|
B-cell lymphoma
Definition
Burkitt lymphoma is a very fast growing form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Alternative Names
B-cell lymphoma; High-grade B-cell lymphoma; Small non-cleaved cell lymphoma
Causes
This type of tumor was first discovered in children in certain parts of Africa, but it also occurs in the United States.
The African type of Burkitt lymphoma is closely associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the main cause of infectious mononucleosis. The North American form of Burkitt lymphoma is not linked to EBV.
Burkitt lymphoma may first be noticed as a swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the neck, groin, below the jaw, or under the arm. These swollen lymph nodes are often painless, but can grow very rapidly. In the more common types seen in the U.S., the cancer usually starts in the belly area (abdomen). The disease can also start in parts of the body, such as the ovaries, testes, brain, and spinal fluid.
The majority of Burkitt lymphoma cases are seen in males.
Symptoms
- Unexplained swollen lymph nodes
- Non-tender nodes
- Rapid growth of the lymph nodes
- Nodes that grow together to form a lump
Exams and Tests
- Lymph node biopsy
- Chest x-ray
- Bone marrow biopsy
- CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis
- Cerebral spinal fluid analysis
- PET or gallium scan
Treatment
Chemotherapy is used to treat this type of cancer. Commonly used medicines include prednisone, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, cytarabine, doxorubicin, methotrexate, and others.
Support Groups
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.
Outlook (Prognosis)
More than half of those with Burkitt lymphoma can be cured with intensive chemotherapy. The cure rate may be lower if the cancer spreads to the bone marrow or spinal fluid.
Possible Complications
- Complications of treatment (radiation therapy or chemotherapy)
- Spread of the cancer
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of Burkitt lymphoma.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2006. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2006.
Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:1182.
Email to a Friend
Typical mistypes for B-cell lymphoma v-cell lymphoma, n-cell lymphoma, h-cell lymphoma, g-cell lymphoma, b0cell lymphoma, bpcell lymphoma, b-xell lymphoma, b-vell lymphoma, b-fell lymphoma, b-dell lymphoma, b-cwll lymphoma, b-csll lymphoma, b-cdll lymphoma, b-crll lymphoma, b-c4ll lymphoma, b-c3ll lymphoma, b-cekl lymphoma, b-cepl lymphoma, b-ceol lymphoma, b-celk lymphoma, b-celp lymphoma, b-celo lymphoma, b-cell kymphoma, b-cell pymphoma, b-cell oymphoma, b-cell ltmphoma, b-cell lgmphoma, b-cell lhmphoma, b-cell lumphoma, b-cell l7mphoma, b-cell l6mphoma, b-cell lynphoma, b-cell lykphoma, b-cell lyjphoma, b-cell lymohoma, b-cell lymlhoma, b-cell lym-homa, b-cell lym0homa, b-cell lympgoma, b-cell lympboma, b-cell lympnoma, b-cell lympjoma, b-cell lympuoma, b-cell lympyoma, b-cell lymphima, b-cell lymphkma, b-cell lymphlma, b-cell lymphpma, b-cell lymph0ma, b-cell lymph9ma, b-cell lymphona, b-cell lymphoka, b-cell lymphoja, b-cell lymphomz, b-cell lymphoms, b-cell lymphomw, b-cell lymphomq, -cell lymphoma, bcell lymphoma, b-ell lymphoma, b-cll lymphoma, b-cel lymphoma, b-cel lymphoma, b-celllymphoma, b-cell ymphoma, b-cell lmphoma, b-cell lyphoma, b-cell lymhoma, b-cell lympoma, b-cell lymphma, b-cell lymphoa, b-cell lymphom, -bcell lymphoma, bc-ell lymphoma, b-ecll lymphoma, b-clel lymphoma, b-cel llymphoma, b-celll ymphoma, b-cell ylmphoma, b-cell lmyphoma, b-cell lypmhoma, b-cell lymhpoma, b-cell lympohma, b-cell lymphmoa, b-cell lymphoam, bb-cell lymphoma, b--cell lymphoma, b-ccell lymphoma, b-ceell lymphoma, b-celll lymphoma, b-celll lymphoma, b-cell lymphoma, b-cell llymphoma, b-cell lyymphoma, b-cell lymmphoma, b-cell lympphoma, b-cell lymphhoma, b-cell lymphooma, b-cell lymphomma, b-cell lymphomaa, etc.
|