Burkitt Lymphoma: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick answer
Burkitt lymphoma is a fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that starts in B cells and can form tumors in lymph nodes, the jaw, intestines and other areas. Signs include a fast-growing lump, painless swelling, fever, night sweats and weight loss. Fast-growing tumors need urgent evaluation. Treatment usually combines chemotherapy medicines, sometimes with immunotherapy. [1]
What the research says
According to PubMed:
Adding rituximab to chemotherapy was linked with better outcomes in children. In a retrospective study of 456 children with Burkitt lymphoma treated with the FAB/LMB96 regimen, 3-year overall survival was 92% and event-free survival was 91.3%. Three-year event-free survival was 83.5% with chemotherapy alone versus 93% with six rituximab doses and 92.9% with four doses (P = 0.025), with no significant difference between four and six doses. (Huang et al., DOI) [6]
Outcomes are lower when the central nervous system is involved. In a retrospective study of 78 children with central nervous system-positive Burkitt lymphoma treated with a modified FAB/LMB96 regimen with or without rituximab, 3-year overall survival was 78.9% and event-free survival was 71.4%. Chemotherapy without rituximab was one of the independent risk factors. (Huang et al., DOI) [7]
Long-term survival is high in children with modern regimens. A single-center review of 82 children and adolescents with aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma (61% Burkitt lymphoma) found 5-year overall survival of 92.5% and event-free survival of 85.7%, with event-free survival of 90.0% in Burkitt lymphoma. (Jeon et al., DOI) [8]
Study details are from PubMed abstracts.
What is Burkitt lymphoma?
Burkitt lymphoma (BER-kit lim-FOE-muh) is a type of lymphoma. Lymphoma is cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of organs, glands, tube-like vessels, and clusters of cells called lymph nodes. It is part of the body's germ-fighting immune system. [1]
There are many types of lymphoma. Lymphoma types are often divided into two broad categories: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Burkitt lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma [1], and it is one of the most aggressive forms.
The cancer starts in a type of germ-fighting white blood cell called a B cell, also called a B lymphocyte. In Burkitt lymphoma, changes happen that turn these B cells into cancer cells. The cancer cells can grow in the lymph nodes, the jaw or other bones in the face, parts of the intestines, the bone marrow, the central nervous system, and other areas of the body. [1]
The good news: although Burkitt lymphoma is an aggressive cancer, it may be cured when diagnosed and treated right away. [1] Speed matters more than almost anything else.
If the disease is found in the blood and bone marrow, it may be called Burkitt leukemia. [1]
Key facts at a glance
Question | Answer |
What is it? | An aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma starting in B cells (white blood cells) |
Who gets it? | Most common in children, especially boys; can affect adults too |
Where does it grow? | Lymph nodes, jaw or facial bones, intestines, bone marrow, central nervous system |
How fast does it grow? | Very fast; one of the fastest-growing human cancers |
Can it be cured? | Yes, often, when diagnosed and treated right away |
Typical first treatment | Combination chemotherapy, often with immunotherapy |
Survival when treated promptly | Often above 90% in children; 50% to 90% in adults, depending on health |
What are the three types of Burkitt lymphoma?
Doctors group Burkitt lymphoma into three types based on where it occurs and who it affects. The type helps the care team plan treatment.
Type | Where it's common | Who it affects most | Key features |
Endemic | Africa, New Guinea, parts of South America | Children, especially boys | Nearly everyone also has Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); tumors often in the jaw, facial bones, or eye area; may also affect the thyroid, kidneys, and ovaries |
Sporadic | United States and parts of Europe | Children, especially boys | Usually involves the ileocecal region, where the small and large intestine meet; may also involve lymph nodes, central nervous system, ovaries, kidneys, and breasts; most cases are not linked to EBV |
Immunodeficiency-associated | Worldwide | People with weakened immune systems (HIV infection or immunosuppressants after organ transplant) | Mostly in the lymph nodes; can also affect the bone marrow and central nervous system |
Children are the group most affected by the endemic and sporadic types. [1] Adults are more often affected by the immunodeficiency-associated type, especially those living with HIV or taking immunosuppressant medicines after an organ transplant.
What are the symptoms and signs of Burkitt lymphoma?
