1. The Rare Lymphoma You Probably Never Heard Of
Both Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are types of cancers that affect the lymphatic system, which is composed of the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow and thymus. Burkitt's lymphoma is a type of cancer that falls under the non-Hodgkin's category. One of the roles of the lymphatic system is to fight infection by delivering lymphocytes, or immune cells, throughout the body. Lymphocytes are made up of T cells and B cells. Burkitt's lymphoma is a cancer of the B cells.
2. Who Gets It, Where and Why
Burkitt's lymphoma was named after Denis Parsons Burkitt, a surgeon who founded the disease in Africa in 1956. While rare in the United States, this lymphoma is found most commonly in Africa. It tends to strike children and is seen more in males than in females. It is closely associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (a startling 95 percent of cases are linked to EBV), an infection of the lymph glands, as well as malaria. There is also an increase of this lymphoma in those suffering from AIDS.
3. Following Burkitt's Deadly Path
This type of lymphoma is a fast-growing tumor and is the most aggressive of all lymphomas that fall under non-Hodgkin's. It can quickly cause problems in both metabolism and the kidneys. It also tends in many cases to spread to the central nervous system, blood or bone marrow. Burkitt's lymphoma is staged, as is other lymphomas, depending on the number and location of tumors. Stage A is a single tumor inside the abdomen, AR is inside the abdomen with 90 percent of tumor resected, B is more than one tumor outside the abdomen, C is inside the abdomen and D is both inside and outside the abdomen.
4. Poked, Prodded and Pulled
Tests need to be conducted to arrive at the diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma. Blood is tested to check liver and kidney functions and to evaluate blood cells. A biopsy of the lymph nodes and bone marrow is taken (especially if it is noted that a lymph node is enlarged), and in all cases the cerebrospinal fluid is tested. X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI of the chest and abdomen and a bone scan may also be needed.
5. The Fight of Your Life
Despite the fast-growing nature of this tumor, Burkitt's lymphoma is also one of the most curable types of lymphoma, depending on the stage of the disease at the time it is diagnosed. Chemotherapy is used aggressively to fight Burkitt's lymphoma. Up to 80 percent of children are cured with single therapy if the lymphoma is localized; more severe cases need combination therapy. For a relapse of the disease, stem cell transplantation is used and is successful in up to 40 percent of patients.
