Abstract
Burkitt lymphoma, a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, appears especially in small ages and it presents the most rapid tumor growth encountered in the human beings. We present the case of a 5 year-old child who presents diffuse, abdominal pain, abdominal distension and decreased consistency stools, and who is transferred in the Pediatrics Clinic 1 Targu-Mures, with the diagnosis of severe malnutrition and hypoproteinemia edema of unknown etiology. The laboratory investigations performed showed leukocytosis, mildly increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, decreased level of serum proteins, and also an increased level of LDH. The abdominal ultrasound revealed intraperitoneal fluid, and the abdominal CT exam showed free fluid between the intestinal loops, 2 fistulas, one between the duodenum and the colon, and the other one between the jejunum and the colon, but also enlarged lymph nodes. The surprise during the surgery is the discovery of a tumor mass which involves the duodenum, the jejunum and the colon, and the pathological exam establishes the diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma, extra nodal type, with evolution after surgery burdened by multiple complications. After the third surgical intervention, the chemotherapy is initiated. Even though in some cases, the clinical picture is not suggestive for the severity of the pathology, the clinician’s perseverance is the one that finally leads to the establishment of the diagnosis.
Highlights
Burkitt lymphoma is a type of B cells nonHodgkin lymphoma, with an incidence of approximately 5%, which was described for the first time in children from Africa between the years 19581962 [1]
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most frequent malignant tumor of the bowel, which affects the children over the age of 5, whose etiology was initially related with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection [2,3]
We present the case of a 5 year-old boy, known from birth with a brachial plexus paresis of obstetrical etiology, with personal history of epilepsy diagnosed at the age of 3 years, under antiepileptic treatment, who from approximately half a year presents modified consistency stools, even diarrheic, and abdominal pain
Summary
Burkitt lymphoma is a type of B cells nonHodgkin lymphoma, with an incidence of approximately 5%, which was described for the first time in children from Africa between the years 19581962 [1]. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most frequent malignant tumor of the bowel, which affects the children over the age of 5, whose etiology was initially related with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection [2,3]. In case of a Burkitt lymphoma suspicion, especially in developing countries, it is mandatory for the physician to perform an abdominal ultrasound or a CT exam, that can establish the possible malignant character of the tumor [6,7]. Due to the very fast growth and to the high degree of malignancy of this type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in the lack of early treatment or diagnosis, these patients die very quickly because of the tumor spread-. The intensive chemotherapy can be combined with Rituximab (monoclonal antibody), radiotherapy, stem cells autologous transplantation or steroids therapy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
