Surgical Reduction of Tumour Bulk in Management of Abdominal Burkitt's Lymphoma

Abstract

SummaryThe results of a retrospective study of the value of reductive surgery in the treatment of abdominal Burkitt's lymphoma are reported. Nine patients had almost complete removal of the tumour, 16 had little over half of the tumour removed, and 43 underwent biopsy only. All patients subsequently received chemotherapy. There was a highly significant difference in the proportion of patients achieving a sustained durable remission (P > 0-0001) and a significant difference in survival (P > 0 05) between the group having almost complete removal and the partial resection group. Partial resection gave no advantage over no surgery. We believe that whenever possible complete removal of the abdominal tumour should be attempted regardless of the presence of extra-abdominal tumour; but unless at least 90% of the tumour can be removed there is no advantage in partial resection in terms of response to subsequent chemotherapy. In particular the removal of one of two involved ovaries can no longer be recommended. The implications of these results are related to cancer treatment strategy.

A case of primary intestinal Burkitt-like lymphoma: Usefulness of sonographic diagnosis

“…[6][7][8] Some reports have suggested that surgical excision followed by chemotherapy is an effective treatment for patients with BLL. 6,9 Despite aggressive chemotherapy after surgery, our patient died 9 months later. Thus, a less invasive but equally informative imaging modality such as sonography would be desirable for evaluation of these entities at their initial appearance.…”

HIV-Related and Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Anal Burkitt's Lymphoma: Report of a Case

“…In addition, surgical reduction of the mass of the large abdominal BL before chemotherapy seems to improve survival rate. 24 In Butare the cost of a major operation is approximately $40 U.S. The cost of chemotherapy in combination with the obligatory antiretroviral therapy is over $1,000 U.S. For our farmer, like for most citizens of Rwanda for whom the average daily income is less than $1 U.S., chemotherapy and ART were not only unavailable but were also unaffordable.…”

Adult ileocolic intussusception caused by Burkitt lymphoma

“…It has been clearly shown that resection can safely be performed even in emergent situations without prior bowel preparation 15. Compromised blood supply is an additional reason to proceed directly with resection without any attempt at reduction.…”