The symptoms depend on where the cancer is growing. The most common warning signs are listed below.
Common signs to look for
Sign | What it looks like |
Fast-growing tumor | A lump in the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, such as the jaw, that grows quickly |
Painless swelling | Swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin that does not hurt |
Fatigue | Feeling tired and worn out |
Fever | Unexplained fever |
Night sweats | Sweating at night |
Weight loss | Losing weight without trying |
Feeling full quickly | Getting full after eating only a small amount |
When it affects the belly
Burkitt lymphoma often grows in the ileocecal region, the part of the belly where the large intestine and small intestine meet. When this region is affected, symptoms may include a fast-growing tumor in the belly, pain or fullness in the belly, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and losing weight without trying. [1]
When it affects the brain and spinal cord
If the cancer is present in the brain and spinal cord, it may cause neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, and vision changes. [1]
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you have any symptoms that worry you, especially a fast-growing lump, painless swelling, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss. [1] Because this cancer grows quickly, getting evaluated promptly makes a real difference.
What causes Burkitt lymphoma, and who is at risk?
What causes Burkitt lymphoma? It is not clear exactly what causes it. The cancer starts in B cells, the white blood cells that fight infection. In Burkitt lymphoma, gene changes cause the cell's DNA to rearrange, a process known as translocation. This rearrangement causes the B lymphocytes to turn into cancer cells, which then build up in different areas of the body and cause tumors. [1] [3]
No one causes Burkitt lymphoma by anything they did. It is not contagious, and it is not caused by diet, stress, or everyday habits.
Risk factors that raise the odds
Risk factor | Details |
Age | Endemic and sporadic types are more common in children |
Certain infections | Epstein-Barr virus, HIV, and malaria can increase risk |
Weakened immune system | Conditions such as ataxia-telangiectasia, Duncan syndrome, or XMEN (an inherited immune defect); a weakened immune system after organ transplant |
Family history | A relative with lymphoma may increase your risk |
Having a risk factor does not mean you will get Burkitt lymphoma. Many people with risk factors never develop it, and some people who develop it have no known risk factors. [4]
What complications can Burkitt lymphoma cause?
The most significant complication of Burkitt lymphoma is the risk of the cancer coming back, called a relapse. Even after successful treatment, Burkitt lymphoma may come back. The risk of relapse is higher in people with cancer of the central nervous system, and for people who have relapsed, the prognosis is much worse. [1]
That is why close follow-up care after treatment is a critical part of managing this disease. Most relapses happen in the first year.
How does Burkitt lymphoma develop?
How is Burkitt lymphoma diagnosed?
Diagnosis often begins with a physical exam that checks for swollen lymph nodes and a neurological exam, which tests how well the brain and nerves are working. Other tests and procedures might include blood tests, imaging tests, and taking a sample of tissue for lab testing. [2] [4]
Diagnostic steps and what they do
Test or procedure | What it checks |
Blood tests | Whether lymphoma cells are present; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme levels, which are often higher in lymphoma; infections such as Epstein-Barr virus and HIV |
CT and PET scans | Pictures of the body showing the location and extent of the cancer |
MRI | Used if the care team thinks the cancer affects the central nervous system |
Lymph node biopsy | All or part of a lymph node is removed and tested in a lab for cancer cells |
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy | A needle collects fluid and a small piece of solid tissue from the hip bone, where blood cells are made, to determine how far the cancer has spread |
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) | Fluid around the spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) is collected with a needle in the lower back and tested for cancer cells; done if neurological symptoms are present or risk is high |
Lab testing of lymphoma cells | Specialized tests that identify the exact type of lymphoma |
How the lab confirms the diagnosis
In the lab, specialists look for three kinds of evidence that the cells are Burkitt lymphoma cells. First, they study how the cells look under a microscope. The tissue often shows a distinctive pattern sometimes described as a "starry sky" appearance. [2] Second, they look for certain proteins called markers: the marker Ki-67 appears in very high levels inside Burkitt lymphoma cells, and common surface markers include CD10, CD19, CD20, CD79a, CD22, CD38, and CD45, while markers such as BCL2, CD44, and TdT are typically absent. Third, they look for the gene change that causes the DNA to rearrange. The MYC gene is the gene linked to Burkitt lymphoma. [2] [3]
How is Burkitt lymphoma staged, and what is the prognosis?
