Difference between revisions of "HAEM5:Burkitt lymphoma"

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==Primary Author(s)*==
 
==Primary Author(s)*==

Revision as of 16:16, 7 December 2023

Haematolymphoid Tumours (5th ed.)

editHAEM5 Conversion Notes
This page was converted to the new template on 2023-12-07. The original page can be found at HAEM4:Burkitt Lymphoma.

Primary Author(s)*

Becky Leung, MBBS (Hons), BSc, Pathology Queensland

Cancer Category / Type

Mature B-cell neoplasm

Cancer Sub-Classification / Subtype

Put your text here

Definition / Description of Disease

Put your text here (Instructions: Brief description of approximately one paragraph - include disease context relative to other WHO classification categories referring to the specific WHO book pages, diagnostic criteria if applicable, and differential diagnosis if applicable)

Synonyms / Terminology

Put your text here (Instructions: Include currently used terms and major historical ones, adding “(historical)” after the latter.)

Epidemiology / Prevalence

Put your text here

Clinical Features

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instruction: Can include references in the table)

Signs and Symptoms EXAMPLE Asymptomatic (incidental finding on complete blood counts)

EXAMPLE B-symptoms (weight loss, fever, night sweats)

EXAMPLE Fatigue

EXAMPLE Lymphadenopathy (uncommon)

Laboratory Findings EXAMPLE Cytopenias

EXAMPLE Lymphocytosis (low level)


editv4:Clinical Features
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Patients often present with bulky disease and high tumour burden, showing rapid clinical progression. The typically involved anatomical sites are different for the three subtypes. At presentation, 30% have localised (stage I or II) disease and 70% have advanced (stage III or IV) disease, according to the revised international paediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma staging system.

Tumour masses can compress and/or infiltrate adjacent tissues.

Due to the high chemosensitivity of the tumour, treatment of Burkitt Lymphoma with chemotherapy can lead to rapid tumour cell death and an acute tumour lysis syndrome secondary to this.

Sites of Involvement

Extra-nodal sites most often involved:

  • Commonly involved sites: jaw and facial bones, ileocaecal region, omentum, gonads, kidneys, long bones, thyroid, salivary glands and breasts
  • Jaws and other facial bones are the site of presentation in 50-70% of cases of endemic Burkitt lymphoma
  • Central nervous system
  • The ileocaecal region is the most frequently involved site in sporadic Burkitt lymphoma

Lymph node and bone marrow involvement less common but:

  • Frequent in immunodeficiency-associated Burkitt lymphoma
  • Presentation with lymphadenopathy is more common in adults than children
  • Waldeyer ring or mediastinal involvement is rare

Burkitt leukaemia variant

  • Leukaemic phase can be observed in patients with bulky disease
  • Only rare cases present purely as leukaemia with peripheral blood and bone marrow involvement, this more typically seen in males
  • Tends to involve the CNS at diagnosis or early in the disease course
  • Uncommon in endemic Burkitt lymphoma

Morphologic Features

Tissue specimens

  • Diffuse monotonous effacement of normal architecture by sheets of medium-sized lymphoid cells
  • At low power, tissue can have interspersed areas of coagulative necrosis or haemorrhage
  • High proliferation rate with a high rate of spontaneous apoptosis and many mitotic figures
  • A starry sky pattern is usually present, this refers to the presence of numerous tingible body macrophages that have phagocytosed apoptotic tumour cells. These macrophages have abundant clear cytoplasm and are dispersed throughout the basophilic tumour cells.

Nucleus

  • Round with finely clumped chromatin and multiple basophilic paracentral nucleoli

Cytoplasm

  • Deeply basophillic with lipid vacuoles

Variations

  • Some cases have a florid granulomatous reaction, which typically is associated with limited stage disease and good prognosis
  • Some cases can exhibit plasmacytoid differentiation with eccentric basophilic cytoplasm and a single central nucleolus (particularly with immundeficiency-associated Burkitt lymphoma)

Immunophenotype

Burkitt lymphoma is a germinal centre B-cell derived malignancy. Aberrant immunophenotypes (CD5 positive, CD10 negative, BCL2 weak) may be seen particularly in the Burkitt lymphoma of older patients. Burkitt leukaemia shows a similar immunophenotype to Burkitt lymphoma, in rare cases TdT and possibly CD34 expression, or loss of CD20 and surface immunoglobulin is seen.

