Burkitt's Lymphoma: Remissions Following Seemingly Non-specific Therapy

Abstract

Long-term remissions observed in four out of eight unselected patients with Burkitt's lymphoma following seemingly non-specific treatment with Septicemine, are described. This is regarded as strong evidence of an effective immunological response.

Case Details

Disease Location

Left maxilla

Personal Characteristics

9 -year-old male

Clinical Characteristics

Admitted with a very large tumor of the left maxilla, with dislodged teeth and gross distorightion of his face within three weeks, the palatal swelling filled the mouth as much as possible of the tumor was removed and the diagnosis was confirmed histologically he was started on septicemine the tumor rapidly recurred, surpassing its original size with a few weeks, there was rapid and gross deterioration in the patient's general condition the injections of septicemine were reduced to biweekly and continued for 6 further weeks histological exam of the shrunken tumor mass showed almost complete necrosis death occured form bowl perforation at necropsy, it was reported that the left kidney was overlain by an encapsulated smooth mass, incorporating the adrenal, a tumor mass apparently arising from the bowel wall was about 7.5cm in diameter found on the ascending colon histological section found the tumor involving the adrenal showed viable lymphoma cells scattered among necrotic tissue. The bowel tumor showed only necrotic tissue, though it was stated that the cause of death was "opinioned" to be peritonitis secondary to a metastatic tumor in the bowel with no mention of perforation

Remission Characteristics

Once medication was reduced, there was marked tumor remission and involvement in the patient's general condition with weight loss recovery, occurred.

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Either the treatment or an immunological mechanism host response to cytotoxic therapy an immunological response to tumor trauma, i.e. Tumor-antibody formation host defense mechanisms

Clinical Treatment

Septicemine

Non-Clinical Treatment

None reported