Cancer Lymphoma How Burkitt Lymphoma Is Treated By Steph Coelho Steph Coelho Twitter Steph Coelho is a freelance health writer, web producer, and editor based in Montreal. She specializes in covering general wellness and chronic illness. Learn about our editorial process Published on October 20, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Douglas A. Nelson, MD Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD LinkedIn Douglas A. Nelson, MD, is a board-certified oncologist and hematologist who previously served for 13 years as a physician in the US Air Force. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Surgeries and Procedures OTC and Alternative Burkitt lymphoma is an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It affects white blood cells called lymphocytes and other parts of the body apart from the lymphatic system. It commonly is seen in children. Although this type of cancer is aggressive, treatment options exist, and in many cases, it’s curable. When caught early in children, the prognosis is usually good. Because it advances so rapidly, doctors typically use intensive therapies to treat Burkitt lymphoma. FatCamera / E+ / Getty Images Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures Doctors typically use intensive chemotherapy to treat Burkitt lymphoma. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy drugs are usually administered intravenously. However, some drugs are taken orally. With regional chemotherapy, drugs are delivered directly into the body at the site where the cancer cells are located. In children, chemotherapy for Burkitt lymphoma often has a good outcome. However, the situation is different in older adults. Older people with Burkitt lymphoma often have a poor prognosis. Chemotherapy is usually the first-line treatment in children with Burkitt lymphoma. The treatment period can last up to six months. But in children, the typical treatment length is about nine weeks. In later-stage Burkitt lymphoma, doctors use more intensive chemotherapy and may inject it into the spinal fluid. Staging and Treatment Staging determines how far cancer has spread. This is used to guide treatment decisions.In children, doctors use the International Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Staging System (IPNHLSS), based on where the lymphoma is located, such as in lymph nodes, outside of lymph nodes, or in multiple areas. Stages 1 and 2 are considered limited-stage and treated similarly. Stages 3 and 4 are advanced-stage and treated similarly.In adults, the Lugano classification staging system is used. It is also based on the locations affected by the lymphoma and has stages 1 through 6. Doctors often combine chemotherapy with a monoclonal antibody drug called Rituxan (rituximab). It targets B cell lymphocytes (the cells that are cancerous in Burkitt lymphoma) and leads to their destruction. Studies show that giving Rituxan to patients before chemotherapy significantly improves chemotherapy success rates and five-year survival rates. The combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy is called chemoimmunotherapy. However, while intensive therapy is relatively well-tolerated by children with Burkitt lymphoma, it’s highly toxic when used to treat adults. Research from 2020 suggests that an alternative to intensive chemotherapy called dose-adjusted (DA) EPOCH-R is very effective for adults with Burkitt lymphoma. It’s also better tolerated. Treatment in Developing Countries The most common type of Burkitt lymphoma is seen in Africa. It should be noted that the cure rate for this type of cancer is much lower in developing countries. Depending on the treatment prescribed by your doctor, you will either receive treatment at the hospital or at home via a special pump. In most cases, a central line is inserted to prevent repeated needle jabs. Clinical trials with different chemotherapy drugs and other therapies are ongoing, especially for nonresponsive and relapsed cases. Chemotherapy Side Effects Because chemotherapy affects both healthy and cancerous cells, it can cause a host of side effects, including: Hair lossInfectionFatigueConstipation or diarrheaAnemia (lack of healthy red blood cells)Easy bruising Appetite changesMouth sores and trouble swallowingNausea and vomitingWeight changesMood changesFertility issuesUrine, bladder, and kidney issuesSkin changes and nail changesNeuropathyDifficulty with concentrationChange in libido Chemotherapy Side Effects: What to Expect Surgery When Burkitt lymphoma is still in the early stages, doctors may recommend surgery in addition to chemotherapy and treatment with rituximab if the tumor is localized. Bone Marrow Transplant In some cases, when a person doesn’t respond to chemotherapy, doctors may suggest a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant. Doctors may also recommend this treatment option for people whose Burkitt lymphoma comes back. In a bone marrow transplant, stem cells are harvested from either the bone marrow, peripheral blood, or a newborn's umbilical blood. They may come from a donor that is matched to the recipient (allogeneic transplant) or from the recipient (autologous transplant). The recipient is treated to eliminate cancerous cells and the stem cells are then infused into the bloodstream, where they migrate to the bone marrow. Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Alternative Therapies You can’t treat cancer with OTC treatments or home remedies. Deciding whether to use supplements or try alternative therapies is your personal choice. In some cases, your cancer care team might recommend some natural or OTC treatments for the side effects of chemotherapy. Keep in mind that some supplements and herbal remedies can interact with the medications you are taking. Talk with your doctor before adding these to your diet. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) shouldn’t be used instead of traditional cancer treatments. However, some people find them helpful for dealing with their symptoms of treatment side effects. Summary Burkitt lymphoma is a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that advances aggressively. Regardless of the stage at diagnosis, this type of cancer is typically treated with intensive chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies. In some cases, doctors will perform surgery to remove a localized tumor. In later-stage Burkitt lymphoma, a bone marrow transplant may take place. A Word From Verywell Despite being an aggressive type of cancer, treatments are available for Burkitt lymphoma. Treatment will depend on the stage of the cancer and how old you are. Younger people usually respond better to intensive chemotherapy treatments than older adults, for example. Talk to your oncologist about your treatment options and the potential side effects of chemotherapy. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 13 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Dozzo M, Carobolante F, Donisi PM, et al. Burkitt lymphoma in adolescents and young adults: management challenges. Adolesc Health Med Ther. 2017;8:11-29. doi:10.2147/AHMT.S94170 Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. Burkitt lymphoma. Molyneux EM, Rochford R, Griffin B, et al. Burkitt’s lymphoma. Lancet. 2012;379(9822):1234-1244. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61177-X American Cancer Society. Treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children, by type and stage. American Cancer Society. Stages of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children. American Cancer Society. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma stages. Roschewski M, Dunleavy K, Abramson JS, et. al. Multicenter study of risk-adapted therapy with dose-adjusted EPOCH-R in adults with untreated Burkitt lymphoma. J Clin Oncol. 2020 Aug 1;38(22):2519-2529. doi:10.1200/JCO.20.00303 Ozuah NW, Lubega J, Allen CE, El-Mallawany NK. Five decades of low intensity and low survival: adapting intensified regimens to cure pediatric Burkitt lymphoma in Africa. Blood Adv. 2020 Aug 25;4(16):4007-4019. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002178 Lymphoma Action. Burkitt lymphoma. Lymphoma Research Foundation. Burkitt lymphoma: Treatment options. American Cancer Society. Chemotherapy side effects. MedlinePlus. Burkitt lymphoma. American Cancer Society. What are the risks of not using mainstream cancer treatment.