Early relapse of Burkitt lymphoma heralded by a bone marrow necrosis and numb chin syndrome successfully treated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Leuk Res Rep. 2014 Jul 4;3(2):51-3. doi: 10.1016/j.lrr.2014.06.002. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The optimal salvage therapy for patients with relapsed Burkitt lymphoma is unknown. Bone marrow necrosis is an underreported (<1% of bone marrow failures). Numb chin syndrome is another rare syndrome associated with aggressive malignancies. Survival of these syndromes is dictated by the underlying disease and is usually dismal. Our 35-year-old patient experienced an early relapse of Burkitt lymphoma accompanied by syndromes, achieved second complete remission and underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation. He remains alive and well >2 years after the transplant. To our knowledge, this is the longest reported survival of the two syndromes in the setting of BL relapse.

Keywords: Allogeneic; Bone marrow necrosis; Burkitt lymphoma; Numb chin syndrome; Salvage.