Foreword for Burkitt lymphoma special issue

Abstract

On 23 and 24 June 2011 a symposium entitled, Denis Parsons Burkitt (1911–1993) Irish by birth, Trinity by the grace of God – A life celebrated, was held in Dublin to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the birth of Denis Parsons Burkitt, one of the great physician scientists of the twentieth century who had a tremendous ability to turn simple clinical observation into major scientific discovery. We were fortunate, not only to be hosting his centenary at the University of Dublin, Trinity College, where he graduated in medicine in 1935 but also because the symposium was part of the School of Medicine Tercentenary celebrations. The symposium functioned as an exclusive forum for the family and friends of Denis, together with international experts who shared and compared experiences in relation to the lymphoma that is named after him. With this in mind, the first day of the conference focused mainly on Denis, the man, physician scientist and his main legacy, the discovery and early treatment strategies of the commonest cancer in sub-Saharan African children. The second day focused on recent developments in term of diagnostics, prognostic markers, risk-stratification methodologies and clinical trial outcomes. The molecular pathobiology of Burkitt lymphoma was addressed by some of the world's leading experts and true clinical discussion between practicing physicans and researchers on unresolved issues followed. At the end of the second day, participants had the advantage of discussing and debating the unresolved issues, especially those most relevant in third world countries. During the symposium there was, for the first time, an exhibition of a selection of key artefacts that were pivitol in nailing down the association of lymphoma incidence and geography. The programme provided a meaningful platform, providing up-to-date informationfor basic/translational science researchers and clinical haemato-oncologists, nurses and students alike. The majority of the contributions that were delivered to celebrate the life of Denis Parsons Burkitt (1911–1993) in the beautiful environs of Trinity College in June 2011 are contained within this themed edition of the British Journal of Haematology.