL, endemic, sporadic and immunodeficiency-associated. The endemic type is found in Africa and Papua New Guinea and is associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. Sporadic and immunodeficiency-associated Burkitt lymphoma can also occur without any known cause, but are more common in people with weakened immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS patients or organ transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive drugs.
BL is a fast-growing cancer, so it’s important to have treatment as soon as possible. The most effective treatment is a combination of chemotherapy and an antibody called rituximab (Rituxan). The chemotherapy drugs used depend on the type of Burkitt lymphoma you have. Your doctor will explain which regimen is best for you.
Most people with endemic Burkitt lymphoma will be offered a stem cell transplant after undergoing intensive chemotherapy. The transplant can be with your own stem cells or with those from a donor. If you are unable to receive a transplant, your doctor will discuss other treatment options.
In some cases, the lymphoma can spread to the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). If this happens, your doctor may recommend a procedure called intrathecal chemotherapy. In this procedure, the cancer medicines are injected directly into the spinal fluid.
For some adults with relapsed BL, researchers are testing a less toxic treatment regimen. This involves using lower doses of chemotherapy drugs, and the chemotherapy is given over a longer time period compared to standard high-dose chemotherapy. This treatment approach is also being explored for people with relapsed sporadic BL. It’s hoped that this treatment will improve outcomes for people with relapsed or refractory BL.
Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a type of non-Hodgkin B cell cancer. It is an aggressive cancer that can cause serious health problems. The treatment for BL is intense and usually involves chemotherapy. There are different types of chemotherapy, and doctors will choose the right one for you or your child. Treatment is usually followed by a stem cell transplant. There are also newer treatments being tested in clinical trials.
Most people with BL have the endemic form, which is linked to Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and malaria. Some people with BL have the immunodeficiency-related form, which is linked to HIV and, in some cases, organ transplantation.
BL starts in cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the immune system. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that help fight infections and disease. They’re located in a network of bean-shaped organs called the lymphatic system, which carries clear fluid throughout the body. The lymphatic system includes the bone marrow where blood is made, lymph nodes, and organs like the spleen and thymus.
When a person with BL has chemotherapy, these medicines may kill all the lymphocytes in their body. This can cause a problem called tumor lysis syndrome, which happens when the dead lymphocytes break open and release their contents into the blood. The condition can be life-threatening, so it’s important to get medical treatment right away. Doctors will give your child lots of fluids and medications to treat the condition.
The most common side effects of treatment for BL are fever, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, and weight loss. Some people also have a sore mouth, diarrhea, and trouble breathing. Children can have more serious side effects, such as kidney damage and brain damage.
If the cancer comes back after treatment (known as relapse), you may have more chemotherapy or other new treatments in a clinical trial. These new treatments might be less toxic and work better than the ones you had before.
Some people with BL are cured of their cancer and go into long-term remission. Others lose their cancer or have it come back again. It’s very important to talk to your healthcare team about how to manage the side effects of treatment. You may need palliative care to ease pain, discomfort, and stress.
If you or your child has BL, it’s important to see your doctor right away. The earlier the lymphoma is diagnosed, the more easily it can be treated. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Then he or she will order blood tests to find out how many lymph nodes are affected and where they are. This is called staging. Your doctor will also find out if the lymphoma is low-grade or high-grade. Low-grade lymphomas grow slowly and are easier to treat than high-grade lymphomas.
Burkitt Lymphoma (BL) happens when B cells become abnormal and start growing out of control. These cancerous cells can develop in lymph nodes, or in other organs and tissues of the body. BL can spread to the brain and spinal cord, which is called central nervous system (CNS) involvement. BL can happen in people of all ages, but it’s more common in children.
Doctors aren’t sure what causes BL, but it can occur in several ways. Immunodeficiency-associated BL develops in people with weakened immune systems. It’s most often found in people with HIV infection or AIDS, or in people who take drugs to suppress their immune system after an organ transplant. It can also happen in people with inherited conditions that affect their immune system.
Endemic BL most commonly occurs in Africa and is linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV usually lies dormant inside the body, but can reactivate and cause illness.
Sporadic BL is less common. It can be caused by changes in a gene that controls cell growth, or by viruses like HIV or malaria. It’s most likely to develop in people who live in central Africa.
Doctors can’t prevent BL, but treatment often works well to get rid of the disease and keep it from coming back. Your healthcare team may recommend surgery or chemotherapy medicines. In some cases, they may also recommend radiation therapy or stem cell transplants. You or your child can help reduce the risk of side effects from chemo by taking vitamins and minerals, getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
Burkitt lymphoma is a fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It usually occurs in people with HIV/AIDS but it can also happen in people without HIV/AIDS if their immune system is weakened by illness or medication.
