OnCo
cancersCancer

Burkitt lymphoma

aka Burkitt lymphoma/leukaemia, Endemic Burkitt lymphoma, Sporadic Burkitt lymphoma, Immunodeficiency-associated Burkitt lymphoma

Burkitt lymphoma is the fastest-growing human tumour, driven by a single rearrangement that switches on the MYC gene. That speed makes it exquisitely sensitive to chemotherapy: short, intense courses, now with the antibody rituximab, cure the great majority of children in well-resourced settings. The remaining task is to bring the same cure to the African children who make up most cases.