Once diagnosed, the next step is to determine the extent of the cancer, called the stage. Imaging tests, blood tests, and biopsies help the care team create a treatment plan. [4]
Stage | What it means |
Stage 1 | Only one lymph node region or one site outside of the lymph nodes is affected |
Stage 2 | Two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm are involved |
Stage 3 | Lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm are involved |
Stage 4 | Regions outside of the lymph nodes are involved |
Your prognosis is a general sense of how likely it is that the cancer can be controlled. It depends on your age, overall health, the cancer's stage, and the lymph node and bone marrow biopsy results. The stage cannot tell your individual future, so talk with your healthcare team about what to expect.
Survival rates depend on the stage, the treatments used, and whether the central nervous system is involved. In children, survival rates are often above 90% when treated right away, especially with stage 1 or stage 2 cancer that has not spread. [2] [3] In adults, survival rates range from 50% to 90%, depending on overall health.
What are the treatment options for Burkitt lymphoma?
Burkitt lymphoma is typically treated with a combination of chemotherapy medicines, and it may be cured if treated right away. Other treatments may include immunotherapy, clinical trials, a bone marrow transplant (also called a stem cell transplant), and radiation therapy. [1] Which treatment is best depends on the extent of the cancer (the stage), how quickly it is growing, your overall health, and what you prefer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often the first treatment used. [3] It treats cancer with strong medicines. Several chemotherapy medicines may be used at once, and most are given through a vein, though some come in pill form. [4] Chemotherapy may be combined with immunotherapy, and other medicines may be used at the same time to protect the central nervous system. [2] [4] It is also used when cancer has come back after treatment, called relapsed Burkitt lymphoma. [2] In people with HIV, medicines called antiretrovirals may be given during or after chemotherapy treatment.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment with medicine that helps the body's immune system find and kill cancer cells. [3] [4] Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system; immunotherapy helps the immune cells see them. It may be used as a first-line treatment for Burkitt lymphoma, often combined with chemotherapy, and also with other medicines in advanced or relapsed cases. [2]
Clinical trials
Clinical trials are studies of new treatments that offer a chance to try the latest options, though the risk of side effects might not be fully known. They are often used for relapsed Burkitt lymphoma or for cancer that has not responded to other treatments, known as refractory Burkitt lymphoma. Ask your healthcare team whether a trial might be right for you.
Bone marrow transplant
A bone marrow transplant, also called a bone marrow stem cell transplant, puts healthy bone marrow stem cells into the body to replace cells hurt by chemotherapy and other treatments. Stem cells can come from your own body (an autologous transplant) or from a donor (an allogeneic transplant). [2] A stem cell transplant may be an option for some people whose cancer has returned after a long period of remission.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful energy beams from X-rays, protons, or other sources. [4] During treatment, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you and directs radiation to precise points on your body. In advanced Burkitt lymphoma, radiation may be used to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, known as palliative radiation therapy.
What side effects and follow-up care follow Burkitt lymphoma treatment?
Treatments may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, rash, and diarrhea. Some harmful side effects need close monitoring.
Serious side effect | What happens |
Bone marrow suppression | The bone marrow cannot produce enough blood cells, including infection-fighting white blood cells, raising infection risk |
Febrile neutropenia | Fever combined with a low number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell); the body fights an infection without enough defenders; a serious condition |
Medicine toxicity | Some cancer medicines can damage organs and cause other problems; the care team works to find the safest medicine mix for you |
Tumor lysis syndrome | A serious condition that can happen when cancer cells break down quickly after treatment |
Monitoring after treatment. After treatment is complete, you will likely have frequent follow-up appointments to check whether the cancer has come back. [2] [3] For Burkitt lymphoma, most relapses happen in the first year after treatment. Expect repeat blood and imaging tests and, if needed, biopsies. [2] [3]
How should you prepare for a Burkitt lymphoma appointment?
Preparing for a Burkitt lymphoma appointment means writing down your symptoms, medicines and family history, and bringing questions about type, stage and treatment. Write down all your symptoms, including ones that seem unrelated, when they started, and how they have changed. List your major stresses, recent life changes, all medicines, vitamins, and supplements with doses, and any family history of lymphoma or other cancers. Bring a family member or friend to help remember information.
