Double-Expressor Appendiceal Burkitt's Lymphoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND: Appendiceal lymphoma is a very rare entity accounting for 0.015% of all gastrointestinal lymphoma cases. Acute appendicitis is the most common presentation of primary appendix neoplasms. Burkitt's lymphoma presenting as an acute appendicitis is a rare entity with around 21% of the cases presenting as a lower iliac fossa mass. Case Presentation. A 23-year-old male was admitted to the surgical ward as a case of acute appendicitis with localized tenderness in the right iliac fossa, positive rebound tenderness, a positive Rovsing's sign, and ultrasound findings of suspected complicated appendicitis. Appendectomy was performed. Histopathological examination of the appendectomy specimen revealed a double-expressor non-Hodgkin diffuse large cell lymphoma with Burkitt's-like morphology. He was sent for chemotherapy treatment. CONCLUSION: Only 34 cases of Burkitt's lymphoma have been reported to present as acute appendicitis. Histological examination following appendectomy for an apparent appendicitis is essential. Furthermore, complete blood count and a computed tomography scan aid the diagnosis of lymphoma. Double-expressor lymphoma has been shown to have poor outcomes. Therefore, prompt and aggressive treatment is vital.