Diagnose Burkitt Lymphoma
Burkitt lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects type B lymphocytes. It usually occurs in children and is one of the fastest growing malignant tumors in humans. There are two major forms of Burkitt lymphoma, endemic and non-endemic. The endemic form generally affects the mandible or maxilla and the non-endemic form usually involves the abdominal organs. The following steps will show diagnose Burkitt lymphoma.
Instructions
1. Observe loosening teeth, a swelling jaw or other facial bones and swelling lymph nodes in the case of endemic Burkitt lymphoma.
2. Expect the non-endemic form to cause abdominal swelling and pain because of the growing tumor. In some cases, bowel blockage also may occur.
3. Obtain a sample of bone marrow through aspiration or effusion. Burkitt lymphoma frequently involves the bone marrow and this may provide a diagnosis without the need for a lymph node biopsy.
4. Select the most suspicious lymph nodes or other tissue for excision instead of frozen sections or needle biopsies. This is essential in diagnosing Burkitt lymphoma and must be done quickly because it grows so rapidly.
5. Make a diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma based on microscopic examination of the biopsy. A "starry sky" appearance may be produced by scattered macrophages containing cell debris, and mitotic figures can usually be seen. Burkitt cells have round or oval nuclei with slightly coarse chromatin. The cytoplasm contains neutral fat and is intensely basophilic and vacuolated.
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