Burkitts Lymphoma

Burkitts lymphoma is a very rare type of cancer. Less than a thousand cases diagnosed each year in the United States.

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 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) cancer that affects lymphocytes B. There are three different types of this disease:

Related -Immunodeficiency: Forms condition occurs most frequently in HIV patients and immunocompromised individuals such as transplant recipients same recently. This condition may signal the onset of AIDS.

-Sporadic: This is a variant of the disease is found outside the African continent. It is similar to endemic Burkitt's lymphoma and is associated with compromised immune systems.

-Endemic: This form of the disease called "African" form and is responsible for most cases of malignant central African children. Form of the disease may affect some areas but most often impacts jaw, ovarian, breast, kidney, facial bones. Epstein-Barr virus, which is the virus responsible for mononucleosis is closely associated with Burkitt.

Burkitts lymphoma Symptoms may include pain, swelling of the lymph nodes (this is the characteristic of lymphoma in general), hardening and / or the rapid growth of the lymph nodes. Pain in the abdomen is another possible sign.

This disease can be diagnosed by various modes such as:

-X-Ray chest

-Blood Counts

Fluid analysis -Spinal

-Lymph Node and / or bone marrow biopsy

-CT and / or PET Scan

Treatment of this disease usually involves intense chemotherapy. Before that chemotherapy is started, the better the prospects because this is a very aggressive form of cancer. However, some fast-growing cancers such as Burkitt, respond more quickly to treatment. It can actually harm the patient through a process called lysis syndrome tumor, in which the body is exposed byproduct of the breakdown of cancer cells that can cause one of a number of serious complications such as severe electrolyte disturbances and kidney failure.

Combination chemotherapy can be equipped with radiotherapy, dietary interventions, nootropics, supplements, exposure to natural sunlight (vitamin D). Surgery is often indicated to remove the tumor and bone marrow transplantation may be required in the case that the bone marrow is affected.

Burkitt's lymphoma prognosis depends on patient risk factors. Caught early (low risk or low / intermediate risk), combination chemotherapy has resulted in survival rates in the range of 90%. These figures decreased significantly for high-risk cases; ~ 70% for the medium risk / high and ~ 30% for high risk. Total 5-year survival rate for adults with Burkitts lymphoma is approximately 50 percent.