ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Burkitt Lymphoma

What is burkitt lymphoma?

3 December 2025

Burkitt lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic tissue. It’s characterized by the aggressive and rapid growth of B lymphocytes, which are cells that produce antibodies and are part of the immune system. These cells develop from stem cells in the bone marrow.

Burkitt lymphoma affects both children and adults, as well as people with HIV/AIDS, who are at a higher risk of developing it.

It’s classified into three types:

  • Endemic: This type is related to infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, one of the human herpes viruses that causes infectious mononucleosis.
  • Sporadic: This usually forms in the abdominal area and can cause intestinal obstruction.
  • Immunodeficiency-related lymphoma: This refers to non-Hodgkin lymphomas in patients with HIV.

Signs and symptoms Burkitt Lymphoma

The symptoms depend on the type of Burkitt lymphoma, but they typically include:

  • Enlarged liver
  • Enlarged spleen
  • Weight loss
  • Weakness
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the head and neck, as well as in other organs
  • Paralysis
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • High temperature or fever
  • Excessive night sweats
  • Tumors in the abdomen, brain, and jaw

Diagnosis and treatment Burkitt Lymphoma

A specialist will analyze your symptoms and medical history, perform a physical exam, and order various tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as:

  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
  • Bone marrow or lymph node biopsy
  • Blood tests
  • Chest X-ray
  • CT scan of the abdomen, chest, and pelvis

The treatment for Burkitt lymphoma mainly includes:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Bone marrow transplant

Since its opening in 2009, our Cancer Center has offered chemotherapy and radiation treatments that are on par with the best medical centers in the world. We provide an integrated care model for our oncology patients.

Related centers and departments Burkitt Lymphoma

Cancer Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • cancer.org
  • cancer.net
  • cancer.gov
  • elsevier.es
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • nicklauschildrens.org
  • redalyc.org
  • medigraphic.com
  • De la Guardia POM, Machín GS, Arce HA, et al. Linfoma de Burkitt como complicación de la agammaglobulinemia de Bruton. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter. 2021;37(4):1-12.
  • Aguilar-Torres CR, Márquez-Ramírez YA, Mariñelarena-Carrillo EO, et al. Linfoma de Burkitt en la mama durante el embarazo: reporte de un caso. Ginecol Obstet Mex. 2021;89(08):647-654.
  • Valdés DKC, Valdés LL, Santos PLA. Linfoma de Burkitt en paciente adulto inmunocompetente que se presenta como rotura esplénica espontánea. Medicentro. 2020;24(4):850-859.

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