Lymphoma

Question 1

What are malignant lymphomas?

Answer 1

malignant tumours that originate in lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, appendix, MALT

Question 2

What are the two general catergories of lymphoma?

Answer 2

1) Hodgkin lymphomas

2) Non-Hodgkin lymphomas

Question 3

What causes Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 3

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is idiopathic.

However, it may be linked to viruses (Epstein Barr), carcinogens and genetic and immune mechanisms.

Question 4

What is the pathophysiology of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 4

• malignant growth of lymphocytes in one lymph node or other peripheral lymphoid tissue
• usually spreads to adjacent lymph nodes
• tumour contains Reed-Sternberg cells

Question 5

What are the manifestations of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 5

• firm, painless, enlarged lymph node(s)

Question 6

What are B symptoms/systemic symptoms of lymphomas?

Answer 6

• fever
• night sweats
• weight loss

Question 7

How is Hodgkin’s lymphoma treated/managed?

Answer 7

• for early stages, chemotherapy followed by radiation to specific area involved
• for later stages, combination chemotherapy
• transplant may be considered in advanced disease

Question 8

What is the pathophysiology of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 8

• malignant growth of lymphocytes, usually of B lymphocytes, in multiple peripheral lymphoid tissues
• spreads unpredictably to other tissues (not just to adjacent lymphoid tissues)

Question 9

What causes Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 9

Etiology is unknown.

However, occurs more frequently in people with compromised immune system, viral infection (HIV, Epstein-Barr) or who have been exposed to certain toxins (agent orange).

Question 10

What are the manifestations of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 10

• painless enlargement of lymph nodes, if cancer is non-aggressive, this sign may come and go

Question 11

How is Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treated?

Answer 11

• if slow-growing, not very aggressive = “watchful waiting”

- combination chemotherapy for aggressive types