Burkitt Lymphoma of the Duodenum: An Uncommon Phenomenon

Abstract

Burkitt lymphoma is an aggressively growing tumor commonly found in African children, involving the jaw and facial bones. Most non-Hodgkin lymphoma tumors involve extra nodal sites like the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. A rare variant of this type of lymphoma is found in immunocompromised patients specifically in the gastrointestinal tract with accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms. Burkitt lymphoma is a malignancy that has commonly presented in GI tract but rarely in the duodenum. This clinical variant can commonly involve stomach, ileum, and cecum. However, there is very limited data available regarding the duodenal growth of this tumor. Duodenal involvement of Burkitt lymphoma is extremely rare and accounts for < 1% of all lymphomas. We present a case report of an older patient with a duodenal Burkitt lymphoma diagnosed by biopsy. A high suspicion should be present while treating immunocompromised patients with chronic abdominal symptoms especially with complications such as bleeding or occult positive testing. Early endoscopy intervention with biopsy can help identity and treat these conditions with improved outcomes for the patients.

A Case of Multifocal Burkitt Lymphoma in an Immunocompromised Patient

“…Primary BL of the GI tract is very rare, and GI symptoms predominate in these patients [ 5 ]. Moreover, gastric, duodenal, and pancreatic involvement is much less common than intestinal involvement [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]. Pancreatic and duodenal involvement accounts for less than 1% of NHL tumor growth, even in secondary disease [ 1 , 3 ].…”

“…Moreover, gastric, duodenal, and pancreatic involvement is much less common than intestinal involvement [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]. Pancreatic and duodenal involvement accounts for less than 1% of NHL tumor growth, even in secondary disease [ 1 , 3 ]. The incidence of pancreatic involvement in BL specifically is not known because it is so rare, and the only literature is from pediatric cases [ 1 ].…”

“…B-cell malignancies are comprised of either extra-nodal marginal lymphoma, follicular lymphomas, mantle cell lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, or Burkitt lymphoma (BL) [ 2 ]. Of these, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common histological subtype, and only 1%-2% of NHL are BL [ 2 , 3 ]. BL is more common in Caucasians and more prevalent in males [ 4 ].…”

“…BL is more common in Caucasians and more prevalent in males [ 4 ]. It is the eighth most common cancer in men and the 11 th most common cancer in women, accounting for approximately 4% of all cancers [ 3 ].…”

A rare case of Burkitt's lymphoma of the duodenal bulb in a 9 year-old child - A case report and review of the literature

“…It is very aggressive and spreads rapidly. The most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma accounts for only about 1-2% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas [ [1] , [2] ]. Burkitt's lymphoma can cause compressive or obstructive symptoms, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, or even constipation, although the presence of Burkitt's lymphoma in the duodenum is very rare, and if it is present in the duodenum, it often appears in the second piece of it [ 3 ].…”