Finding Marker
Positive (near-universal) MYC (strong)
Positive (typically) B cell antigens: CD19, CD20, CD22, CD79a, PAX5

Germinal centre markers: CD10, BCL6

surface IgM (moderate-strong) with light chain restriction

Ki67 typically high ~100%

Positive (frequent) CD38, CD77, CD43
Positive (paediatric) TCL1
Negative (usually) CD5, CD23, CD138, BCL2, TdT

Chromosomal Rearrangements (Gene Fusions)

Put your text here and fill in the table

Chromosomal Rearrangement Genes in Fusion (5’ or 3’ Segments) Pathogenic Derivative Prevalence Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Notes
EXAMPLE t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) EXAMPLE 3'ABL1 / 5'BCR EXAMPLE der(22) EXAMPLE 20% (COSMIC)

EXAMPLE 30% (add reference)

Yes No Yes EXAMPLE

The t(9;22) is diagnostic of CML in the appropriate morphology and clinical context (add reference). This fusion is responsive to targeted therapy such as Imatinib (Gleevec) (add reference).


editv4:Chromosomal Rearrangements (Gene Fusions)
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The development of Burkitt lymphoma is dependent on the constitutive expression of the MYC proto-oncogene. The MYC encoded protein is a transcriptional regulator, controlling target genes involved in cell cycle regulation, metabolism and apoptosis. Dysregulation of MYC expression occurs due to juxtaposition of regulatory elements of the immunoglobulin loci, usually IGH, but also IGL or IGK. Overexpression of MYC correlates with increased cell survival. The different Burkitt lymphoma subtypes harbour diverse MYC and IGH locus breakpoints. In endemic Burkitt lymphoma, MYC usually breaks several hundred kilobases further upstream and IG usually breaks in the VDJ region. In contrast, most sporadic and immunodeficiency-associated Burkitt lymphoma have chromosomal breakpoints within exon 1 and the first intron of MYC and at the class switch region of IG[1]. Although fluorescence in situ hydribisation (FISH) methods are well established in most pathology laboratories, no single probe set is able to cover all MYC breakpoints. In particular, distant breakpoints, complex rearrangements and cryptic insertions may be overlooked[2]. Hence, multiple FISH probe sets are required for comprehensive detection of clinically relevant MYC gene rearrangements.

A translocation involving MYC cannot be detected by FISH or classical cytogenetics in a small percentage of cases (less than 5%). This may be due to technical issues, such as a very small excision of MYC and insertion of the gene onto the IG loci, or a breakpoint localised outside the regions covered by the utilised FISH probes[3]. Mechanisms other then translocation that similarly lead to MYC overexpression have also been implicated in the development of Burkitt lymphoma[4]. Investigation for these should be considered in the presence of a consistent clinical and laboratory phenotype, where fusions are not detected.

Chromosomal Rearrangement Genes in Fusion (5’ or 3’ Segments) Pathogenic Derivative Prevalence
t(8;14)(q24;q32) 5'IGH / 3'MYC der(14) 85%
t(8;22)(q24;q11) 5'MYC / 3'IGL der(8) 10%
t(2;8)(p12;q24) 5'MYC / 3'IGK der(8) 5%


editv4:Clinical Significance (Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapeutic Implications).
Please incorporate this section into the relevant tables found in:
  • Chromosomal Rearrangements (Gene Fusions)
  • Individual Region Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH
  • Characteristic Chromosomal Patterns
  • Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)

Deciphering the genomic landscape of Burkitt lymphoma provides additional molecular targets for new treatment regimens. Burkitt lymphoma is often curable using intensive chemotherapy treatments. However, these regimens may not be well tolerated by older individuals and further treatment options are required for those who exhibit refractory or relapsed disease.

Considerations are for inhibitors of PI3K signaling and downstream pathways, and inhibiting cyclin dependent kinase 4/6 to block cyclin D3 mediated cell cycle progression.

Individual Region Genomic Gain / Loss / LOH

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Includes aberrations not involving gene fusions. Can include references in the table. Can refer to CGC workgroup tables as linked on the homepage if applicable.)

