Living with Burkitt lymphoma
A very fast-growing cancer of the immune system's B cells.
Understanding Burkitt lymphoma
Signs and symptoms vary with the form of BL and the organs involved. Lymphoma cells may build up in lymph nodes and other organs, causing swelling. When it spreads, weakness and fatigue often develop. The central nervous system can be involved, especially in advanced disease. It can happen at any age.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Swelling of lymph nodes
- Weakness and fatigue
- Tumor in the mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Swelling in other organs
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include blood and bone marrow specialists and cancer specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Blood and bone marrow specialists (hematologists); Cancer specialists (oncologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The exact cause is not known. EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) infection seems to play a role in some cases. Genetic changes in the MYC gene and others are present in the cancer cells, but it is unclear what causes them.
Also known as: bl; bl - burkitt's lymphoma; burkitt lymphoma, somatic; burkitt lymphoma/leukemia; burkitt's lymphoma; burkitt's lymphoma - disorder
Patient organizations
- Alex's Lemonade Stand FoundationBurkitt lymphoma · United States
- American Cancer SocietyBurkitt lymphoma · United States
- Blood Cancer UnitedBurkitt lymphoma · United States
- Burkitt's Lymphoma SocietyBurkitt lymphoma · United States
- HealthTree FoundationBurkitt lymphoma · United States
- Lymphoma Research FoundationBurkitt lymphoma · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Burkitt lymphoma.
Explore research for Burkitt lymphoma
Explore actively recruiting Burkitt lymphoma studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Burkitt lymphoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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