Burkitt's lymphoma

Clinical and epidemiologic features of Burkitt's lymphoma are reviewed. Epidemiologic studies suggest that simultaneous infection with Epstein-Barr (E-B) virus and malaria may be involved as etiologic agents. On the other hand we have found that in the Amazon region of Brazil and Peru both malaria and E-B virus infection is common among children, yet Burkitt's lymphoma is rare. The possibility exists that other concomitant etiologic agents and genetic factors are also involved. Several investigators suggested the possible involvement of Reo 3 virus. We have found antibodies against Yaba virus. A laboratory worker who accidentally inoculated himself with Yaba virus developed a histiocytoma which when inoculated into Asiatic monkeys produced typical Yaba tumors. This was the first case that Koch's postulates were fulfilled in a virus induced neoplasm in man. Therapeutically, the best clinical results were obtained in those patients who were treated with small doses of cyclophosphamide. On the basis of somewhat inadequate follow-up studies, it is estimated that "five year cures" were obtained in about 10% of the patients.