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Burkitt lymphoma - Overview

Alternative Names

B-cell lymphoma; High-grade B-cell lymphoma

Definition of Burkitt lymphoma:

Burkitt lymphoma is a very fast growing form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Burkitt lymphoma was first discovered in children in certain parts of Africa, but it also occurs in the United States.

The African type of Burkitt lymphoma is closely associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the main cause of infectious mononucleosis. The North American form of Burkitt lymphoma is not linked to EBV.

Burkitt lymphoma is most often seen in males.

Lymphatic system

Lymphoma, malignant - CT scan

Reviewed last on: 9/6/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Bierman PJ, Harris N, Armitage JO. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 196.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. v.1.2010.

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