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Burkitt Lymphoma

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Book cover Lymphoma

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Oncology ((CCO,volume 43))

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Abstract

Diagnostic criteria for Burkitt lymphoma (BL) are a strong expression of mature B-cell antigens, chromosomal translocations involving MYC t(8;14) in 80 % and more rarely t(8;22) or t(2;8), and a very high proliferation index. Clinically, 80 % of patients with a sporadic form of BL show extranodal manifestations, most often an abdominal mass. Owing to fast progression, tumor lysis syndrome at diagnosis or after initiation of therapy warrants immediate therapeutic intervention. Treatment regimens consist of four to eight cycles of short intensive sequential therapy blocks with high-dose (HD) fractionated alkylating agents, HD methotrexate, and HD cytarabine. Complete remission is achieved in about 80 % of adults and overall survival is 60 %. Stem cell transplantation is not superior and therefore has no place in first-line treatment. The addition of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab with sequential high-dose chemotherapy has improved CR rates to >80–100 % and survival rates to 70 to <90 %.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Onkologikum, Frankfurt am Museumsufer, Schaubstr. 16, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany

    Dieter Hoelzer MD, PhD

  2. Klinik für Hämatologie und Onkologie, CBF, Charité, Hindenburgdamm 30, Berlin, 12200, Germany

    Thomas Burmeister MD, PhD

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  1. Dieter Hoelzer MD, PhD
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  2. Thomas Burmeister MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Dieter Hoelzer MD, PhD .

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  1. Holcombe Blvd. 1515, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA

    Anas Younes

  2. Service d'Hematologie, CHU Lyon-Sud, chemin du Grand Revoyet, Pierre Bénite, 69310, France

    Bertrand Coiffier

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Hoelzer, D., Burmeister, T. (2013). Burkitt Lymphoma. In: Younes, A., Coiffier, B. (eds) Lymphoma. Current Clinical Oncology, vol 43. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-408-1_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-408-1_14

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