What is the Difference Between Burkitt Lymphoma and Hodgkin Lymphoma

The key difference between Burkitt lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma is that the presence of Reed-Sternberg lymphocytes does not mark Burkitt lymphoma. In contrast, the presence of Reed-Sternberg lymphocytes marks Hodgkin lymphoma.

Burkitt lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma are two different types of lymphomas. Lymphomas are types of cancers that begin in the lymphatic system due to abnormal white blood cells growth. There are two main types of lymphoma: non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common than Hodgkin lymphoma. Moreover, Burkitt lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Burkitt Lymphoma 
3. What is Hodgkin Lymphoma
4. Similarities – Burkitt Lymphoma and Hodgkin Lymphoma
5. Burkitt Lymphoma vs. Hodgkin Lymphoma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Burkitt Lymphoma vs. Hodgkin Lymphoma

What is Burkitt Lymphoma?

Burkitt lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is rare and fast-growing. It typically affects children and is less frequently seen in young adults. Burkitt lymphoma often starts in organs like the abdomen or spleens. This condition is rare in North America and Europe and more common in Africa. Burkitt lymphoma arises from changes in the MYC gene and other genetic changes identified in cancer cells, disrupting the normal control of cell growth. Moreover, some individuals with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection also have Burkitt lymphoma. The common symptoms of Burkitt lymphoma in children include Belly pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes. The common symptoms in adults include weakness and fatigue, fever, unintended weight loss, and night sweats.

Moreover, Burkitt lymphoma is diagnosed through computed tomography (CT) scans, cerebrospinal fluid cytology, and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) tests. Furthermore, treatment options for Burkitt lymphoma include a combination of very powerful chemotherapy drugs (rituximab (Mabthera) to destroy cancerous tumors.

What is Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer in lymphatic tissues. It is a painless enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. Only 10% of lymphomas are Hodgkin lymphomas. Hodgkin lymphoma is also marked by the presence of a special type of lymphocyte called Reed-Sternberg cells. The signs and symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma may include painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin, persistent fatigue, fever, night sweats, unintentional losing weight, severe itching, and pain in lymph nodes, especially after drinking alcohol. Hodgkin lymphoma is caused due to mutations in genes such as Tp53, IkappaBalpha, and CD95/Fas. Moreover, the risk factors for Hodgkin lymphoma may include age (people in their 20s and 30s and those over age 55), a family history of lymphoma, being male, past Epstein-Barr infection, and HIV infection.

Hodgkin lymphoma can be diagnosed through a physical examination, blood tests, imaging tests (X-ray, CT, and PET scan), lymph node biopsy, and bone marrow biopsy. Furthermore, Hodgkin lymphoma can be treated through chemotherapy (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine), radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

What are the Similarities Between Burkitt Lymphoma and Hodgkin Lymphoma?

• Burkitt lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma are two different types of lymphomas.
• Both lymphomas are caused by DNA or gene mutations.
• EBV infection is a risk factor for getting both lymphomas.
• Both lymphomas may have similar symptoms, such as weakness or fatigue, loss of weight, swollen lymph nodes, etc.
• They can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
• Chemotherapy is used to treat both diseases.

What is the Difference Between Burkitt Lymphoma and Hodgkin Lymphoma?

The presence of Reed-Sternberg lymphocytes does not mark Burkitt lymphoma, while the presence of Reed-Sternberg lymphocytes marks Hodgkin lymphoma. Thus, this is the key difference between Burkitt lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Furthermore, Burkitt lymphoma mainly affects children, while Hodgkin lymphoma mainly affects young adults and older people.

The infographic below presents the differences between Burkitt lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Burkitt Lymphoma vs. Hodgkin Lymphoma

There are two main types of lymphoma; they are Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is not marked by the presence of a special kind of cells called Reed-Sternberg lymphocytes. On the other hand, Hodgkin lymphoma is marked by the presence of Reed-Sternberg lymphocytes. Moreover, non-Hodgkin lymphoma affects both B and T cells, while Hodgkin lymphoma mainly affects B cells. Burkitt lymphoma is a non Hodgkin lymphoma. So, this summarizes the difference between Burkitt lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.

Reference:

1. “Hodgkin Lymphoma.” NHS Choices.
2. “Burkitt Lymphoma: Diagnosis, Prognosis, Symptoms, and Treatments.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Unilateral proptosis due to Burkitt’s lymphoma” By Community Eye Health (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Hodgkin lymphoma cytology large” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia