Pediatric nonendemic Burkitt's lymphoma of the head and neck

Burkitt's Lymphoma of the Base of the Tongue: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Burkitt's lymphoma is a highly aggressive, mature B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is rare outside Africa. We report a case of Burkitt's lymphoma presenting as a rapidly expanding tongue-base mass that caused airway obstruction in an 80-year-old Palestinian man living in California. According to our review of the literature, this is only the third reported case of Burkitt's lymphoma arising in the base of the tongue. We also discuss the incidence, epidemiology, genetics, prognosis, and treatment of this malignancy. Because Burkitt's lymphoma is one of the fastest-growing tumors in humans, rapid diagnosis and treatment are important. Treatment involves brief-duration, high-intensity chemotherapy and central nervous system prophylaxis. It is important for the otolaryngologist to recognize this disease and to understand the steps necessary to treat this aggressive tumor.

Recurrent syncope as presenting symptom of Burkitt's lymphoma at the carotid bifurcation

Burkitt's lymphoma is rare outside of Africa, and head and neck manifestations of this disease are even more uncommon. We report a case of Burkitt's lymphoma localized at the bifurcation of the right common carotid artery in a 64-year-old man. The presenting symptoms were recurrent syncopes that necessitated a pacemaker, followed by a rapid onset of cranial nerve palsies. The tumor had infiltrated cranial nerves IX, X, XI, and XII and was resected by selective neck dissection. The patient was subsequently treated with a chemotherapeutic regimen consisting of a combination of cytosine arabinoside, vincristine, ifosfamide, prednisone, and an intrathecal application of methotrexate. He also underwent external-beam irradiation of the neck. The patient has been followed up for a period of 42 months and has no evidence of recurrent disease. Repeated diagnostic testing and a coordination of multiple disciplines can speed diagnosis and therapeutic management. The current literature is reviewed and discussed.

Burkitt's lymphoma: historical background and recent insights into classification and pathogenesis

In this paper, the authors evaluate the historical evolution of the definition of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and of its clinicoepidemiological (endemic, sporadic, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated BL) and morphological variants. On the basis of the morphological, immunologic, genetic, and clinical characteristics of these tumors, the authors also emphasize the importance of precise disease definitions for biological and epidemiological studies. These principles were used in accordance with the Revised European-American classification of lymphoid neoplasms (REAL), which proposed that disease entities should be defined by a constellation of pathobiological and clinical features.