Chr # Gain / Loss / Amp / LOH Minimal Region Genomic Coordinates [Genome Build] Minimal Region Cytoband Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Notes
EXAMPLE

7

EXAMPLE Loss EXAMPLE

chr7:1- 159,335,973 [hg38]

EXAMPLE

chr7

Yes Yes No EXAMPLE

Presence of monosomy 7 (or 7q deletion) is sufficient for a diagnosis of AML with MDS-related changes when there is ≥20% blasts and no prior therapy (add reference).  Monosomy 7/7q deletion is associated with a poor prognosis in AML (add reference).

EXAMPLE

8

EXAMPLE Gain EXAMPLE

chr8:1-145,138,636 [hg38]

EXAMPLE

chr8

No No No EXAMPLE

Common recurrent secondary finding for t(8;21) (add reference).

editv4:Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH
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Most often, Burkitt lymphoma is associated with a simple karyotype. However additional chromosomal abnormalities may also occur and play a role in disease progression, see the table below for the more commonly implicated cytogenetic abnormalities.

In the context of a Burkitt lymphoma-like phenotype and/or Burkitt-like morphological appearance, the diagnosis of 'Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration' should be considered. This provisional WHO entity lacks a detectable MYC rearrangement, but shows alterations of 11q. These 11q alterations typically include proximal gains (eg 11q23.2-23.3), and telomeric losses (eg 11q24.1-ter). MicroRNA and gene expression profiling patterns are consistent with Burkitt lymphoma. Other common karyotypic features of this condition include a complex karyotype, and lack of the 1q loss typical of Burkitt lymphoma.

Chromosome Number Gain/Loss/Amp/LOH Region
1q Gain 21-25
6q Loss 11-14
7 Gain
8 Gain
12 Gain
13q Loss 32-34
17p Loss
18 Gain

Characteristic Chromosomal Patterns

Put your text here (EXAMPLE PATTERNS: hyperdiploid; gain of odd number chromosomes including typically chromosome 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, and 17; co-deletion of 1p and 19q; complex karyotypes without characteristic genetic findings; chromothripsis)

Chromosomal Pattern Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Notes
EXAMPLE

Co-deletion of 1p and 18q

Yes No No EXAMPLE:

See chromosomal rearrangements table as this pattern is due to an unbalanced derivative translocation associated with oligodendroglioma (add reference).

Gene Mutations (SNV / INDEL)

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: This table is not meant to be an exhaustive list; please include only genes/alterations that are recurrent and common as well either disease defining and/or clinically significant. Can include references in the table. For clinical significance, denote associations with FDA-approved therapy (not an extensive list of applicable drugs) and NCCN or other national guidelines if applicable; Can also refer to CGC workgroup tables as linked on the homepage if applicable as well as any high impact papers or reviews of gene mutations in this entity.)

Gene; Genetic Alteration Presumed Mechanism (Tumor Suppressor Gene [TSG] / Oncogene / Other) Prevalence (COSMIC / TCGA / Other) Concomitant Mutations Mutually Exclusive Mutations Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Notes
EXAMPLE: TP53; Variable LOF mutations

EXAMPLE:

EGFR; Exon 20 mutations

EXAMPLE: BRAF; Activating mutations

EXAMPLE: TSG EXAMPLE: 20% (COSMIC)

EXAMPLE: 30% (add Reference)

EXAMPLE: IDH1 R123H EXAMPLE: EGFR amplification EXAMPLE:  Excludes hairy cell leukemia (HCL) (add reference).


Note: A more extensive list of mutations can be found in cBioportal (https://www.cbioportal.org/), COSMIC (https://cancer.sanger.ac.uk/cosmic), ICGC (https://dcc.icgc.org/) and/or other databases. When applicable, gene-specific pages within the CCGA site directly link to pertinent external content.


editv4:Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)
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Gene Oncogene/Tumor Suppressor/Other Presumed Mechanism (LOF/GOF/Other; Driver/Passenger) Prevalence (COSMIC/TCGA/Other)
MYC Oncogene GOF 67%
ID3[5] Tumour suppressor LOF 34%
DDX3X[6] Tumour suppressor LOF 34%
BCL6[7] Oncogene GOF 25%
BCL7A[8] Oncogene GOF 24%
FBXO11[9] Tumour suppressor LOF 23%
FOXO1[10] Oncogene GOF 23%
SMARCA4[11] Tumour suppressor LOF 23%
ARID1A[12] Tumour suppressor LOF 18%
TP53[13] Tumour suppressor LOF 17%
CTCF[14] Tumour suppressor LOF 16%
CREBBP[15] Tumour suppressor LOF 15%
TCL1A[16] Oncogene GOF 15%
BCR[17] Oncogene GOF 15%
TCF3[18] Oncogene GOF 14%
CCND3[19] Oncogene GOF 14%

Epigenomic Alterations

Put your text here

Genes and Main Pathways Involved

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Can include references in the table.)

