ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2013;30(2):103-109

Case report

UDC:616-006.44-08-053.9

DOI:10.2478/v10283-012-0044-0

Burkitt Lymphoma in Elderly Patients

Ivan Petković¹, Dragan Mihailović², Miljan Krstić², Ivica Pejčić¹, Svetislav Vrbić¹, Mirjana Balić¹

¹Oncology Clinic, Clinical Center Niš, Serbia

²Center for Pathology, Clinical Center Niš, Serbia


summary

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a disease of predominantly young population, while in the elderly it occurs as a rare neoplasm. Elderly patients (age >60 years) represent a significant problem because of the inability to apply effective aggressive chemiotherapy in these cases. The risk of induction death is very high and unacceptible. Mainly, palliative treatments are applied, whose goal is not curing but maintaining the quality of life. We present the case of a person 75 years old with a diagnosis of sporadic, typical BL treated with CHOP+R in the induction therapy with excellent response but rapid progression after the abolition of rituximab. In discussion, the authors are looking for relevant data on the therapeutic approach in BL in the elderly.

Key words: Burkitt lymphoma, elderly patients