Lymphoma Flashcards
What are lymphomas?
Type of blood cancer that develops from lymphocytes
What is the main classification of lymphomas?
Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
What investigations are used to diagnose lymphomas?
- Full Blood Count
- CT w/ contrast
- PET/CT
- Incision biopsy (bulky nodes)
- Needle core biopsy
- HIV test [NHL]
What are the general clinical features of lymphomas?
- Smooth, multiple, discrete, mobile, painless
- Spontaneously increase/decrese in size
- Rubbery consistency
- Can grow to 10cm +
- Dehydration, hypercalcemia, anaemia, infection, organ damage
What staging system is used for lymphomas?
Modification of Ann Arbor system [1-4]
What are the ‘B’ symptoms used to grade Hodgkin’s lymphomas?
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Fever
What aetiological factors are associated with Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- Immune dieases [HIV, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis,…]
- Immunosuppressant medication
- Previous chemo or RT
- Obesity/smoker
- Epstein-Barr Virus [40% UK cases]
- Genetic
What is the main histological difference between Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas?
Hodgkin’s:
Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells
What are the main signs and symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- Fatigue
- Backache
- Alcohol induced pain
- Left-sided abdom. mass [splenomegaly]
- Palpable adbom. mass [para-aortic nodes]
- Compression effects from enlarged nodes
- Swollen neck nodes
Plus, ‘B’ symptoms [night sweats, weight loss,
What treatment management options are there for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Chemo and/or RT
Patients allocated into favourable and unfavourable groups
What is the dose for favourable Hogkin’s lymphoma patients?
20 Gy 10#
What is the dose for unfavourable Hogkin’s lymphoma patients?
30 Gy 15#
What is the role of interim PET-CT scans in the treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
After chemo to assess response [prevent overtreating]
What is the name of the RT technique used for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Involved site
[aka involved node RT]
What volumes are used in Involved Site RT?
All initially involved sites
Pre-chemo imaging used to determine inf/sup extent of disease
