Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a B-cell malignancy
which occurs with varying clinical manifestations and frequencies. The most
well-known presentation of BL is found in areas which are holoendemic or
hyperendemic for malaria. This endemic BL occurs primarily in children and
presents as tumors of the jaw.
Though a strong association exists between endemic BL
and malaria,
the nature of the relationship remains unclear. A sporadic form of BL also
occurs elsewhere in the world and typically causes tumors in the gut and upper
respiratory tract.
There are various other contributing factors
which may lead to development of BL, including Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). EBV has long been associated with
development of BL and is found in nearly all cases of endemic BL but, in spite
of intense research, the relationship between EBV and BL remains unclear. It is
generally believed that infection with EBV somehow drives transformation which
then leads to development of BL
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