International Journal of Hematology and Oncology 2023, Vol 33, Num 4 Page(s): 198-205
Burkitt Lymphoma: Advanced Stage Strongly Matters

Basak SAYINALP ARSLAN1, Atakan EROL2, Derya Deniz KUREKCI3, Fatma GUNDOGDU4, Ozgur MEHTAP2, Engin KELKITLI3, Aysegul UNER4, Serkan AKIN5, Hakan GOKER 6, Ibrahim BARISTA5, Yahya BUYUKASIK6

1Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine
2Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology
3Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology
4Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology
5 Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology
6Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology

Keywords: Burkitt lymphoma, Prognosis, Risk factor
An ideal prognostic index in Burkitt lymphoma is lacking. Although recently developed Burkitt Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (BL-IPI) shows promise, the fact it doesn’t include advanced stage is a matter of concern. We aimed to investigate advanced
stage as a risk factor and propose a new prognostic score accordingly. This multicenter retrospective cohort study includes data of 101 adults. Advanced stage demonstrated poor prognosis along with age, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), uric acid, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Score (ECOG PS). Even though BL- IPI performed well in the whole cohort, it wasn’t efficient enough in the advanced stage subset. The alternative score consisted of age ≥ 55 years (1 point), LDH > 10 x ULN (1 point), hyperuricemia (1 point), ECOG PS ≥ 2 (2 points), and advanced stage (2 points). Low (≤1 point), intermediate (2-4 points), and highrisk (≥ 5 points) groups consisted of 18%, 59%, and 23% of the patients respectively. 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 87.1%, 59.5%, and 0% (p< 0.001) whereas 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 83.3%, 53.5%, and 0% (p= 0.002). Advanced stage indicates poor prognosis independently. An ideal prognostic system should include it as a risk factor. Our risk score carves a path to the ideal risk score, however more studies with higher number of patients are needed to validate it.