Burkitt's Lymphoma

Key points

• Burkitt's lymphoma is a high-grade B-cell neoplasm. There are two major forms:
• endemic (African) form: typically involves maxilla or mandible
• sporadic form: abdominal (e.g. ileo-caecal) tumours are the most common form. More common in patients with HIV Burkitt's lymphoma is associated with the c-myc gene translocation, usually t(8:14).
• 'starry sky' appearance: lymphocyte sheets interspersed with macrophages containing dead apoptotic tumour cells Management is with chemotherapy. This tends to produce a rapid response which may cause 'tumour lysis syndrome'.
• hyperkalaemia