ePrints

Burkitt's lymphoma

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Graham Jackson, Professor Christine Harrison FRCPath FMedSci, Professor Simon BaileyORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

Burkitt's lymphoma is a highly aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is the fastest growing human tumour. The disease is associated with Epstein-Barr virus and was one of the first tumours shown to have a chromosomal translocation that activates an oncogene (c-MYC). Burkitt's lymphoma is the most common childhood cancer in areas where malaria is holoendemic. The incidence is very high in immunosuppressed patients in non-endemic areas, especially when associated with HIV infection. Outcome with intensive chemotherapy has improved and is now excellent in children, but the prognosis is poor in elderly adults. The success of intensive treatment relies on good supportive care. The therapy offered in oncology units in low-income countries is not as aggressive as in centres in high-income countries and outcomes are less successful. Adjuvant monoclonal antibody therapy with rituximab shows promise for improved outcomes and reduced toxic effects in the future.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Molyneux EM, Rochford R, Griffin B, Newton R, Jackson G, Menon G, Harrison CJ, Israels T, Bailey S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Lancet

Year: 2012

Volume: 379

Issue: 9822

Pages: 1234-1244

Print publication date: 12/02/2012

ISSN (print): 0140-6736

ISSN (electronic): 1474-547X

Publisher: The Lancet Publishing Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61177-X

DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61177-X

Altmetrics

Funding

Share