Adult abdominal Burkitt lymphoma with isolated peritoneal involvement

Abstract

Burkitt lymphoma is a fast-growing high grade B-cell neoplasm that rarely affects adults. Three clinical variants are described in the World Health Organization classification: endemic, sporadic, and immunodeficiency-associated. The non-endemic form typically presents as an abdominal mass in children. Symptoms usually occur due to mass effect or direct intestinal involvement. We describe a very unusual presentation of a sporadic Burkitt lymphoma case in a 61-year-old male with diffuse peritoneal and omental involvement, without lymphadenopathies, mimicking peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Adult Sporadic Burkitt’s Lymphoma Presenting with Rapid Development of Peritoneal Lymphomatosis

“…Peritoneal thickening is more commonly caused by peritoneal carcinomatosis secondary to spread of a primary mucinous tumor. Alternative diagnoses of peritoneal thickening include malignant peritoneal mesothelioma and tuberculous peritonitis [ 9 ]. Correct interpretation of peritoneal and omental thickening is necessary in the setting of BL given its rapid progression and nonsurgical treatment.…”

Sporadic Burkitt lymphoma presenting with peritoneal lymphomatosis

“…1 Sporadic BL is one of the least common non-Hodgkin lymphomas. 2 The incidence of sporadic BL is 2-3 cases per million population. 1 The median age of diagnosis is 30 years.…”

“…In the non‐endemic form, patients typically present with an abdominal mass and its consequences. 2 This abdominal mass can be associated with ascites, and the diagnosis of BL can often be made by paracentesis. Peritoneal lymphomatosis is rare and is usually associated with diffuse B‐cell lymphoma.…”

“…Extra‐nodal involvement includes ileocecal area, stomach, kidney, gonads, and central nervous system. In the non‐endemic form, patients typically present with an abdominal mass and its consequences 2 . This abdominal mass can be associated with ascites, and the diagnosis of BL can often be made by paracentesis.…”