Gene; Genetic Alteration Pathway Pathophysiologic Outcome
EXAMPLE: BRAF and MAP2K1; Activating mutations EXAMPLE: MAPK signaling EXAMPLE: Increased cell growth and proliferation
EXAMPLE: CDKN2A; Inactivating mutations EXAMPLE: Cell cycle regulation EXAMPLE: Unregulated cell division
EXAMPLE:  KMT2C and ARID1A; Inactivating mutations EXAMPLE:  Histone modification, chromatin remodeling EXAMPLE:  Abnormal gene expression program
editv4:Genes and Main Pathways Involved
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MYC is the most commonly mutated gene in Burkitt lymphoma, such variants lead to constitutive expression of MYC, which drives cell survival. Aberrant somatic hypermutation is understood to be the major cause of MYC breakpoint formation and the presence of hypermutation in tandem with MYC rearrangement may be detectable if using sequencing methodologies.

Localised TP53 inactivating mutations or chromosomal deletions involving TP53 are also common in Burkitt lymphoma, and cause abrogation of TP53-dependent apoptotic pathways. Loss of TP53 function through the aforementioned means, or dysregulation due to the mutation of TP53 regulatory elements, is believed to be key to the development of Burkitt lymphoma[20].

TCF3 or ID3 mutations are seen in approximately 70% of sporadic Burkitt lymphoma. The normal function of transcription factor E2A (encoded by TCF3) is regulation of the differentiation of B-cells in the germinal centre. Mutations in TCF3 leads to reduced affinity for its negative regulator, ID3, promoting constitutive activity. TCF3 promotes B-cell receptor signaling in Burkitt lymphoma, which enhances survival via the PI3 kinase pathway. TCF3 also transactivates CCND3 which encodes cyclin D3 expression, promoting cell cycle progression and proliferation[21].

Mutations overall, and in particular in TCF3 and ID3, are less common in endemic Burkitt lymphoma when compared to sporadic cases. It is postulated that this additional mutational burden may take the place of EBV in sporadic Burkitt lymphomagenesis, given that either mechanism can lead to the activation of B-cell receptor signaling.

The gene expression and micro-RNA expression profiles of Burkitt lymphoma are different from other lymphomas. The expression profiles of endemic and sporadic BL are also slightly different to each other. There may be grey zones where Burkitt lymphoma is difficult to distinguish from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on gene expression, hence expression should not be used as an independent diagnostic tool[22].

Genetic Diagnostic Testing Methods

Put your text here

Familial Forms

The X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome 'Duncan disease', is associated with SH2D1A mutations. Individuals with this condition are at greatly increased risk of developing Burkitt lymphoma.

Additional Information

Put your text here

Links

HAEM5:High grade B-cell lymphoma with 11q aberrations

References

(use the "Cite" icon at the top of the page) (Instructions: Add each reference into the text above by clicking on where you want to insert the reference, selecting the “Cite” icon at the top of the page, and using the “Automatic” tab option to search such as by PMID to select the reference to insert. The reference list in this section will be automatically generated and sorted. If a PMID is not available, such as for a book, please use the “Cite” icon, select “Manual” and then “Basic Form”, and include the entire reference.)

