An update on Burkitt lymphoma: a review of pathogenesis and multimodality imaging assessment of disease presentation, treatment response, and recurrence

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Kevin Kalisz, Duke University; Francesco Alessandrino, Harvard Medical School; Rose Beck, Case Western Reserve University; Daniel Smith, Case Western Reserve University; Elias Kikano, Emory University; Nikhil H. Ramaiya, Case Western Reserve University; Sree Harsha Tirumani, Harvard Medical School
• Language: English
• Date: 2019-12-01
• Publisher: Springer
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s). 2019
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13244-019-0733-7
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Insights into Imaging
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 56
• End Page: 56
• Grant/Funding Information: The authors declare that this study has not received any funding.
• Keywords: Lymphoma; Drug therapy; B cell; Diagnostic imaging; Computed tomography; Burkitt lymphoma
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Oncology; Biology, Cell

Abstract

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a highly aggressive, rapidly growing B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which manifests in several subtypes including sporadic, endemic, and immunodeficiency-associated forms. Pathologically, BL is classically characterized by translocations of chromosomes 8 and 14 resulting in upregulation of the c-myc protein transcription factor with upregulation of cell proliferation. BL affects nearly every organ system, most commonly the abdomen and pelvis in the sporadic form. Imaging using a multimodality approach plays a crucial role in the management of BL from diagnosis, staging, and evaluation of treatment response to therapy-related complications with ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography playing roles. In this article, we review the pathobiology and classification of BL, illustrate a multimodality imaging approach in evaluating common and uncommon sites of involvement within the trunk and head and neck, and review common therapies and treatment-related complications.