Good questions to ask include:
What type of Burkitt lymphoma do I have, and what stage is it?
What tests will I need, and how quickly should we start treatment?
What treatment options do I have, and what do you recommend and why?
What side effects should I expect, and what side effects are emergencies?
What is the chance of relapse, and what will follow-up look like?
If you have a fast-growing lump, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss, do not wait to seek care. Prompt evaluation is the single most important step with this cancer.
How can people cope with Burkitt lymphoma?
A Burkitt lymphoma diagnosis is overwhelming, and it is normal to feel fear, anger, or uncertainty. Support from family, friends, support groups, and your care team matters. Many people find that learning about their diagnosis and treatment helps them feel more in control. Talk openly with your healthcare team about your concerns, including your fears about relapse. They can connect you with social workers, counselors, and patient communities that specialize in blood cancers.
Conclusion
Burkitt lymphoma is one of the fastest-growing blood cancers, but it is also one of the most treatable when caught early. It begins in germ-fighting B cells, often causes a fast-growing tumor or painless swelling with fever, night sweats, and weight loss, and is usually treated with combination chemotherapy plus supporting treatments. With prompt, expert care, survival rates are remarkably high, often above 90% in children. The keys are recognizing the signs, acting quickly, and staying closely monitored after treatment.
Next steps: See a healthcare professional right away for a fast-growing lump, painless swelling, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss, and keep every follow-up appointment after treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What is Burkitt lymphoma and is it curable?
Burkitt lymphoma is an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that starts in B cells, a kind of germ-fighting white blood cell. [1] It may be cured when diagnosed and treated right away, with survival rates in children often above 90% when treatment starts promptly. [1] [3]
What are the first signs of Burkitt lymphoma?
The first signs often include a fast-growing tumor or painless swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin, along with fatigue, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. When it affects the belly, it can cause pain, fullness, nausea, vomiting, and feeling full quickly. [1]
How fast does Burkitt lymphoma grow?
Burkitt lymphoma is one of the fastest-growing human cancers. Tumors can enlarge noticeably over days to weeks, which is why prompt evaluation of a fast-growing lump or persistent symptoms is so important. [3]
What causes Burkitt lymphoma?
The exact cause is not clear. Gene changes cause the DNA of B cells to rearrange, called a translocation, which turns the cells into rapidly multiplying cancer cells. [1] [3] Infections such as Epstein-Barr virus, HIV, and malaria, a weakened immune system, and family history can increase risk. [1]
What happens after treatment for Burkitt lymphoma?
After treatment, you will have frequent follow-up appointments with repeat blood tests, imaging, and biopsies if needed [2] [3], because most relapses happen in the first year. Treatment can also cause serious side effects such as bone marrow suppression and tumor lysis syndrome that require close monitoring. [2]
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your individual situation.
Trusted external resources
References
Mayo Clinic Staff. Burkitt lymphoma - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. June 17, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burkitt-lymphoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20584512
Naing PT, Kaur A, Lynch DT. Burkitt lymphoma. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing (NCBI Bookshelf). February 17, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538148/
Cleveland Clinic. Burkitt lymphoma. Cleveland Clinic. May 27, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22777-burkitt-lymphoma
National Cancer Institute. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment (PDQ)–patient version. Cancer.gov. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/patient/adult-nhl-treatment-pdq
Lymphoma Research Foundation. Lymphoma Research Foundation: research, community, cure. Lymphoma Research Foundation. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://lymphoma.org/
Huang S, Jin L, Yang J, et al. Optimal dosage of rituximab for children with Burkitt lymphoma. Ann Hematol. 2024;103(3):893-903. PMID 38091052. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-023-05568-w
Huang S, Jin L, Yang J, et al. Treatment outcome in children with central nervous system-positive Burkitt lymphoma using only intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy combined with rituximab. Chin Med J (Engl). 2021;134(11):1329-1334. PMID 33734131. https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000001386
Jeon W, Koh YK, Kang S, et al. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of children and adolescents with aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma: a single-center analysis. Blood Res. 2022;57(1):41-50. PMID 35256548. https://doi.org/10.5045/br.2021.2021164
Last updated: June 17, 2025.
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