Burkitt's lymphoma is a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma - a cancer that affects a class of white blood cells called B-lymphocytes.

'It is one of the most aggressive cancers around,' said Dr Benjamin Mow, a consultant haematologist and oncologist in private practice. 'Every day, the cancerous cells can double in number.'

Worldwide, this cancer occurs in one person out of every 100,000, Dr Mow said.

First discovered in 1956 by British surgeon Dennis Burkitt in Africa, the cancer is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which transforms normal white blood cells into cancerous cells at an impressive rate.

'Burkitt's lymphoma tends to occur in people with low immunity, as it makes them more vulnerable to the virus,' said Dr Mow.

Thus, people suffering from or just recovering from an illness might be more susceptible to this cancer - for instance, people with HIV, which weakens one's immune system.

Jaw and intestines affected

There are two forms of Burkitt's lymphoma - endemic and sporadic.

The endemic strain is native to Africa and occurs mostly in children. Usually, the affected children also suffer from malaria, thus decreasing their resistance to the virus.

For endemic Burkitt's lymphoma, tumours usually grow along the jawbone.

The sporadic strain on the other hand, which Dr Francis Seow-Choen suffered from, tends to take root in the intestines.

Its usual symptoms are swelling or tumour growths in the abdominal area, said Dr Mow.

This is because there are numerous lymph nodes in the intestines, he added.

Other symptoms may include enlarged lymph glands and night sweats.

The cancer can spread quickly to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system, which is linked to many parts of the body.

However, extensive research over the years has increased the chances of surviving this disease.

According to eMedicine.com, Burkitt's lymphoma is highly curable, with at least 60per cent of patients surviving with intensive treatment.

Treatment for Burkitt's lymphoma usually involves a short-term but intensive period of chemotherapy, said Dr Mow, adding that the usual period is about six months.

Surgery is seldom needed unless there is, for example, an obstruction in the intestines.

Although the survival rate is high, however, as in all cancers, there is always a chance that it might resurface again, said Dr Mow.

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This story was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times.

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