Burkitt Lymphoma
This is endemic Burkitt lymphoma, linked to Epstein-Barr virus and chronic malaria.
Burkitt Lymphoma
- Burkitt lymphoma is among the fastest-growing human neoplasms , yet with very aggressive chemotherapy, the majority of patients can be cured. It primarily affects children and young adults. Accounts for ~30% of childhood NHLs in the United
- Endemic (African) form — commonly presents as maxillary or mandibular jaw masses; strongly EBV-associated
- Sporadic form — abdominal tumours involving bowel, retroperitoneum, and ovaries; EBV association weaker
- Leukaemic presentation occurs but must be distinguished from ALL (treated with different drug regimens)
Read this in White Cell Disorders — Must-Know Notes
Burkitt Lymphoma (×2)
- Q: Most likely diagnosis — rapidly growing jaw mass in a 6-year-old Kenyan child?
- Highly aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Classically presents as rapidly growing jaw/facial bone tumour in children from equatorial Africa
- Q: Primary infectious cause/risk factor?
- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) — present in nearly 100% of endemic cases
Read this in Pathology Spot Exam Revision: Lymphoma, Adenoma, Appendicitis, FISH
What our notes say
- This is endemic Burkitt lymphoma, linked to Epstein-Barr virus and chronic malaria. (Paediatrics end of fourth year main exam: 1 July 2019, Paper One, 99 of 100 MCQs)
- Although Burkitt lymphoma is one of the fastest growing neoplasms, half of cases do respond to chemotherapy with long-term survival. (hematopathology — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Burkitt's lymphoma is associated with the proliferation of: (Medical MCQs: Chemical Pathology & Haematology Exam Review)
- *Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (EBV-associated) is classically prevalent in equatorial African children, including Kenya, linked to malaria co-endemicity.* (Oncopathology MCQs: Test Your Knowledge on Cancer Pathology)
- Describe laboratory investigations needed to diagnose Burkitt lymphoma. (HEMATOLOGY EOY 2025 — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Burkitt lymphoma — t(8;14) → c-MYC overexpression, EBV-associated (endemic African form), "starry sky" pattern (macrophages engulfing apoptotic tumour cells amid sheets of lymphocytes) (Ovarian & Colorectal Cancer: Risks, Pathogenesis, Staging)
Study material on Burkitt Lymphoma
- hematopathology
- Haematology End of Year 2025 Past Paper — MKU MBML 3200 Questions & Answers
- Haematology Exam 2025: MCQs on Anaemia, Leukaemia & Clotting
- Lymphoma Overview and Classification
- Hematology MCQs
- Here are all 45 questions, complete with full stems, choices, and answers.
- HEMATOLOGY EOY 2025
Practice questions on Burkitt Lymphoma
Which oncogene is overexpressed in virtually all cases of Burkitt lymphoma?
- BCL-2
- ALK
- MYC
- Cyclin D1
Answer: C. t(8;14) translocates MYC to the Ig heavy-chain locus → constitutive MYC expression during phases it should be OFF → uncontrolled proliferation. ---
Which oncogene is overexpressed in virtually all cases of Burkitt lymphoma?
- BCL-2
- MYC
- Cyclin D1
- BCL-6
Answer: B. Burkitt lymphoma is characterized by translocations (most commonly t(8;14)) that result in the overexpression of the MYC oncogene. ---
Burkitt lymphoma is associated with which translocation causing MYC overexpression?
- t(14;18)
- t(8;14)
- t(11;14)
- t(9;22)
Answer: B. t(8;14) places the MYC oncogene under control of the IGH enhancer, driving rapid B-cell proliferation in Burkitt lymphoma. ---
The human virus that has been associated with Burkitt's lymphoma (a malignant tumor of the jaw) is
- Cytomegalovirus
- Human papilloma virus (HPV)
- Retroviruses
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Enterovirus
Answer: D. EBV is strongly associated with Burkitt's lymphoma — a B-cell malignancy classically presenting as a jaw tumor in African children. EBV immortalizes B lymphocytes. It is also associated with infectious mononucleosis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and Hodgkin's lymphoma. ---
Both Burkitt's lymphoma and infectious mononucleosis are caused by what virus?
- Cytomegalovirus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Varicella-zoster virus
- Herpes simplex-1
Answer: B. EBV causes both infectious mononucleosis (kissing disease) and Burkitt's lymphoma (malignant B-cell tumor). Both involve B-lymphocyte tropism. EBV also causes nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. ---
Which chromosomal translocation is diagnostic of Burkitt lymphoma?
- t(8;14)
- t(14;18)
- t(11;14)
- inv(11)
Answer: A. This translocation juxtaposes the MYC oncogene with the immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer, driving the characteristic Burkitt lymphoma phenotype. ---