It can cause many different symptoms, depending on where in the body the cancer cells collect. Doctors use a process called staging to see which lymph nodes and organs are affected and to help decide on treatment.
In Burkitt Lymphoma, tumors develop in special white blood cells called B-cell lymphocytes. These are very fast-growing cells. Chemotherapy can destroy these cancerous cells and often cures people with Burkitt Lymphoma.
In many cases, doctors diagnose this type of lymphoma from the symptoms you or your child has and a physical exam. They may also do imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI scan. These images show whether there are any large tumors in your or your child’s body.
Most people with Burkitt Lymphoma have a change in their genes, which is called a translocation. This means that part of the gene on chromosome 8 is swapped with another part of a different gene on chromosome 14 or 22. Scientists don’t know what causes these changes. However, they do know that it is not caused by being exposed to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
The first step in diagnosing this type of lymphoma is a biopsy. This involves your doctor removing part or all of a swollen lymph node and sending it to the laboratory to be looked at under a microscope. Your doctor might also do biopsies from other parts of your or your child’s body to check for signs of Burkitt lymphoma.
Your doctor will also do other blood and imaging tests to find out what stage of Burkitt lymphoma you have. They will use the results of these tests to plan your treatment.
There are 3 main groups of Burkitt lymphoma. Group A is the most common type seen in Africa and New Guinea. It is most likely to affect children ages 5 and 10. Group B is a less common type of Burkitt lymphoma, which has been linked to HIV infection. It is most likely to affect adults with HIV. It is usually found in the belly (abdomen) and can spread to the bone marrow and central nervous system.
Burkitt Lymphoma affects the lymphatic system. These are tubes that carry a colourless liquid called lymph, which circulates around body tissues. They contain a high concentration of white blood cells (lymphocytes) that fight infection. In this condition, the lymphocytes develop abnormally and grow rapidly, forming tumours in lymph nodes or other organs.
Healthcare providers treat BL by using powerful chemotherapy drugs that destroy cancerous cells and stop them from multiplying. The aim is to send the cancer into long-term remission. You may need to stay in hospital for some of your treatment, so your healthcare team can monitor you and give you medicines.
Your provider will use tests to find out the stage of your or your child’s BL. This helps them plan the best treatment for you. For example, your provider might measure the amount of a substance in the blood called lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). It is usually raised in BL.
Endemic Burkitt Lymphoma, the form most common in Africa, is closely linked to Epstein Barr virus (EBV). EBV causes infectious mononucleosis, also known as mono. In endemic BL, the tumours often develop in the jaw or face. They can also grow very quickly, doubling in size within 18 hours. Other signs of this type of BL include enlarged, nontender lymph nodes in the neck or chest, and swelling of other glands such as the spleen and liver.
Sporadic Burkitt Lymphoma is found worldwide. It is most often seen in people with HIV/AIDS and can be a sign of AIDS-defining illness. It can also occur in people with congenital immune deficiency or after an organ transplant.
The treatment for sporadic BL is very similar to the one for endemic BL. However, some patients have a problem when the chemotherapy kills lots of cancer cells in a short time. This can lead to a problem called tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). To help prevent this, you or your child will have medicines to help the body break down these cells and extra fluids.
If you have symptoms of Burkitt Lymphoma, it’s important to see your doctor. He or she will do a physical exam and ask you about your past health. Then he or she will check your lymph nodes to see if they are enlarged. If they are, a biopsy will be done to make sure it’s Burkitt lymphoma and not another health condition.
A biopsy is when a doctor removes a small piece of a swollen lymph node to look at it under a microscope. Then the doctor will send the sample to a lab to be tested for cancer cells. This is the main way doctors diagnose lymphoma.
Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system. There are different types of lymphoma, but most of them start in B lymphocytes. Burkitt lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that starts in these B lymphocytes and can grow quickly. It usually starts in the lymph nodes, but can spread to other parts of the body and to the brain and spinal cord.
Endemic Burkitt lymphoma is linked to infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and is more common in Africa than in North America or Europe. But it can also happen without EBV or HIV and is called sporadic Burkitt lymphoma.
Treatment for Burkitt lymphoma is usually intensive, and you may need to stay in hospital for some of it. You will have chemotherapy and other treatments to kill the cancer cells and stop them from spreading. You might need a central line, which is a tube that stays in your vein for the whole course of your treatment. This lets them take blood samples without having to prick you with a needle, and it makes it easier for you to have treatments that are given intravenously.
Burkitt Lymphoma causes cancer cells to collect in the lymph nodes, which are small glands around your neck, armpit or groin. These swell up and form lumps. They may be painful, but the pain is usually only if they press on other parts of your body such as the chest or the trachea (windpipe). The cancer can also spread to organs such as the stomach, bowel or kidneys. If it does, you may experience indigestion or tummy pain, or you may have nausea and loss of appetite.
