[Primary cardiac Burkitt lymphoma in an African child]

Abstract

Burkitt lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is endemic in the Equatorial Belt of Africa, usually affecting children and adolescents with primary head-neck or abdominal involvement. Primary cardiac lymphomas are rare entities (1.3% of all primary cardiac tumors) of difficult clinical identification. Delayed discovery contributes to significant mortality. We report a case of a primitive Burkitt lymphoma in a 14-year-old Cameroonian immunocompetent child, presenting with signs and symptoms of severe right inflow impairment. Echocardiography revealed a right atrial mass involving the right atrial ventricular junction. Surgical excision and chemotherapy regimens, administered according to established protocols, were effective in inducing complete remission at 6 months.