Burkitt's Lymphoma
Basic Information
Burkitt's Lymphoma is a type of cancer. It occurs when certain white blood cells (known as B-lymphocytes) begin to mutate and multiply out of control. In a healthy body, these B-lymphocytes are a crucial component of the immune system, in that they help fight infection by producing antibodies. Eventually, these cancerous cells develop into tumors that damage the blood and lymph glands. Burkitt's Lymphoma is a progressive disease, which means that once it initially develops, it can become a severe problem in only a short amount of time. It was first discovered in 1958 by Denis Burkitt.
There are two types of Burkitt's lymphoma: the African type and the North American type. The African type of Burkitt's lymphoma is the more common of the two. It typically develops in children. In the African type, the cancerous tumors develop under the jaw and in the abdomen. This disease is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus. Under most circumstances, people affected by the Epstein-Barr virus eventually recover. However, when African children develop this infection, they do not fully recover and their lymphatic cells begin to mutate and become cancerous. It is unknown why African children are unable to defend themselves from the Epstein-Barr virus. Some health officials speculate that weakened immune systems (resulting from pre-existing exposure to malaria or AIDS) may make certain people unable to fight off the infection.
The North American type of Burkitt's lymphoma is a rare disease. This disease affects the bone marrow. However, this disease can also cause tumors to develop in the lymph nodes of the neck and chest. The cause of this disease is unknown, and it is not associated in any way with the Epstein-Barr virus.
Finally, it is important to note that both forms of this disease are characterized by a rapid growth rate, and localized tumors can eventually spread to the entire body.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Burkitt's lymphoma depend on where the tumors are located in the body. With African Burkitt's, the jaw is the most common location of the cancerous tumor. As a result, a common symptom of this disease is pronounced swelling near the cheeks. In some cases, displacement of the bone alignment as a result of swelling can be so extreme that the person loses teeth.
Other symptoms of African Burkitt's include:
- extreme fatigue
- swelling of lymph nodes in the abdomen
- extreme weight loss
The North American type of Burkitt's lymphoma usually causes tumors to develop in the abdomen region. As a result, the abdomen may become swollen and painful. Other symptoms of this type of the disease include:
- disabled immune system
- rapid weight loss
- fatigue
- nausea
- vomiting
- anemia
- bruising
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma is typically made with a biopsy of a cancerous tumor. During this procedure, a sample of cells from the swollen tissue of the abdomen or jaw is removed by surgery. This sample is then stained with special dyes and examined under a microscope. If a pathologist detects the presence of Burkitt's lymphoma during the analysis, further tests will be done to figure out the severity of the cancer. These tests may include a complete blood count, a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, a spinal fluid test (called a lumbar puncture), and a CT scan.
Treatment
Although this disease leads to death if left untreated, Burkitt's lymphoma responds well to treatment. It is quite common for treatment to put this type of cancer into remission, and remission is often permanent. The primary form of treatment for this disease is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a good match for this disease because it works well with cancers that cause tumors to develop all over the body.
The African form of this disease is the most treatable. When chemotherapy is not available, this type of the disease can also be treated with a drug called cyclophosphamide. This drug is very effective, and it typically succeeds in putting the cancer into remission after a single dose. In most cases, however, it is advised that the affected person take the entire antibiotic course in order to ensure that the cancer does not recurr with time.
At the same time, treatment of this disease in AIDS patients is sometimes more difficult due to the underlying HIV infection. In most cases, the person is given both drugs and X-ray treatments in order to treat the disease.
The side effects of treatment depend upon the type of treatment that is used. Typically, the side effects disappear after treatment is over. Some of the more common side effects include: increased susceptibility to infection, nausea and fatigue.
Treatment is considered complete once the cancer goes into remission. Remission signifies that there is the presence of cancerous cells cannot be detected anywhere in the body. However, even after a successful period of treatment is over, the affected person will continue to be monitored closely in order to make sure that the cancer does not return. In most cases, the affected person undergoes periodic check-ups for the rest of his or her life. During these check-ups, medical experts may use the following tests in order to gauge the body's reaction to treatment: CT scan, x-ray exam, physical exam, and blood tests.
Prevention
Burkitt's lymphoma cannot be prevented.