Introduction to Lymphoid Malignancies Flashcards
Define Lymphoma
- Lymphoma: cancer of the white blood cells (lymphocytes).
Lymphoma - affect and cause
- Affects to mature blood cells, mostly B lymphocytes but also T lymphocytes
- Heterogeneous group
- Many known to be due to specific genetic mutations and chromosomal translocations
Lymph nodes - function
Main functions:
a) blood filtration/purification
b) removal of excess fluids from tissues
c) absorption and transport of lipids
d) Immune system activation
Primary lymph organs - function
- Primary lymph organs: sites where stem cells can divide and become immunocompetent
Secondary lymph organs - function
- Secondary lymph organs: sites where most of the immune responses occur
Describe process of infiltration of bone marrow in lymphoma
Affect lymphocytes in different maturation stages
Uncontrolled division
Organ size increase:
Lymph node (adenopathy)
Other lymph organs (splenomegaly)
Spread to other tissues through lymphatic system
Might infiltrate in bone marrow (detectable in blood)
and/or other organs
Lymphoma - warning signs
Swelling of face/neck Fever Lump in your neck, armpits and groin Excessive sweating at night Unexpected weight loss Loss of apetite Itchiness Breathlessness Feeling of weakness
Lymphoma - diagnosis
Lymph node biopsy - (make a small cut, remove the lymph node or portion of the lymph node, stitch the biopsy site close, then bandage)
Then immunophenotyping
NGS carried out after
FISH analysis for the detection of lymphoma-associated chromosomal abnormalities and flow cytometry
Describe the PET for stage I of lymphoma
Localized disease, single lymph node or single organ
Describe the PET for stage II of lymphoma
Two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm
Describe the PET for stage III of lymphoma
Two or more lymph node regions above and below the diaphragm
Describe the PET for stage IV of lymphoma
Widespread disease, multiple organs, with/without lymph node involvement
Describe the factors causing lymphoma
Malfunctioning of the body’s immune system
Exposure to certain infections
Explain effect of factors causing lymphoma
Infection = transformed B cells
Leading to: Deregulated cell cycle Inhibition of apoptosis Genomic instability Increased metastasis
= higher angiogenesis
= lymphoma (along w/other infections including HIV)
Describe the certainty of the knowledge of the causing factors for lymphoma
The triggers are unknown but… most of lymphomas occur when a B cell develops/acquires a mutation in its DNA
Describe classification of lymphoma according to WHO
Mature B-cell neoplasms
Mature T-cell and NK neoplasms
Hodgkin lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma - what type
- Clonal B-cell malignancy.
Hodgkin lymphoma - presentation
- Presentation- non-painful enlarged lymph node(s)
Hodgkin lymphoma - risk factors
- Risk factors: ~50% cases due to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)- Classic form.
- Other risk factors: Family history and HIV/AIDS.