If the lymphoma spreads to your bone marrow, it can reduce the number of blood-clotting cells in your body, so you are more likely to have easy bruising or bleeding. It may also affect the platelets, which are the blood cells that help your wounds to heal.
Fatigue, or feeling tired for no obvious reason, is a common problem with lymphoma and can be a sign of the disease itself or the treatment you are receiving. It is important to seek medical attention if you have these symptoms as early diagnosis can lead to better outcomes and a higher chance of remission. Fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss are other signs of lymphoma, often referred to as B symptoms. They can be caused by almost any type of lymphoma and help doctors plan your treatment.
There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma, which mostly develops from B cells, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which can develop from any type of blood cell. Burkitt lymphoma falls into the non-Hodgkin group. It’s an aggressive form of the disease, and it’s usually found in children and young adults.
It starts in lymphocytes, immune cells that help fight infection by producing antibodies to destroy germs such as bacteria and viruses. Lymphocytes go through a predictable life cycle, where old ones die and new ones are created. But in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, abnormal lymphocytes keep forming and crowd out the normal cells, causing them to swell.
People with Burkitt lymphoma have a fast-growing cancer that can affect many parts of the body. It usually causes the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and groin to swell into lumps. It can also spread to the brain and spinal cord (CNS). Some people have other symptoms such as fever, night sweats or a low appetite.
The aim of treatment is to cure the lymphoma and stop it spreading. Doctors use a combination of powerful chemotherapy drugs. This includes rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride and vincristine. They may also give you a stem cell transplant, which replaces your own blood-forming cells.
Researchers have linked some of the gene changes that cause Burkitt lymphoma to infections with certain viruses, such as EBV and malaria. But most people who get the disease have no known risk factors and it’s not clear why some people are at greater risk than others.
The main treatment for endemic and immunodeficiency-related Burkitt Lymphoma is chemotherapy with the targeted therapy drug rituximab (Rituxan). This combination of drugs is called chemoimmunotherapy.
BL can involve bone marrow, CNS, and abdominal organs (including bowel). It is very aggressive and should be treated promptly. Clinical trials of new treatments are ongoing.
Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for Burkitt Lymphoma. It uses drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent the lymphoma from returning after it has retreated. It is also used to treat other kinds of lymphomas and leukemias. The chemotherapy used for Burkitt lymphoma is usually a combination of several different drugs. Your doctor may give you different types of chemotherapy regimens, depending on the results of your tests and other factors.
The chemo drugs destroy the cells that make proteins that fuel tumor growth and kill other cells that surround them. They can also damage the cell’s DNA and disrupt other parts of the cell, preventing it from functioning properly.
In some cases, the chemotherapy can also damage the blood vessels that supply lymph nodes and other organs. This can lead to complications such as bleeding and infection. In these cases, doctors take steps to reduce the side effects of the chemotherapy. They may give you extra fluids and prescribe medications to manage nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
Researchers are looking for ways to improve the treatment of Burkitt Lymphoma. They are examining the effectiveness of new chemotherapy drugs and other treatment strategies in clinical trials. You may want to ask your doctor about participating in one of these studies.
People who have the immunodeficiency-related variety of Burkitt lymphoma — the type most common in children and adults in Africa — often get the disease as a result of infection with the Epstein-Barr virus or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The immunodeficiency-related form also occurs in people who have inherited immune deficiencies, such as those who do not produce enough natural antibodies to fight off infections. It can also occur in people who have had an organ transplant.
People with sporadic Burkitt lymphoma and people who have the immunodeficiency-related form can have the same chemotherapy regimen. This is a combination of several chemotherapy drugs and the targeted therapy drug rituximab. You may hear it referred to as chemoimmunotherapy. The chemotherapies are given in cycles, with each cycle lasting several months. During each cycle, you receive the chemo drugs on certain days. You then have a break from the chemotherapy for several weeks. Then you receive the drugs again on a different schedule.
Immunotherapy is a treatment that helps your body fight the cancer by working with your immune system. It can help reduce the size of tumors and make chemotherapy more effective. It can also help prevent the cancer from coming back after it gets better.
Immunotherapies can be used with or without chemotherapy. Your doctor will determine which type of immunotherapy is best for you. They may suggest a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, or they might recommend just one of them. It depends on what kind of cancer you have and how fast it is growing.
Burkitt lymphoma starts in B-cells, which are white blood cells that fight infections and disease. They are found in the lymphatic system, which is made of tiny tubes (lymph vessels) and organs like the bone marrow where blood is made, the spleen, and the tonsils. Lymph nodes, which are small bean-shaped organs, are scattered throughout the lymphatic system and filter the lymph fluid that moves through them.
