What common feature is associated with Burkitt lymphoma aside from the gene expression abnormality?

Burkitt lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by a rapid proliferation of B-lymphoid cells. A common feature associated with Burkitt lymphoma, aside from the underlying gene expression abnormalities (most notably the MYC gene rearrangement), is the presence of night sweats. Night sweats occur due to the systemic effects of lymphoma, which can trigger cytokine release and disrupt normal body temperature regulation, leading to episodes of excessive sweating at night.

While other symptoms such as severe weight loss, abdominal pain, and bone pain may be present in various types of lymphoma or other cancers, they are not as distinctive to Burkitt lymphoma as night sweats. Night sweats can indicate more aggressive disease, which is typical in Burkitt lymphoma due to its high growth fraction and fast clinical course. Recognizing this symptom is important in the clinical context as it can help guide further diagnostic workup and treatment decisions.