Fish, IGH/C-MYC (8 14) Burkitt Lymphoma

Amidst different types of cancers, Burkitt lymphoma falls under the category of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is a rare yet aggressive cancer that affects the lymphatic system. A Burkitt lymphoma test is necessary because this condition also attacks the immune system and weakens its capacity to fight minor infections.

MYC gene FISH test is a sensitive technique to discover this condition’s presence. It is essential to opt for this test because the tumour growth is abnormally fast in this type of cancer. Moreover, overlooking critical signs and symptoms of this cancer can lead to complications and make the condition fatal.

FISH test for Burkitt lymphoma helps start the therapy immediately after confirming the presence of the condition. By doing this, you can increase the chances of survival and improve the quality of life after chemotherapy.

Lymphoma affects the B-cells of the immune system and is primarily found in children. The following are three different types of Burkitt lymphoma:

Sporadic Burkitt lymphoma: It is a rare form of the disease primarily found in the African region. The condition affects the lower abdomen explicitly and is mainly associated with the Epstein-Barr virus.
Endemic Burkitt lymphoma: This form of lymphoma is caused by chronic malaria and EBV that usually involves facial bones and the jaw. You might see the involvement of organs like kidneys, ovaries, breasts, and small intestines. 
Immunodeficiency-related lymphoma: This condition arises due to prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs. These drugs may be prescribed to avoid rejection of grafts during organ transplants or HIV treatment. 
Some secondary contributing factors like vector-borne viral infection can cause this type of lymphoma among people who are not naturally prone to this condition. Some symptoms to watch out for before undergoing the FISH test for Burkitt lymphoma are:

• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Constant fatigue
• Frequent relapse of fever
• Regular night sweats
• Abnormal and painless swelling in lymph node
• Symptoms related to the intestine and digestive tract
• Deficiency of immune system or compromised immunity due to infections like HIV

The MYC gene FISH test uses an in-situ hybridisation technique to determine the expression of the MYC gene in the sample. These genes are proto-oncogenes that regulate the cancer development in the system if it is active. The increase in the expression of these genes may lead to cell proliferation.

Apollo Pharmacy’s Burkitt lymphoma test cost is ₹ 4950 and the results are available within 7 days. The origin of Burkitt lymphoma is restricted to specific organs, but in rare cases, it might start from the brain, kidneys, testes, and spinal fluid. Even though the incidence of  this condition is generally high in only some geographic conditions, one must go for FISH IGH test if they have a family history.