How is Burkitt's lymphoma treated? Causes and symptoms of the disease

Most often Burkitt's lymphoma is diagnosed inpeople living in the territory of Oceania and Africa. Only recently have single cases of such a disease been registered in the US and Europe. Fortunately, in the early stages, the disease is most likely to be treated.

Causes of Lymphoma

Burkitt's lymphoma is aa malignant tumor prone to rapid aggressive growth. The appearance of such a neoplasm is the result of malignant degeneration of B-lymphocytes.

Until recently, Burkitt's lymphoma was associated withexposure to the body of radiation and dangerous carcinogenic substances. However, recent studies have shown that malignant degeneration in this case is associated with viral activity. For most of the patients with this tumor, the Epstein-Barr virus was found in the body. It is believed that after binding of the virus particle to the lymphocyte, its uncontrolled division is possible - thus a tumor is formed.

Most often, Burkitt's lymphoma is diagnosed in children between the ages of three and seven. Nevertheless, the development of the disease is not ruled out and in a more mature age.

Burkitt's lymphoma: symptoms

According to statistics, in about 30% of casesthe tumor affects the intestine. Often, lymphoma is formed in the kidneys, ovaries, testicles, stomach, pancreas, adrenal glands, and jaw. Much less often with an ailment, the salivary glands and the thyroid gland suffer.

Malignant cell degeneration begins inlymph node. At this stage, signs of lymphoma resemble a cold. Patients complain of chills, fever, an increase in lymph nodes. Only after this begins rapid growth neoplasm.

Symptoms that accompany Burkitt's lymphoma,depend on the location of its location. For example, a tumor formed near the salivary glands, during growth leads to deformation of the bones of the face and displacement of the nasal septum. Neoplasm in the intestine can provoke the development of intestinal obstruction. If the kidneys are affected, then gradual development of renal failure is not ruled out.

In any case, a rapidly growing tumor affects nearby organs, disrupts their normal functioning, and also compresses blood vessels and nerve endings.

How is Burkitt's lymphoma treated?

As a rule, for the decision of the exact diagnosisa biopsy with further histological examination of the tissues is necessary. As for therapy, it depends on the severity of the disease, the size of the tumor and the rate of its growth.

At the initial stages, patients arechemotherapy. Since most often the disease is associated with a viral infection, they resort to immunomodulatory and antiviral therapy - patients are prescribed interferon in large doses. It is proven that taking such a drug speeds up the healing process and enhances the effect of chemotherapy.

If the tumor is too large andis a threat to the life of the patient (for example, lymphoma in the salivary glands is often transferred to the tissues of the pharynx and trachea), then a surgical operation is required to remove it. After that, chemotherapy and antiviral treatment are appointed, which help to destroy the remaining malignant cells and prevent the development of relapses.