How is Burkitt's lymphoma treated? Causes and symptoms of the disease

Most often Burkitt's lymphoma is diagnosed in people living in the territory of Oceania and Africa. Only recently have single cases of such a disease been registered in the US and Europe. Fortunately, in the early stages of the disease most often gives in to treatment.

Causes of Lymphoma

Burkitt's lymphoma is a malignant tumor prone to rapid aggressive growth. The appearance of such a neoplasm is the result of malignant degeneration of B-lymphocytes.

Until recently, Burkitt's lymphoma was associated with the effects on the body of radiation and dangerous carcinogens. However, recent studies have shown that malignant degeneration in this case is associated with viral activity. In most patients with such a tumor in the body, the Epstein-Barr virus was detected. It is believed that after the binding of the virus particle to the lymphocyte, its uncontrolled division is possible - thus a tumor is formed.

The most commonly diagnosed is Burkitt's lymphoma in children between the ages of three and seven. Nevertheless, the development of the disease is not ruled out and in a more mature age.

Burkitt's lymphoma: symptoms

According to statistics, in about 30% of cases the tumor affects the intestine. Often, lymphoma is formed in the kidneys, ovaries, testicles, stomach, pancreas, adrenal gland, jaw. Much less often with an ailment, the salivary glands and the thyroid gland suffer.

Malignant degeneration of cells begins in the lymph node. At this stage, signs of lymphoma resemble a cold. Patients complain of chills, fever, an increase in lymph nodes. Only after this begins a rapid growth of neoplasm.

Symptoms that accompany Burkitt's lymphoma, depend on the location of it. For example, a tumor formed near the salivary glands, during growth leads to deformation of the bones of the face and displacement of the nasal septum. Neoplasm in the intestine can provoke the development of intestinal obstruction. If the kidneys are affected, then gradual development of renal failure is not ruled out.

In any case, a rapidly growing tumor affects nearby organs, disrupts their normal functioning, and also contracts blood vessels and nerve endings.

How is Burkitt's lymphoma treated?

As a rule, a biopsy with a further histological examination of the tissues is needed to resolve the exact diagnosis. As for therapy, it depends on the severity of the disease, the size of the tumor and the rate of its growth.

In the initial stages, patients undergo chemotherapy. Since most often the disease is associated with a viral infection, they resort to immunomodulatory and antiviral therapy - patients are prescribed interferon in large doses. It is proved that taking this medication accelerates the healing process and enhances the effect of chemotherapy.

If the tumor is too large and poses a threat to the life of the patient (for example, lymphoma in the salivary glands is often transferred to the tissues of the pharynx and trachea), then a surgical operation is required to remove it. After that, chemotherapy and antiviral treatment are appointed, which help to destroy the remaining malignant cells and prevent the development of relapses.