Facts on Burkitt’s lymphoma
Dec 27, 2005
BURKITT'S lymphoma (BL) is a cancer of the lymphatic system common in Central Africa. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and fights diseases and infections.
By Herbert Mugarura
BURKITT'S lymphoma (BL) is a cancer of the lymphatic system common in Central Africa. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and fights diseases and infections.
BL represents the most common tumour in children below 14 years in Africa; 97% of the tumours being associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV infects normal B-lymphocytes to change into B-cancerous cells, leading to the development of BL.
This usually occurs when the patient has reduced immunity due to immunological defects, genetic predisposition, chronic malaria, HIV and environmental co-carcinogens (substances or factors that will not promote cancer by themselves, but can potentiate it when acting with cancer causing agents).
Signs and symptoms
The classical sign is gross swelling of the jawbone from where it rapidly spreads to other parts and invades the central nervous system. It affects the lymph-nodes, bone marrow, liver and lungs, causing body weakness and paralysis.
Symptoms include high temperatures, sore throat, night sweats, weight loss, abdominal pain, bone and joint pains. Others are constipation, tiredness and loss of appetite. Some children may have chest discomfort, with cough, wheezing and difficulty in breathing.
BL may also affect the eyes, ovaries, kidneys, breasts, thyroid and tonsils.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis is made by removing cells from an enlarged lymph node and examining them under a microscope. This is known as a biopsy and it is a small operation. Biopsies may also be taken from other body tissues to find out whether the lymphoma has spread.
Additional tests, including blood and urine tests, x-rays, scans and bone marrow samples, are also used to find out about the type of lymphoma.
With prompt treatment, BL responds well to treatment. Intensive treatment may begin with combinations of high-doses of anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapy) that destroy cancer cells, together with radiotherapy for between six and nine months. Sometimes, healthy stem cells may be transplanted from the bone marrow of another person with same tissue as the patient (allogeneic transplantation).
For tumours, careful surgical considerations must be done. Short and long term treatment depends on the extent of the disease, age and overall health status of the person, the spread of the cancer, underlying diseases if any, response to therapy and tolerance to specific drugs and procedures.
The writer is a doctor
mugarrajk@doctor.com
077444526
BURKITT'S lymphoma (BL) is a cancer of the lymphatic system common in Central Africa. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and fights diseases and infections.
BL represents the most common tumour in children below 14 years in Africa; 97% of the tumours being associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV infects normal B-lymphocytes to change into B-cancerous cells, leading to the development of BL.
This usually occurs when the patient has reduced immunity due to immunological defects, genetic predisposition, chronic malaria, HIV and environmental co-carcinogens (substances or factors that will not promote cancer by themselves, but can potentiate it when acting with cancer causing agents).
Signs and symptoms
The classical sign is gross swelling of the jawbone from where it rapidly spreads to other parts and invades the central nervous system. It affects the lymph-nodes, bone marrow, liver and lungs, causing body weakness and paralysis.
Symptoms include high temperatures, sore throat, night sweats, weight loss, abdominal pain, bone and joint pains. Others are constipation, tiredness and loss of appetite. Some children may have chest discomfort, with cough, wheezing and difficulty in breathing.
BL may also affect the eyes, ovaries, kidneys, breasts, thyroid and tonsils.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis is made by removing cells from an enlarged lymph node and examining them under a microscope. This is known as a biopsy and it is a small operation. Biopsies may also be taken from other body tissues to find out whether the lymphoma has spread.
Additional tests, including blood and urine tests, x-rays, scans and bone marrow samples, are also used to find out about the type of lymphoma.
With prompt treatment, BL responds well to treatment. Intensive treatment may begin with combinations of high-doses of anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapy) that destroy cancer cells, together with radiotherapy for between six and nine months. Sometimes, healthy stem cells may be transplanted from the bone marrow of another person with same tissue as the patient (allogeneic transplantation).
For tumours, careful surgical considerations must be done. Short and long term treatment depends on the extent of the disease, age and overall health status of the person, the spread of the cancer, underlying diseases if any, response to therapy and tolerance to specific drugs and procedures.
The writer is a doctor
mugarrajk@doctor.com
077444526