A Case of Small Intestinal Burkitt's Lymphoma in an Adult / 대한소화기내시경학회지

ABSTRACT

Burkitt's lymphoma is a rare disease that belongs to the aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Burkitt's lymphoma usually occurs in children or younger persons. There is a strong association between endemic Burkitt's lymphoma and Epstein-Barr virus, whereas the association is weaker in the sporadic form occurring in Western countries. Burkitt's lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract occurring in adults has not been reported in Korea. We herein report an unusual case of Burkitt's lymphoma presenting with a palpable abdominal mass in a 52-year-old man infected with Epstein-Barr virus. A computed tomographic scan showed marked low density wall thickening of the terminal ileum. An endoscopy revealed a narrow lumen, shallow ulcerations, and irregular nodularity of the terminal ileum. Small bowel resection and hemicolectomy were performed and a histologic examination of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis. Six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy were given and the patient has been doing well without evidence of recurrence.