ETIOPATHOGENESIS OF BURKITT'S LYMPHOMA IN THE ORAL CAVITY AND MAXILLOFACIAL REGION

Abstract

A literature review was conducted to study the etiopathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma in the oral cavity and maxillofacial region. Burkitt's lymphoma was found to be a highly aggressive malignant B-cell lymphoma, considered one of the fastest-growing tumors in humans. It is rarely encountered as a first symptom in the oral cavity and maxillofacial region. Its prevalence in adults is less than 5%, while in equatorial Africa, it accounts for up to 74% of malignant neoplasms in children. Three subtypes of Burkitt's disease with distinct epidemiological, immunological, and molecular cytogenetic characteristics are distinguished: endemic, sporadic, and immunodeficiency-associated. Epstein-Barr virus is positive in 100% of cases of endemic Burkitt's lymphoma, but only in 20-40% of cases of the other two clinical variants.

Accurate diagnosis of this malignancy is challenging. In addition to standard morphological analysis, immunohistochemical examination should be used to establish a definitive diagnosis.