BURKITTS LYMPHOMA-LEUKEMIA IN PATIENTS TREATED FOR HODGKINS-DISEASE

We reviewed all reported cases of Burkitt's lymphoma and/or Burkitt's leukemia (BLL) occurring following therapy for Hodgkin's disease. In a ddition to the case described in this report, a total of 19 patients h ave been previously reported. The male/female ratio was 3.75. Treatmen t for Hodgkin's disease included chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy in 15 patients, chemotherapy in 3 patients, and radiation ther apy alone in 1 patient. Median interval between Hodgkin's disease and the diagnosis of BLL was 97 months. Patient characteristics are simila r to those with de novo BLL. Bone marrow, abdomen, central nervous sys tem, as well as extranodal organs were commonly involved. Typical cyto genetic translocations seen in patients with primary BLL were found in 6 patients, but 5 of these patients had additional cytogenetic abnorm alities. Only 2 patients achieved complete remission after chemotherap y. The mechanism for the development of BLL after treatment for Hodgki n's disease is unknown. Although the majority of cases have been seen in patients treated with combined-modality therapy, the role of previo us therapy in causing this complication cannot be assessed in this stu dy.