  1. ↑ Neri, A.; et al. (1988-04-01). "Different regions of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus are involved in chromosomal translocations in distinct pathogenetic forms of Burkitt lymphoma". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 85 (8): 2748–2752. doi:10.1073/pnas.85.8.2748. ISSN 0027-8424.
  2. ↑ Muñoz-Mármol, Ana M; et al. (2013-09). "MYC status determination in aggressive B-cell lymphoma: the impact of FISH probe selection". Histopathology. 63 (3): 418–424. doi:10.1111/his.12178. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ↑ De Falco, Giulia; et al. (2015-10-09). "Burkitt lymphoma beyond MYC translocation: N-MYC and DNA methyltransferases dysregulation". BMC Cancer. 15 (1). doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1661-7. ISSN 1471-2407.
  4. ↑ Leucci, E; et al. (2008-09-18). "MYC translocation‐negative classical Burkitt lymphoma cases: an alternative pathogenetic mechanism involving miRNA deregulation". The Journal of Pathology. 216 (4): 440–450. doi:10.1002/path.2410. ISSN 0022-3417. line feed character in |title= at position 4 (help)
  5. ↑ Richter, Julia; et al. (2012-12). "Recurrent mutation of the ID3 gene in Burkitt lymphoma identified by integrated genome, exome and transcriptome sequencing". Nature Genetics. 44 (12): 1316–1320. doi:10.1038/ng.2469. ISSN 1546-1718. PMID 23143595. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ↑ Mo, Jie; et al. (2021-02-24). "DDX3X: structure, physiologic functions and cancer". Molecular Cancer. 20 (1). doi:10.1186/s12943-021-01325-7. ISSN 1476-4598.
  7. ↑ Kl, Bunting; et al. (2013 Jun). "New effector functions and regulatory mechanisms of BCL6 in normal and malignant lymphocytes". doi:10.1016/j.coi.2013.05.003. PMC 4075446. PMID 23725655. Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  8. ↑ Zani, V. J.; et al. (1996-04-15). "Molecular cloning of complex chromosomal translocation t(8;14;12)(q24.1;q32.3;q24.1) in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line defines a new gene (BCL7A) with homology to caldesmon". Blood. 87 (8): 3124–3134. ISSN 0006-4971. PMID 8605326.
  9. ↑ Pighi, Chiara; et al. (2015-12-03). "FBXO11, a Regulator of BCL6 Stability, Is Recurrently Mutated in Burkitt Lymphoma". Blood. 126 (23): 3673–3673. doi:10.1182/blood.v126.23.3673.3673. ISSN 0006-4971.
  10. ↑ Zhou, Peixun; et al. (2019-07-23). "Sporadic and endemic Burkitt lymphoma have frequent FOXO1 mutations but distinct hotspots in the AKT recognition motif". Blood Advances. 3 (14): 2118–2127. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2018029546. ISSN 2473-9537. PMC 6650741. PMID 31300419.
  11. ↑ Love, Cassandra; et al. (2012-12). "The genetic landscape of mutations in Burkitt lymphoma". Nature Genetics. 44 (12): 1321–1325. doi:10.1038/ng.2468. ISSN 1546-1718. PMC 3674561. PMID 23143597. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ↑ Love, Cassandra; et al. (2012-12). "The genetic landscape of mutations in Burkitt lymphoma". Nature Genetics. 44 (12): 1321–1325. doi:10.1038/ng.2468. ISSN 1546-1718. PMC 3674561. PMID 23143597. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ↑ Shannon-Lowe, Claire; et al. (2017-10-19). "Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphomas". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences. 372 (1732). doi:10.1098/rstb.2016.0271. ISSN 1471-2970. PMC 5597738. PMID 28893938.
  14. ↑ Chau, Charles M.; et al. (2006-06-15). "Regulation of Epstein-Barr Virus Latency Type by the Chromatin Boundary Factor CTCF". Journal of Virology. 80 (12): 5723–5732. doi:10.1128/JVI.00025-06. ISSN 0022-538X. PMC 1472585. PMID 16731911.CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  15. ↑ Love, Cassandra; et al. (2012-12). "The genetic landscape of mutations in Burkitt lymphoma". Nature Genetics. 44 (12): 1321–1325. doi:10.1038/ng.2468. ISSN 1546-1718. PMC 3674561. PMID 23143597. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ↑ Aggarwal, Mohit; et al. (2008-09-26). "TCL1A expression delineates biological and clinical variability in B-cell lymphoma". Modern Pathology. 22 (2): 206–215. doi:10.1038/modpathol.2008.148. ISSN 0893-3952.
  17. ↑ Küppers, Ralf (2005-04). "Mechanisms of B-cell lymphoma pathogenesis". Nature Reviews Cancer. 5 (4): 251–262. doi:10.1038/nrc1589. ISSN 1474-175X. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ↑ Schmitz, Roland; et al. (2012-10-04). "Burkitt lymphoma pathogenesis and therapeutic targets from structural and functional genomics". Nature. 490 (7418): 116–120. doi:10.1038/nature11378. ISSN 1476-4687. PMC 3609867. PMID 22885699.
  19. ↑ Schmitz, Roland; et al. (2012-10-04). "Burkitt lymphoma pathogenesis and therapeutic targets from structural and functional genomics". Nature. 490 (7418): 116–120. doi:10.1038/nature11378. ISSN 1476-4687. PMC 3609867. PMID 22885699.
  20. ↑ Shannon-Lowe, Claire; et al. (2017-10-19). "Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphomas". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences. 372 (1732). doi:10.1098/rstb.2016.0271. ISSN 1471-2970. PMC 5597738. PMID 28893938.
  21. ↑ Schmitz, Roland; et al. (2012-10-04). "Burkitt lymphoma pathogenesis and therapeutic targets from structural and functional genomics". Nature. 490 (7418): 116–120. doi:10.1038/nature11378. ISSN 1476-4687. PMC 3609867. PMID 22885699.
  22. ↑ Shannon-Lowe, Claire; et al. (2017-10-19). "Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphomas". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences. 372 (1732). doi:10.1098/rstb.2016.0271. ISSN 1471-2970. PMC 5597738. PMID 28893938.

