Burkitt lymphoma

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive (high-grade) B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by the rapid proliferation of malignant mature B lymphocytes. It is one of the fastest-growing human tumors, with a doubling time of approximately 24–48 hours. The disease is strongly associated with chromosomal translocations involving the MYC oncogene on chromosome 8, most commonly the t(8;14) translocation, which places MYC under the control of immunoglobulin gene enhancers, leading to constitutive overexpression and uncontrolled cell growth. Three clinical variants are recognized: endemic (African) Burkitt lymphoma, which is closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and typically presents as a jaw or facial bone mass in children; sporadic Burkitt lymphoma, which occurs worldwide and most often presents with abdominal masses involving the ileocecal region, ovaries, kidneys, or other abdominal organs; and immunodeficiency-associated Burkitt lymphoma, which occurs primarily in individuals with HIV/AIDS. Burkitt lymphoma predominantly affects children and young adults, though it can occur at any age. Key symptoms depend on the site of involvement and may include rapidly enlarging masses, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bowel obstruction, and B symptoms such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Central nervous system involvement and bone marrow infiltration can occur, particularly in advanced disease, and may manifest as headache, cranial nerve palsies, or cytopenias. The endemic form is the most common childhood cancer in equatorial Africa, where malaria co-infection is thought to play a contributory role alongside EBV. Despite its aggressive nature, Burkitt lymphoma is highly curable with intensive, short-duration combination chemotherapy regimens. Standard treatment protocols typically include high-dose cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, cytarabine, doxorubicin, vincristine, and etoposide, along with intrathecal chemotherapy for CNS prophylaxis. The addition of rituximab (an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) has further improved outcomes. Cure rates exceed 80–90% in children and are also favorable in adults when treated with appropriate intensive regimens. Tumor lysis syndrome is a significant risk at treatment initiation due to the rapid cell turnover and requires careful prophylaxis and monitoring. Relapsed or refractory disease carries a poor prognosis, though newer approaches including CAR-T cell therapy and targeted agents are under investigation.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Common questions about Burkitt lymphoma