Burkitt lymphoma
- Lesion
One of the fastest-growing human tumours: B cells driven by MYC, with a starry-sky pattern. It is curable with intensive treatment.
What it is
Burkitt lymphoma is a highly aggressive tumour of germinal centre-type B cells defined by translocations that put MYC under the control of an immunoglobulin locus. Three forms share the same histology: endemic (equatorial Africa, children, jaw and abdominal organs, nearly always EBV-positive), sporadic (children and young adults worldwide, ileocaecal and abdominal masses) and immunodeficiency-associated (often HIV). Almost every tumour cell is dividing, so masses grow in days.
Structure
- Diffuse sheets of medium-sized cells with round nuclei, several small nucleoli and deeply basophilic cytoplasm containing lipid vacuoles.
- Very high mitotic and apoptotic rates.
- Interspersed pale macrophages create the starry-sky appearance.
Step by step
- In a germinal centre B cell, AID-induced DNA breaks join MYC to an immunoglobulin locus.
- Immunoglobulin enhancers drive MYC to very high levels; point mutations further stabilize it.
- MYC switches on aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect) and biosynthesis, so cells grow and divide nonstop.
- Cooperating mutations (TCF3 pathway, cyclin D) sustain growth; EBV or HIV-related immune failure may help early on.
The three forms of Burkitt lymphoma
| Form | Who and where | EBV | Usual site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endemic | Children in malaria-endemic equatorial Africa | Almost always positive | Jaw, facial bones, abdominal organs |
| Sporadic | Children and young adults worldwide | Minority positive | Ileocaecum, peritoneum |
| Immunodeficiency-associated | People with HIV or other immunosuppression | Variable | Nodes, marrow, extranodal sites |
Markers
- CD20
- CD10
- BCL6
- BCL2 negative
- Ki-67 near 100%
- MYC
Clinical notes
- Rapid tumour growth causes tumour lysis syndrome once treatment starts.
- Intensive short-course chemotherapy cures most children and many adults.
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which gene is translocated in every Burkitt lymphoma?
MYC, usually joined to IGH in t(8;14).
What produces the starry-sky pattern?
Tingible-body macrophages that have engulfed apoptotic tumour cells, scattered among dark sheets of tumour cells.
Where does sporadic Burkitt lymphoma typically present?
As an ileocaecal or peritoneal mass.
Elsewhere in DurgiPedia
Connections
Educational content on the mechanisms of disease; not a diagnostic or treatment guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: Burkitt lymphoma: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version (National Cancer Institute (NCI), 2026).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.