title: Endemic Burkitt lymphoma of maxillofacial region: results of induction treatment with cyclophosphamide plus methotrexate in West Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Burkitt lymphoma is frequent a cancer in the developing countries where its treatment is based on non-intensive chemotherapy protocols. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and the toxicity of a non-intensive chemotherapy protocol combining cyclophosphamide and methotrexate in children with Burkitt lymphoma of the maxillofacial region.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective descriptive study was carried out in patients with Burkitt lymphoma of maxillofacial region who received at least one weekly treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide and methotrexate between 1999 and 2006 in a university teaching hospital in Burkina Faso. The demographic characteristics of the patients, the effectiveness and the toxicity of the treatment were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 58 patients were included. The mean age was 7.2 years. According to Murphy's staging, 28 patients (48%) were at stage I, 18 (31%) at stage II, 11 (19%) at stage III and 1 (2%) at stage IV. Among 28 patients who received all the cycles of the protocol, 21 (75%) achieved complete remission, 6 (21%) had partial remission and 1 (4%) had progressive disease. The major complications during the treatment were febrile leucopenia and anemia. The mortality rate was 19% (11/58).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-intensive chemotherapy protocol with cyclophosphamide and methotrexate could be an alternative to intensive chemotherapy protocols for the management of the stage I-III endemic Burkitt lymphoma in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery, CHU Sanou Souro, Burkina Faso. rbeogo@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Rasmané
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Béogo
authors.forename: Boubacar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nacro
authors.forename: Dieudonné
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ouédraogo
authors.forename: Kampadilemba
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ouoba
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002050:Burkina Faso; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019767:Maxillofacial Abnormalities / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008727:Methotrexate