Notes

*Primary authors will typically be those that initially create and complete the content of a page.  If a subsequent user modifies the content and feels the effort put forth is of high enough significance to warrant listing in the authorship section, please contact the CCGA coordinators (contact information provided on the homepage).  Additional global feedback or concerns are also welcome.

*Citation of this Page: “Burkitt lymphoma”. Compendium of Cancer Genome Aberrations (CCGA), Cancer Genomics Consortium (CGC), updated 12/7/2023, https://ccga.io/index.php/HAEM5:Burkitt_lymphoma.

Other Sections

Cancer Sub-Classification/Subtype


Burkitt lymphoma


Definition/Description of Disease


Burkitt lymphoma is a clinically aggressive but curable lymphoma with three aetiologically distinct subtypes, these being endemic, sporadic and immunodeficiency-associated Burkitt lymphoma. Infection with Epstein-Bar virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4, is seen all three subtypes, but is most strongly associated with endemic Burkitt Lymphoma. Detectable EBV infection is not essential for diagnosis, and may not be the cause in all cases; the frequency of EBV infection varies according to the epidemiological subtype of Burkitt lymphoma. The clinical presentation often involves extra-nodal sites but the disease can also present as an acute leukaemia.


Synonyms/Terminology

Burkitt cell leukaemia

Obsolete terms

  • Burkitt tumour
  • Malignant lymphoma, undifferentiated, Burkitt type
  • Malignant lymphoma, small non-cleaved, Burkitt type


Epidemiology/Prevalence


Endemic Burkitt lymphoma

  • Highly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV genome present in >95% of neoplastic cells) and Plasmodium falciparum infection
  • Occurs in equatorial Africa and Papua New Guinea, with a distribution that overlaps with regions endemic for malaria
  • Demographics: peak incidence among children aged 4-7 years
  • The incidence is higher in males than females, at a ratio of 2:1

Sporadic Burkitt lymphoma

  • EBV detected in 20-30% of cases, proportion of EBV positive cases appears to be much higher in adults than in children
  • Occurs worldwide
  • Western Europe and USA: low incidence, accounting for only 1-2% of all lymphomas overall (30-50% of all childhood lymphomas)
  • South America and northern Africa: incidence between that of sporadic Burkitt lymphoma in developed countries and endemic Burkitt lymphoma
  • Demographics: peak incidence among children and young adults (median age 30 years, with separate incidence peak in elderly patients)
  • M:F 2-3:1

Immunodeficiency-associated Burkitt lymphoma

  • EBV detected in 25-40% of cases
  • Associated with HIV infection (most commonly) and other forms of immunosuppression
  • Occurs early in the course of HIV infection, when CD4+ T cell counts are still high
  • Increased risk of developing Burkitt lymphoma has persisted across the pre-and post-HAART eras
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