Burkitt's lymphoma is a type of cancer that is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus, also the cause of mononucleosis as well as other cancers. It is named after Denis Parsons Burkitt , a surgeon who first described the disease in 1958 while working in equatorial Africa.

Children affected with the disease often also had chronic Malaria which is believed to have reduced resistance to the virus. This is known as classical African or endemic Burkitt's lymphoma. Outside of central Africa, a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is found where cancer cells have a similar appearance to the cancer cells of classical African or endemic Burkitt's lymphoma. Rare, this condition is known as the non-African or sporadic type of Burkitt's lymphoma. Again it is believed that impaired immunity provides an opening for development of the Epstein-Barr virus. The translocation of the myc gene is seen in this lymphoma. (t: 8;14)

Microscopy

Burkitt's lymphoma demonstrates a starry sky appearance.

Treatment

Chemotherapy, e.g. cyclophosphamide.

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General information