Long‐term experience with burkitt's lymphoma in uganda

The cumulative results and long‐term follow‐up of all patients with Burkitt's lymphoma treated at the Uganda cancer Institute Kampala are reported. The annual admission rate is 29. The tumor patients commonly present with jaw swelling (72%), abdominal swelling (56%) and central nervous system involvement (30%). Complete response rate is achieved in a high proportion of patients (81 %). About 50% of these relapse, equal numbers relapsing before and after 3 months. The most important factor influencing remission duration and survival is disease stage. Other important factors are treatment protocols and, to a lesser extent, the type of relapse. Central nervous system relapse does not necessarily augur poor prognosis as second remissions and long‐term survival can be achieved with appropriate therapy. Presently 25% of all treated patients have survived free of disease well beyond 5 years.