Definition
Burkitt's lymphoma (or B-cell lymphoma) is a malignant neoplasm affecting the lymphatic system; some speak of Burkitt's lymphoma as a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is distinguished from the latter by its particular very rapid progression.
Causes
Burkitt's lymphoma is closely related to the infection caused by Epistein-Barr virus, the same causative agent responsible for mononucleosis. Risk factors: the chances of degeneration of the infection in Burkitt lymphoma increase in case of immunodeficiency (eg AIDS), leukemia, malnutrition, bone marrow transplant, prolonged treatment with chemotherapy.
Symptoms
Most often, Burkitt's lymphoma begins at the level of the cervical and maxillary lymph nodes, but it can also expand into the ovaries and testicles, in the marrow, in the brain and in the belly, causing pain. The disease can cause apathy, swelling, sore throat, general malaise, swelling of the jaw bones, consistent sweating, mucosal ulcers.
Information on Burkitt's Lymphoma - Drugs for the Treatment of Burkitt's Lymphoma is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Burkitt's Lymphoma - Burkitt Lymphoma Drugs.
drugs
Although Burkitt's lymphoma is rather aggressive, chemotherapy has a fairly good resolving effect in most cases. More precisely, to cure this neoplastic form, the combined chemotherapy (with more antineoplastic drugs) at high doses constitutes the treatment of choice, while the mono-chemotherapy does not seem particularly indicated.
In light of the statistics, it can be seen that the survival of Burkitt lymphoma patients treated with polychemotherapy associated with monoclonal drugs, after 5 years, is estimated at around 75%.
- Cyclophosphamide (eg Endoxan Baxter, bottle or tablets): take 10-15 mg / kg every 7-10 days; or 3-5 mg / kg twice a week. The drug can also be taken orally at a dose of 1-8 mg / kg per day (maintenance dose)
- Ifosfamide (eg Holoxan): the dosage of this drug varies enormously based on the patient's age and the stage of tumor progression. To give an example, the dose ranges from 1.2 g to 5 g per square meter of body surface. Consult your doctor.
- Cytarabine (eg Depocyte, Aracytin, Citarabine HSP): the dosage of the drug for the treatment of Burkitt's lymphoma ranges from 100-200 mg / m2 a day, to 2-6 mg / kg a day, to be taken intravenously for slow 24-hour infusion, or in divided doses (rapid injection) for 5-10 days.
- Prednisone (eg. Solprene, Deltamidrina): an exponent of synthetic corticosteroids, the drug is used in combination with antineoplastics to relieve Burkitt's lymphoma symptoms. The dose should be determined by your doctor. This drug is often used, in combination with other active ingredients, also for the treatment of Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Doxorubicin (eg. Adriblastina, Caelyx, Myocet): when used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, the most indicated dose of Doxorubicin is 40-60 mg / m2 ev every 21-28 days. Alternatively, take 60-75 mg / m2 of substance every 21 days.
- Etoposide (eg. Etoposide Teva, Vepesid): also in this case, the dose is heavily influenced by the patient's age and the stage of tumor progression. Furthermore, in the dosage, a possible association with one or more active ingredients should also be considered. Consult your doctor.
- Rituximab (eg. Mabthera): before taking this drug (monoclonal antibody), it is recommended to use paracetamol (Ex. Acetamol, Tachipirina) associated with an antihistamine. Then it is possible to proceed with the therapy: start the treatment with a dose of 50 mg / hour to be taken intravenously. In the absence of toxicity, increase the dose by 50 mg / hour (in increments every 30 minutes). Do not exceed 400 mg / hour. For subsequent infusions, it is possible to reach an infusion rate of 100 mg / hour and increase the dosage (in the absence of toxic side effects) from 100 mg / hour (every 30 minutes) up to a maximum of 400 mg / hour.
- Methotrexate (eg. Reumaflex, Methotrexate HSP, Securact): the drug is an antagonist of folic acid synthesis, able to heavily influence the body's immune response. In this regard, it is used in the treatment of some neoplasms, including Burkitt's lymphoma. In stage I-II: take 10-25 mg of drug by mouth, once a day for 4-8 days. For stage III Burkitt's lymphoma: take 0.625-2.5 mg / kg of oral substance per day, in combination with other targeted drugs. The duration of treatment generally varies from 7 to 10 days.
