Burkitt's lymphoma-a study of 50 consecutive cases

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study of Burkitt's lymphoma done over a period of 7 years is presented. The relative frequency of Burkitt's lymphoma as compared to other non-Hodgkin's lymphomas was 6.35%. Although Pakistan is non-endemic for Burkitt's lymphoma, but the frequency of the disease is higher than other non-endemic countries. There was male predominance [M F 2.31]. Majority of the cases were in pediatric age group and 12% were older than 35 years. The main clinical presentation was abdominal [42%], either in the intestinal tract [22%] or retroperitoneal [18%] region [American mode of presentation]. Jaw tumour [4%] [African mode] was rare. Sporadic cases at almost all sites were also encountered. Burkitt's lymphoma presenting as primary nodal disease was seen in 36% cases. Fifty-four percent showed bone marrow infiltration. The stage of the disease at diagnosis was advance in 54% cases. Follow-up of ten cases revealed poor survival inspite of treatment