When a person has Burkitt lymphoma, the lymphocytes grow very quickly and make tumors in the bones, liver, spleen, and other organs. These tumors can also spread to other parts of the body, including the brain and nervous system. Burkitt lymphoma is a very aggressive cancer that requires immediate treatment.
Chemotherapy is the mainstay of Burkitt lymphoma treatment, and it can be very effective. However, the cancer grows very quickly, and it can be hard for chemotherapy drugs to reach all of the cancer cells. Because of this, doctors often give patients very high doses of chemotherapy. This can cause a serious problem called tumor lysis syndrome, where the cancer cells break apart and build up in the bloodstream, leading to kidney damage and heart problems.
Some of the newer treatments for Burkitt lymphoma can help prevent this problem. They have been developed to be less toxic than traditional dose-intensive chemotherapy. One of these is called R-CODOX-M or DA EPOCH-R, and it has been shown to be as effective for adults with Burkitt lymphoma as standard chemotherapy.
If you are being treated for Burkitt lymphoma, your doctor will give you 24-hour contact numbers to call if you feel unwell or need advice at any time of the day or night. They will also tell you what to look out for and what to do if you get certain side effects.
Often, doctors will recommend a stem cell transplant if a person’s Burkitt Lymphoma is relapsed or not responding to chemotherapy. Stem cell transplants replace the bone marrow with healthy cells to help the body fight the lymphoma and restore normal immune function. Depending on the type of transplant, the stem cells may be taken from the patient (autologous transplant), from a donor (allogeneic transplant), or from both.
The first step in deciding whether or not to have a stem cell transplant is for a doctor to take a sample of bone marrow, blood, or other cells from the body and check them with an expert lymphoma pathologist. This can be done with a needle inserted into a vein in the arm or through a small operation to remove a swollen lymph node.
Once this has been done, a treatment plan will be discussed with the person. This is based on the stage of the disease and a number of other factors. For sporadic and immunodeficiency related Burkitt lymphoma, most people have several chemotherapy drugs combined with rituximab. The combination of drugs is called chemo-immunotherapy. Typical regimens include cyclophosphamide, vincristine (Oncovin), and doxorubicin or a combination of ifosfamide, methotrexate, and cytarabine with rituximab. Other chemotherapy combinations exist as well.
This type of therapy is very intensive and can last for months. It will cause many physical changes in a person’s body and they may need to stay in hospital for some of this time. People often experience feelings of tiredness and depression as a result. It’s important that they speak to their medical team about possible support services and help.
Stem cell transplant can offer life-saving treatment for people with relapsed or resistant Burkitt Lymphoma. However, it’s important to understand that the prognosis for stem cell transplant depends on a number of factors and can vary considerably from person to person. The chances of remission and survival depend on the age and overall health of the person, the response to therapy, and how the lymphoma responds to a transplant. Having the transplant at an early stage and being in good general health are associated with a better prognosis.
For most cases of Burkitt lymphoma, doctors use a combination of chemotherapy drugs. These powerful medicines destroy cancerous cells and stop them from growing and creating more tumors. However, they also cause side effects such as hair loss, vomiting, and tiredness.
Doctors decide on the best treatment for you or your child based on the results of your tests and individual circumstances. They might recommend that you or your child have a stem cell transplant after chemotherapy. This involves collecting a person’s own blood-forming stem cells before chemotherapy, then replacing them with healthy ones donated by a donor. Then they can restart producing normal blood cells.
The most common treatments for Burkitt lymphoma involve chemotherapy combined with a drug that targets a specific protein found on B lymphocytes, such as rituximab (Rituxan). This type of therapy is called chemo-immunotherapy.
In some cases, doctors treat Burkitt lymphoma with radiation. They might use this therapy if the lymph nodes in your neck or chest are large, or if they have spread to other parts of the body. They might also use this method if the lymph nodes have not spread but are causing symptoms such as a swelling in your neck or chest.
Radiation may be used along with other Burkitt Lymphoma treatment options, such as chemotherapy. They might give you medication to prevent nausea and vomiting, and they might help reduce the amount of fluid in your lungs. They might also give you a medicine that can help control your blood sugar levels if they get too low.
Some people who are being treated for fast-growing lymphomas like Burkitt Lymphoma develop a condition called tumor lysis syndrome. This happens when the chemotherapy drugs work so quickly that many of the cancer cells die at the same time. When the dying cells break open, they release their contents into the bloodstream. This can overload the kidneys, leading to serious health problems including seizures and kidney damage. Doctors treat tumor lysis syndrome by giving you extra fluids and by prescribing medicines such as allopurinol (Aloprim) or rasburicase (Elitek).
Some people with Burkitt lymphoma have relapsed after receiving intensive chemotherapy. If this occurs, they might have surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. They might then have chemotherapy drugs injected directly into the spinal cord, which is called intrathecal therapy.
