Significance of residual abdominal masses in children with abdominal Burkitt's lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the natural history of children with abdominal Burkitt's lymphoma who had complete clinical remission and residual abdominal mass after treatment.


METHODS
The charts and imaging findings of all children with abdominal Burkitt's lymphoma treated and followed at our medical center between 1988 and 1999 were reviewed for the presence, management, clinical course, and prognosis of residual mass.


RESULTS
Only children who achieved complete clinical remission were included. The study group consisted of 33 children (20 boys and 13 girls) aged 2.6-17.6 years (mean 7.2 years). Of these, seven (20.6 %) were found to have a residual abdominal mass. Two underwent second-look operation with no evidence of viable tumor on histology. The remaining five were followed by imaging studies for 2.2-9.1 years (mean 6.1 years); none relapsed.


CONCLUSIONS
Residual mass is not uncommon in children with abdominal Burkitt's lymphoma. The presence of residual mass in a child with complete clinical remission does not alter the long-term prognosis. Therefore, in children with Burkitt's lymphoma and residual mass with no other signs of disease activity, expectant watching may be appropriate.
Karmazyn
B
B
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, 14 Kaplan Street, Petah-Tikva 49202, Israel. bkar@Netvision.net.il
Ash
S
S
Goshen
Y
Y
Yaniv
I
I
Horev
G
G
Kornreich
L
L
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed