Burkitt Lymphoma in Children
Overview
Burkitt lymphoma is a rare, fast-growing, aggressive form of non-Hodgkin mature B-cell
lymphoma (NHL). It’s a type of cancer that starts in white blood cells in the lymphatic
system. It's named for the doctor who first described it in children in Africa.
The lymphatic system is part of the
immune system. It helps the body fight diseases and infections. It also helps balance
fluids in different parts of the body. The lymphatic system includes:
-
Lymph. This is a clear fluid that contains
white blood cells called lymphocytes.
-
Lymph vessels. These are tiny tubes that carry
lymph fluid all over the body.
-
Lymphocytes. These are white blood cells
that fight infections and disease. Burkitt lymphoma starts in the type of lymphocyte
called mature B-cells. B-cells make antibodies to fight infections.
-
Lymph nodes. These are small bean-shaped
organs. They're scattered all over the body. They're connected by lymph vessels. And
they filter the lymph fluid as it moves around the body.
-
Other organs and body tissues. The
lymphatic system includes the bone marrow where blood cells are made. It also
includes the spleen, thymus, and tonsils.
There are 3 main types of Burkitt lymphoma in children:
-
Endemic (may be called African Burkitt
lymphoma).
Endemic means it's common in one area. This type is a
common childhood cancer in central Africa, Brazil, and Papua New Guinea (along the
equator). It causes large tumors of the face and starts in the jawbone and other
facial bones. It's rare in the U.S.
-
Sporadic (nonendemic). This is the type
most often seen in the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe. It often causes large tumors
in the belly (abdomen).
-
Immunodeficiency-associated. This type
mostly affects children who have a weak immune system due to HIV infection, an
inherited disease, or because they take medicines after organ transplant. It also
causes tumors on the abdomen.
Risk Factors
In children, sporadic Burkitt lymphoma
is most common in boys between ages 5 and 14 in the U.S.
Causes
Like
other types of NHL, the exact cause of Burkitt lymphoma isn't known. Some viral
infections may increase a child’s risk of having Burkitt lymphoma. The viruses that
are
linked to Burkitt lymphoma include:
- Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes mono (mononucleosis)
- HIV, the virus that causes AIDS
- In the
U.S., Burkitt lymphoma often has genetic changes.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Burkitt lymphoma often start suddenly, and the tumors tend to grow
very
quickly. A child can become very sick in a few days to a few weeks.
Symptoms of a belly (abdominal)
tumor can include:
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Nausea
and vomiting
- Trouble
with bowel movements (constipation)
- Poor appetite
- Feeling
full quickly, such as after eating a small amount of food
Other
symptoms may include:
- Painless
swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, chest, abdomen, underarm, or groin
- Fever
- Chills
- Night
sweats
- Tiring
easily (fatigue)
- Weight
loss
- Itchy
skin
- Coughing or trouble breathing
The
symptoms of Burkitt lymphoma can look like other health conditions. Make sure your
child
sees a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Diagnosis
Your
child's healthcare provider will ask about your child's health history and symptoms.
They will examine your child. Your child may need tests, such as:
-
Blood and urine tests. Blood and urine
samples are tested in a lab for signs of cancer and to check organ function. HIV
testing may be done.
-
Tissue biopsy. A small piece of tissue
(called a sample) is taken from the tumor, lymph nodes, or other tissue. It’s sent
to
a lab and tested for cancer cells.
-
Chest X-ray. This shows the heart, lungs, and other
parts of the chest.
-
CT (computed tomography) scan.
This may be done to look at the abdomen, chest, and pelvis. A CT scan uses a
series of X-rays taken from different angles and a computer to make detailed 3-D
pictures of the inside of the body. Your child may drink a contrast medium (may be
called a dye). Or contrast may be injected into a vein before having the scan. The
contrast helps show more details.
-
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. An
MRI uses large powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer to make detailed
pictures of the inside of the body. This test might be used to check the brain and
spinal cord. Or it may be used if the results of an X-ray or CT scan are unclear. A
contrast medium may be injected into a vein before having the scan.
-
PET (positron emission tomography)
scan.
This scan is used to look for active tumor cells all over the body. A
small amount of radioactive glucose is injected into a vein. Sometimes a PET scan
and
CT scan are done at the same time (PET/CT scan).
-
Ultrasound.
This is also called sonography. High-energy sound waves and a computer are used
to make pictures of blood vessels, tissues, and organs.
-
Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy. Bone
marrow is the thick liquid in the center of some bones. It’s where blood cells are
made. A small amount of bone marrow fluid may be taken out. This is called
aspiration. Or solid pieces of bone marrow tissue may be taken. This is called a core
biopsy. Bone marrow is often taken from the back of the hip bone. This test may be
done to see if cancer cells have spread to the bone marrow.
