Burkitt's Lymphoma In Children - Stages Of Lymphomas

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Burkitt's lymphoma in children

Burkitt's lymphoma is a malignant tumor, belongs to the type of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, very dangerous. It develops from B-lymphocytes, spreads beyond the boundaries of the lymphatic system, involving the bone marrow, blood and cerebrospinal fluid in the pathological process, etc. Its development becomes possible due to the Epstein-Barr virus. Without proper and timely treatment, Burkitt's lymphoma develops rapidly and is fatal.

Burkitt's lymphoma affects the body at any age, but most often it manifests itself in childhood, in young people, especially boys and men are susceptible to this disease. There are known cases of its development in AIDS patients. Unlike other types of this disease, Burkitt's lymphoma occurs in regions of Central Africa, sometimes in the United States, and much less frequently in Russia.

The causative agent of the disease, the Epstein-Barr virus, causes infectious mononucleosis. The disease cannot be transmitted from person to person, but all the same, in small quantities, is transmitted through saliva. Lymphoma develops in those who initially had mononucleosis and are carriers of the Epstein-Barr virus. The causes of lymphoma remain unknown.

Possible factors include exposure to ionizing radiation, carcinogenic substances, and disturbance of normal environmental conditions. Lymphoma cells, accumulating in multiple numbers in the lymph nodes and organs of the peritoneal space, cause their increase. They are able to penetrate the small intestine, create intestinal obstruction and provoke bleeding. May cause swelling of the jaw and neck.

Burkitt's lymphoma affects the kidneys, ovaries, lymph nodes in the retroperitoneal region, jaw, adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. In Burkitt's lymphoma, immature lymphoid cells are present in the tumor. Under a microscope, in lymphoblasts (lymphoid cells), it is seen how chromatin is distributed in the nucleus in the form of small grains. With Burkitt's lymphoma, soft tissues, bones are destroyed, the nose and jaws are deformed, patients lose their teeth, they have difficulty breathing and swallowing function. The consequences of the disease are general toxic syndrome, fever, fractures of the bones of the hips and pelvis, paresis, paralysis. There is the so-called abdominal form, which occurs with lesions of the pancreas, liver, intestines, ovaries, kidneys and the presence of infiltrates containing tumor lymphoid cells.

At the same time, abdominal pain, frustration, jaundice and much more appear. The Epstein-Barr virus provokes the development of nasopharynzeal carcinoma - a malignant tumor located on the lateral side of the nasal cavity or in the region of the middle nasal passage. It quickly grows into the nasopharynx and spreads metastases to the submandibular lymph nodes, disrupting nasal breathing. The tumor is similar to a polyp, its development is accompanied by mucopurulent discharge from the nose, mixed with blood.

At the same time, hearing is impaired, tinnitus, pain in the temporal region worries. The virus in combination with disorders of the immune system causes the development of leukoplakia of the mucous membranes of the tongue, oral cavity. A burning sensation, numbness appears, taste sensations are disturbed.

Stages of Burkitt's lymphoma

The prevalence of the disease is classified by stages:

• Stage I - the lymphoma process affects one area of the lymph nodes;
• Stage II - two or more areas of the lymph nodes on one side of the diaphragm are affected;
• Stage III - the lymphoma process affects the lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm;
• Stage IV - involvement in the tumor process not only of the lymph nodes, but also of the internal organs;

Stages I and II are local or limited, stages III and IV are common.

The letter classifications A and B are used. If symptoms such as fever, nighttime excessive sweating and weight loss are present, the stage is indicated by the letter B, if there are no symptoms, the letter A.

Burkitt's lymphoma treatment

In the treatment of such oncology, chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide is used. Depending on the type of Burkitt's lymphoma, a special treatment regimen is prescribed.

Cyclophosphamide is administered intravenously. The therapeutic effect is exerted by the introduction of intravenous embihin, a short-term relief of the condition is observed from taking vincristine, sarcolysin, methotrexate. The complex of therapeutic measures is supplemented by the use of immunomodulators, antiviral drugs.

Unfortunately, stage 4 lymphoma is very common, and because of an advanced disease, the likelihood of recovery is reduced. Thanks to today's advances in medicine, the treatment of this disease is quite successful, allowing a 5-year remission to be achieved. Due attention to the health of adults and children, a healthy lifestyle, planning preventive medical examinations are the key to a happy life without diseases.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".