Burkitt Lymphoma – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

 Burkitt lymphoma is a highly aggressive and fast-growing form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a cancer affecting the lymphatic system. It is named after the British surgeon Denis Burkitt, who first described the disease in African children in the 1950s. Burkitt lymphoma is characterised by the abnormal growth of B-cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies.


Burkitt lymphoma is divided into three subtypes. Each variety affects people differently depending on where they live, their age, and whether they have particular underlying medical concerns, and whether they have particular underlying medical concerns; each variety affects people differently. The risk of Burkitt lymphoma is higher in males than in females.



The three types are:


Endemic- This virus is what leads to mononucleosis. Tumours commonly develop in the jawbone or other facial bones in children with endemic Burkitt lymphoma.

Sporadic-Burkitt lymphoma of this sort is prevalent in the US. More children than adults are impacted by it. In children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma makes up more than 40% of cases.

Immunodeficiency-related- People with acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) are affected by this kind of Burkitt lymphoma.

Causes of Burkitt Lymphoma

Burkitt lymphoma’s exact cause is unknown. Burkitt lymphoma cells are the subject of research, and the condition is linked to alterations in the MYC gene and other genes that have been discovered in the cancer cells.


The MYC gene regulates some elements of cell growth. What alters the genetic makeup remains a mystery to researchers.


Burkitt lymphoma is an uncommon kind of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, making up about 1–5% of cases. Children are more likely to develop it, and the typical age at diagnosis is 6. Males are three to four times more likely than females to have this type of cancer.



Symptoms of Burkitt Lymphoma

Adults and children are affected by Burkitt lymphoma in different ways. Many of the symptoms of Burkitt lymphoma are similar to other disorders.


The following are some common symptoms:


Fever

Sweating at night

Unexplained weight loss

Fatigue

Lack of energy

Specific forms of this cancer may bring on additional symptoms. They are:


Facial bone distortion

Abdominal swelling

Abdominal pain

An enlarged thyroid

Enlarged tonsils

Intestinal blockages

Bowel pain and bleeding



Treatment of Burkitt Lymphoma

The primary treatment for Burkitt lymphoma is intensive intravenous chemotherapy, frequently requiring a hospital stay. The treatment known as intrathecal chemotherapy involves injecting chemotherapy medications directly into the cerebrospinal fluid because Burkitt lymphoma can spread to the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.


Burkitt lymphoma may also be treated with intense chemotherapy along with:


The patient’s stem cells are collected, maintained, and transferred to the body during an autologous stem cell transplant.

Treatment using radiation

The use of steroids

If Burkitt lymphoma is not treated, it is deadly. Burkitt lymphoma in children is typically curable with early, aggressive treatment, with 60% to 90% long-term survival rates. Results vary more frequently in people who are adults. Early intervention is generally linked to 70% to 80% longer-term survival rates.



Conclusion

Burkitt lymphoma can quickly spread and cause mortality if not treated correctly. Children who get intensive treatment have the highest rates of long-term survival. Most Burkitt lymphoma patients who receive prompt diagnosis and treatment go into long-term remission, or cancer-free, mode. Children are more likely than adults to get long-term remission. Healthcare professionals have made enormous strides in treating Burkitt lymphoma in adults and children. This malignancy is uncommon, aggressive, and potentially fatal.


FAQs

Q. How does one take care of oneself during treatment for Burkitt lymphoma?

A. Treatment for Burkitt lymphoma might be difficult. Aside from the physical side effects, you or your child might have to spend days in the hospital, interfering with family, professional, and academic obligations. Here are some ideas that might be useful:


Involve your network of family and friends who could be able to support friends at home if you or your child will be in the hospital for several days.

Treatment can be draining, and you or your child can feel worn out after finishing it. Allow yourself and them space to recover.

Healthy eating is essential for cancer recovery since cancer treatment might affect your or your child’s appetite.

Some kids experience self-consciousness because they are receiving therapy, experiencing side effects, or simply missing out on school and friends. Ask your doctor about the services provided by a child life specialist.

Q. What percentage of Burkitt lymphoma patients survive?

A. The majority of Burkitt lymphoma patients who are diagnosed and get prompt treatment go into long-term remission or a cancer-free state. Compared to adults, kids are more likely to experience long-term remission.


Q. What are the side effects of the treatment?

A. Fatigue, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation are a few of the typical adverse effects of chemotherapy. However, tumour lysis syndrome can appear in patients undergoing treatment for rapidly growing lymphomas such as Burkitt lymphoma.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Big predictions for 2024, many seem to be coming true, there is also a claim on the day of the end of the world Baba Venga, born in 1911 and left this world in 1996, is known worldwide for her predictions. He gained a lot of fame by predicting the death of Princess Diana. Many claims made by him were proven true after his death.

Image
 Bulgaria's mysterious Baba Venga has made many predictions for the year 2024. Blind Baba Venga made several claims for 2024 before his death in 1996 at the age of 85. Some of these appear to be recovering and the early months of this year have seen turmoil in many parts of the world. Baba Venga, who has predicted major global events such as the 9/11 attacks, Chernobyl disaster and the death of Princess Diana, has many predictions for 2024. Baba Vanga has been compared to the French astrologer Nostradamus, whose predictions brought him recognition during and after the Renaissance. Baba Venga also made many big predictions in the same way. Among the important predictions made by Baba Venga for 2024, climate change is prominent. Baba Venga predicted the occurrence of severe weather events and natural disasters in 2024. This is also proving to be true. The study shows that peak temperatures have increased. The World Meteorological Organization has said that it is likely that 2024 will
Read more

What is the basics of a ketogenic diet ?

Image
 What is a keto diet? Keto or ketosis is a process of your body using fat as fuel for energy, rather than carbohydrates. To understand everything about keto we also need to understand that the body primarily uses carbohydrates as energy or fuel. Once you shut those down, the body then starts using fats and produces ketones. Once your body is producing ketones, this means that now your body will be using fat as energy rather than carbs. Thus, a beginners guide to ketosis would state the keto diet as a high-fat, moderate protein and extremely low carb diet. What? You can burn fat by eating fat? Yes you can, but not the ghee you put on your paratha’s. Healthy fats that help you attain good cholesterol. But how is this even possible? Well the body actually prefers to use glucose i.e. glycogen for fuel. That essentially means that your body will use carbs first and fat later. Eating carbs also increases insulin which promotes fat storage. Essentially by taking a high fat, low carb approach,
Read more

Keep these self defense things with you If you also keep traveling alone or are going to travel in the coming days, then today we are telling you things related to safety. By adopting these you can make your journey happy.

Image
  Nowadays, traveling alone has become a common thing. Children always have to go out due to studies and job. Parents are so busy that they are not able to go there again and again. Everyone's life is so busy that no one waits to travel somewhere. Be it men or women, everyone travels as per their convenience and requirement. If you also keep traveling alone or are going to travel in the coming days, then today we are telling you things related to safety. By adopting these you can make your journey happy. Every woman knows that the outside world is not safe for them, but still many women do not keep some such security measures with them and that is why we are telling you about some such security options, which you will find very useful. . You can easily carry them with you and can easily get these things in the market. pepper spray Be sure to carry pepper spray on a solo trip and it is also very easy to carry. It is designed in such a way that you can use it in times of problem. The
Read more