-
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). A thin needle
is put between the bones in the lower back and into the spinal canal. This is the
area around the spinal cord. This is done to see if there are cancer cells in
the brain and spinal cord. A small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is taken out
and sent for testing. CSF is the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.
Part
of diagnosing cancer is called staging. Other tests may be recommended for staging
and
before treatment. Staging is the process of seeing if the cancer has spread, and where
it has spread. Staging also helps to decide on the best treatment. There are different
ways of staging NHL. But most range from stage 1 to stage 4. Stage 4 is cancer that
has
spread to parts of the body that are not part of the lymphatic system. Talk with your
child's healthcare provider about the stage of your child's cancer and what it means.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the type and stage. Burkitt lymphoma is most often treated
with:
-
Chemotherapy (chemo). These are strong
medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Chemo is the main
treatment for Burkitt lymphoma. Often more than one type of chemo is used. If cancer
cells are found in the CSF, chemo will need to be given there, too.
-
Immunotherapy. These are
medicines that boost the immune system to better find and kill cancer cells. They're
often given along with chemo. Rituximab is one of the medicines that may be used.
Other immunotherapy medicines are being researched.
-
Surgery. If there's only one large tumor,
surgery may be done to remove it. This is done before chemotherapy.
-
Clinical trials. Most children with cancer
are treated as part of a clinical trial. Taking part in a clinical trial means your
child gets the best treatment available today, and might also get new treatments that
are thought to be even better. Before starting treatment, talk to your child's
healthcare provider to find out if there are any treatments being tested that may
work well for your child. Many new treatments are only available in clinical trials.
Burkitt
lymphoma grows quickly and the tumors are often very big. When chemo starts, it kills
a
lot of cancer cells in a short time. This waste from the contents of the killed cancer
cells can build up in your child's blood and cause a problem called tumor lysis syndrome
(TLS). TLS can cause kidney damage and problems with the heart and nervous system.
Your
child will be given medicines and a lot of IV fluids to help keep this from happening.
Your
child will need follow-up care during and after treatment to:
- Check
on your child's response to the treatment
- Manage
the side effects of treatment
- See if
the cancer has come back or spread
With
treatment, most children with Burkitt lymphoma go on to live long lives. With any
cancer, how well a child is expected to recover (their prognosis) varies. Keep in
mind:
- Getting
medical treatment right away is important for the best prognosis.
- Ongoing
follow-up care during and after treatment is needed.
- New
treatments are being tested to improve outcome and reduce side effects.
- Talk
with the healthcare provider about any concerns you may have or problems you may
notice. Your child's treatment team wants to know as much as they can about how your
child is doing.
Complications
Possible complications depend on the type and stage of the lymphoma, as well as the
treatment used. Your child may have short- and long-term problems from the tumor or
from
treatment. These may include things like:
- Increased risk for infection
- Increased risk for bleeding
- Nausea
and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Poor
appetite
- Sores in
the mouth
- Hair
loss
- Heart
disease
- Lung
problems
- Increased risk for having other cancers later in life
- Trouble
having children (infertility)
- Tumor lysis syndrome
Many chemo
side effects can be treated to keep them from getting worse. There may even be things
you can do to help prevent some of them. Talk with the healthcare provider about what
you should watch for and what can be done to help prevent complications.
Living with
You
can help your child manage their treatment in many ways. For example:
- Your
child may have trouble eating. A dietitian may be able to help.
- Your
child may be very tired. They will need to balance rest and activity. Encourage your
child to get some exercise. This is good for overall health. And it may help to
reduce tiredness.
- Get
emotional support for your child. Find a counselor, psychologist, or child support
group that can help.
- Make
sure your child goes to all follow-up appointments.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
Call
the healthcare provider if your child has:
- Symptoms that get worse
- New
symptoms
- Side
effects from treatment that affect your child's daily function or don't get better
with treatment
Ask your child's healthcare provider what signs to watch for and when
to call. Know how to get help after office hours and on weekends and holidays.
Key Points
- Burkitt
lymphoma is a very fast-growing, aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- It
often causes large belly (abdominal) tumors.
- A child
may have swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, fever, and other symptoms.
- It's
treated mainly with chemotherapy and possibly with surgery.
- With
treatment, most children with Burkitt lymphoma go on to live long lives.
- Ongoing
care after treatment is important.
Next Steps
Tips
to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
- Know
the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
- Before
your visit, write down questions you want answered.
- At the
visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments,
or
tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your
child.
- Know why
a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know
what the side effects are.
- Ask if
your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
- Know why
a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
- Know
what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or
procedure.
- If your
child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that
visit.
- Know
how you can contact your child’s healthcare provider after office hours. This is
important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.