Clinical and epidemiological features of Berkitt's lymphoma

Aim. To characterize clinical and epidemiological features of adult Berkitt's lymphoma (BL). Material and methods. The trial enrolled 72 patients (51 males and 21 females, age 14-69, mean age 27 years) treated in 1995-2008. Results. Stage I BL (by S.B. Murphy) was diagnosed in 5 patients, stage II - in 9, stage III - in 25, IV - in 14 patients, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (L3) - in 19 patients. Intoxication was seen in 56(78%) patients, 38% patients had severe cachexia. Elevated concentration of lactatedehydrogenase (LDG) was detected in 57(79%) patients. In all the cases clinical symptoms developed for 1-3 months, median 6 weeks. Bone marrow involvement was diagnosed in 22 (31%) patients, CNS was affected in 17(24%) patients, of them 14 were males. Fifty two (72%) patients had abdominal, retroperitoneal and/or small pelvis tumors. Intestinal, hepatic, renal and gastric tumors occurred most frequently. Specific ascitis was detected in 25(48%), tumor pleuritis - in 11(15%) patients. BL of the facial skeleton, Waldeyer's ring, oro- and nasopharynx was in 12(17%) patients. Seven patients had concomitant involvement of the CNS. Eight (38%) and 2(10%) women had tumors of the ovaries and uterus, respectively. Conclusion. BL is characterized by the following clinical features: young age of the patients, most of them are males, B-symptoms, short history, generalized stages, extranodal lesions, frequent involvement of the bone marrow and CNS.