Childhood lymphoma in the territories of papua and new guinea

Abstract

Childhood lymphoma as commonly observed in certain areas of Africa and conveniently labelled “Burkitt tumor,” was diagnosed in 35 cases during 6 years (1958–63 incl.) in the Territories of Papua and New Guinea (population about 2,000,000) and was the most commonly reported childhood malignancy. The clinical and pathological features of these cases followed closely the descriptions from Africa but distinct geographical and climatic limitations were not observed. Sex ratio, age‐grouping and reversal of lymphoma‐leukemia ratio all showed remarkable similarity with the African observations but jaw tumors formed only one third of the cases. The difficulty of identifying tumors from an etiological viewpoint even when clinical and pathological presentation are similar, has been discussed. At present it does not seem possible to declare the Burkitt tumor to be a definite entity.

Burkitt lymphoma in Papua, New Guinea.

“…The male to female ratio in this series is 2*7: 1 and is almost identical to that observed by ten Seldam et al (1966). This compares with the Uganda figure of 2*3: 1 given by Burkitt (1967).…”

Further Isolations of Reovirus Type 3 from Cases of Burkitt's Lymphoma

“…This observation led Davies to put forward the hypothesis that an arthropod-borne virus might play a part in the causation of the tumour (Burkitt, 1962). It is also known that there is a high incidence in New Guinea, which has a climate similar to that of tropical Africa (ten Seldam et al, 1966). However, cases have been identified in the U.S.A. and England (O'Conor et al, 1965 ;Dorfman, 1965;Wright, 1965).…”

Epstein Barr Virus Volume 1

“…Ten Seldam et al (1966) examined 35 cases of childhood lymphoma that occurred in these territories between 1958 and 1963. Ten Seldam et al (1966) examined 35 cases of childhood lymphoma that occurred in these territories between 1958 and 1963.…”