Navigating Rare Presentations: Recurrent Burkitt Lymphoma Presenting as a Jejunal Mass

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Hematology

Background:

• Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive B-cell malignancy typically involving lymph nodes or the central nervous system.
• Jejunal involvement in BL is uncommon and can mimic other gastrointestinal disorders, complicating diagnosis.
• A high index of suspicion and histopathological confirmation are essential for diagnosing jejunal BL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of relapsed Burkitt lymphoma in the jejunum.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges associated with rare extra-nodal BL presentation.
• To underscore the importance of early recognition in managing BL recurrence.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 37-year-old male with a history of BL and other comorbidities.
• Diagnostic workup included imaging (revealing peritoneal carcinomatosis and a left hemiabdomen mass) and push enteroscopy with biopsy.
• Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed BL recurrence with CD45, CD20, BCL6, and c-Myc positivity.

Main Results:

• Push enteroscopy confirmed Burkitt lymphoma recurrence in the jejunum.
• The patient presented with abdominal pain and nausea, with imaging findings suspicious for malignancy.
• Despite supportive care, the patient's disease progressed, leading to a fatal outcome.

Conclusions:

• Early recognition of Burkitt lymphoma is critical, especially in rare extra-nodal sites like the jejunum.
• Diagnostic challenges in jejunal BL necessitate a high index of suspicion and prompt histopathological evaluation.
• Further research is needed to improve early detection and treatment strategies for relapsed or refractory BL.