Burkitt’s lymphoma: pathophysiology, diagnostics and treatment

Czech version

Authors: L. Šmardová ¹; I. Vášová ¹; M. Navrátil ¹; Z. Křenová ²; D. Šálek ¹; A. Marečková ¹; L. Křen ³; K. Bolčák ⁴; J. Vorlíček ¹; J. Mayer ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Interní hematoonkologická klinika Fakultní nemocnice Brno a lékařské fakulty Masarykovy univerzity, Brno, 2Klinika dětské onkologie Fakultní nemocnice Brno a lékařské fakulty Masarykovy univerzity, Brno, 3Ústav patologie Fakultní nemocnice Brno a lékařské ¹
Published in: Transfuze Hematol. dnes,14, 2008, No. 3, p. 131-139.
Category: Comprehensive Reports, Original Papers, Case Reports

Overview

Burkitt’s lymphoma is a highly aggressive mature B-cell malignancy with a characteristic chromosomal translocation of c-myc proto-oncogene. Clinically, it manifests mostly by an extranodal involvement, affection of gastrointestinal system and usually by developing of a big tumor mass. Exactly 50 years ago Denis Burkitt, an Irish doctor of medicine, described as the first the endemic variant of this lymphoma in children in eastern Africa and his cooperation with virologist Anthony Epstein led to the discovery of the virus etiology of this lymphoma. Burkitt’s lymphoma requires an early medical treatment that is nowadays based on intensive combined cycles of chemotherapeutic agents. A part of the therapy includes a prophylaxis of the affection of central nervous system by tumor cells, where high-dose methotrexate, cytosinarabinosid and intrathecal therapy is used. With respect to regular CD20 positivity in cancer cells, the best curative outcome is achieved by a combination of cytostatic agents therapy with a monoclonal antibody therapy rituximab. Burkitt’s lymphoma is nowadays ranked among potentially curable diseases.

Key words:
Burkitt’s lymphoma, Epstein-Barr virus, molecular biology, c-myc, tumor lysis syndrom, chemotherapy

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Transfusion and Haematology Today

2008 Issue 3