Burkitt's lymphoma is a highly aggressive
lymphoma identified and described in the last century by Denis Burkitt in Africa, in areas endemic for
malaria. Since its description in African children, it has been recognized outside areas with endemic
malaria, frequently also in children as well as among individuals with an underlying immunodeficiency. Since its initial designation as
Burkitt's lymphoma, this type of
lymphoma and
lymphomas closely resembling it have received a variety of names in different classifications of
lymphomas and
leukemias:
undifferentiated lymphoma, Burkitt's and non-Burkitt's type in the modified Rappaport Classification,
malignant lymphoma, small non-cleaved cell, Burkitt's type in the Working Formulation,
Burkitt's lymphoma and high-grade
B-cell lymphoma, Burkitt-like in the REAL Classification, and
acute lymphoblastic leukemia, L3 type in the FAB Classification. With the publication of the WHO Classification of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid
Tumors, the nomenclature of this
lymphoma has come full circle, and it is once again known simply as
Burkitt's lymphoma. In recent years, efforts have focused on improving
therapy for this rapidly proliferating
neoplasm while minimizing, to the extent possible, treatment-associated toxicity. These efforts have led to the development of high-intensity, short-duration
combination chemotherapy that has proven extremely effective for a high proportion of
Burkitt's lymphoma patients. The differential diagnosis of
Burkitt's lymphoma is broad, and precise diagnosis based on histologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic features remains the critical first step in planning appropriate
therapy.