The Prognosis Of Burkitts Lymphoma

Burkitts lymphoma is an exceedingly rare type of cancer. Less than a thousand cases are diagnosed yearly in the United States of America.

However, in some other parts of the world where it is endemic, such as certain parts of central Africa, Burkitt’s lymphoma is very common among children.

Burkitt’s lymphoma is a Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) cancer that affects B lymphocyte cells. There are 3 distinct varieties of this disease:

-Immunodeficiency-related: This form of the condition occurs most often in HIV patients and similarly immunocompromised individuals such as recent transplant recipients. The condition may signal the onset of AIDS.

-Sporadic: This variant of the disease is found outside of the African continent. It is akin to endemic Burkitt’s lymphoma and is associated with immune system compromise.

-Endemic: This form of the disease is the so-called “African” form and is responsible for the majority of malignant cases in central African children. This form of the disease may affect several areas but most often impacts the jaw, ovaries, breasts, kidneys, facial bone. The Epstein-Barr virus, which is the virus responsible for mononucleosis is closely associated with Burkitt’s.

The symptoms of Burkitts lymphoma may include painless, swollen lymph nodes (this is characteristic of lymphomas in general), hardening and/or rapid growth of the lymph nodes. Pain in the abdomen is another possible sign.

This disease can be diagnosed by a variety of modes such as:

-X-ray of the chest
-Blood Count
-Spinal fluid analysis
-Lymph node and/or bone marrow biopsy
-CT and/or PET scan

Treatment of this disease usually involves intense chemotherapy. The earlier that chemotherapy is started, the better the outlook as this is a particularly aggressive form of cancer. However, some cancers which grow rapidly such as Burkitt’s, respond more quickly to treatment. This can actually harm the patient through a process called tumor lysis syndrome, in which the body is subjected to the byproducts of the breakdown of cancer cells which may cause any of a host of serious complications such as severe electrolyte disruption and renal failure.

Combination chemotherapy may be supplemented with radiotherapy, dietary interventions, nootropics, supplements, exposure to natural sunlight (for vitamin D). Surgery is often indicated for the removal of tumors and a bone marrow transplant may be necessary in the case that the bone marrow is affected.

Burkitt Cancer Fiber
by: Ethel R. Nelson
publisher: TEACH Services, Inc., published: 1998-01-01
ASIN: 1572580933
EAN: 9781572580930
sales rank: 1576028
price: $9.90 (new), $0.33 (used)

The story of Dr. Denis Burkitt, who was renowned in medical circles for discovering a grotesque cancer in children (Burkitt’s lymphoma). His discovery led to the isolating of the first human cancer-causing virus, the Epstein-Barr virus. For more than 20 years Dr. Burkitt tirelessly traversed the world, skillfully lecturing on the potential for preventing disease through improved nutrition, including the dangerous role of a high-fat diet.

21st Century Adult Cancer Sourcebook: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) including Burkitt Lymphoma and Others – Clinical Data for Patients, Families, and Physicians
by: National Cancer Institute
publisher: Progressive Management, published: 2011-10-13
ASIN: B005VQUXZA

Authoritative information and practical advice from the nation’s cancer experts about non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) includes official medical data on signs, symptoms, early detection, diagnostic testing, risk factors and prevention, treatment options, surgery, radiation, drugs, chemotherapy, staging, biology, prognosis, and survival, with a complete glossary of technical medical terms and current references. Burkitt lymphoma is included in this collection.

Starting with the basics, and advancing to detailed patient-oriented and physician-quality information, this comprehensive in-depth compilation gives empowered patients, families, caregivers, nurses, and physicians the knowledge they need to understand the diagnosis and treatment of NHL.

Comprehensive data on clinical trials is included – with information on intervention, sponsor, gender, age group, trial phase, number of enrolled patients, funding source, study type, study design, NCT identification number and other IDs, first received date, start date, completion date, primary completion date, last updated date, last verified date, associated acronym, and outcome measures.

There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These types can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types, and they can be formed from either B-cells or T-cells. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include Burkitt lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include mycosis fungoides, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Lymphomas that occur after bone marrow or stem cell transplantation are usually B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and type of disease.

Extensive supplements, with chapters gathered from our Cancer Toolkit series and other reports, cover a broad range of cancer topics useful to cancer patients. This edition includes our exclusive Guide to Leading Medical Websites with updated links to 81 of the best sites for medical information, which let you quickly check for updates from the government and the best commercial portals, news sites, reference/textbook/non-commercial portals, and health organizations. Supplemental coverage includes:

Levels of Evidence for Cancer Treatment Studies
Glossary of Clinical Trial Terms
Clinical Trials Background Information and In-Depth Program
Clinical Trials at NIH
How To Find A Cancer Treatment Trial: A Ten-Step Guide
Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies
Access to Investigational Drugs
Clinical Trials Conducted by the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Taking Time: Support for People with Cancer
Facing Forward – Life After Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy and You

Burkitt’s lymphoma depends upon the risk-factor of the patient. Caught early (low-risk or low/intermediate risk), combination chemotherapy which has produced survival rates in the 90% range. These figures decline significantly for higher risk cases; ~70% for high/intermediate risk and ~30% for high risk. The total 5 year survival rate for adults with Burkitts lymphoma is about 50 percent.

Jonathyn David writes about Burkitts Lymphoma on his blog, The Symptoms of Lymphoma In Women.

Recommended Reading

• lymphatic cancer
• Lymphatic Cancer Definition
• Lymphoma Awareness Products
• Non-Hodgkin – Free Book
• Apocaps CX Apoptogen Formula for Dogs (90 capsules)
• Hodgkin Lymphoma – Enhanced Edition: Learn What Is Cause, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Care (Illustrated)
• 21st Century Adult Cancer Sourcebook: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) including Burkitt Lymphoma and Others – Clinical Data for Patients, Families, and Physicians
• Johns Hopkins Patients’ Guide to Lymphoma
• Dying to Have Known
• Diagnostic Pathology: Lymph Nodes and Spleen with Extranodal Lymphomas: Published by Amirsys
• Intestinal Lymphoma
• lymph nodes