Abstract:
Background: Kenya is among the high-risk
geographical zones especially for the
African- endemic variant of Burkitt
Lymphoma (BL). It accounts for up to half
of all children cases of non-Hodgkin’s
lymphomas in tropical Africa. There is
limited published data on the clinico-
demographic features of BL at Moi
Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH)
despite it being a major center for referral of
oncology patients from the North Rift,
Western and Nyanza regions of Kenya.
Objective: The main objective of this study
was to describe the demographic patterns
and clinical features of BL among patients
attending MTRH from 2017 to 2022.
Design: A descriptive cross sectional
retrospective study design was used.
Results: Out of the 85 cases studied, the
most affected ages were between 6-10 years
(36%). Males (64%) were affected almost
twice more than females (36%). Rift Valley
had the highest number of cases (42%),
while Western and Nyanza regions
contributed 25% each. The abdomen was
the primary site of tumor in most cases
(54%), while the jaw was affected in 30% of
the cases. Combined abdomen and jaw
involvement was seen in 4% of the cases.
Weight loss was the most frequent symptom
(33%), night sweats and fever were also
noted. The most common clinical signs
were lymphadenopathy (55%) and pallor
(23%).
Conclusion: Commonly affected age range
is between 6-10 years, boys seen to be
affected almost twice as much as girls. Rift
Valley is the most commonly affected
region. The most common presenting
complaint is an abdominal mass with
associated local symptoms and classical B-
symptoms of fever, night sweats and weight
loss.