Lymphoma

Question 1

What is lymphoma?

Answer 1

Neoplastic transformation of B and T lymphocytes in the lymphoid tissues

Question 2

What types of lymphoma are there?

Answer 2

They can be split into 2 categories

Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Question 3

What causes lymphoma?

Answer 3

Idiopathic

Immunodeficiency:

• primary
• secondary: HIV, transplant recipients

Infection:

• EBV
• Helicobacter pylori

Autoimmune disorders

Question 4

What’s the difference between Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s?

Answer 4

Distinguished by looking at a lymph node biopsy

Hodgkin’s contains Reed-Sternberg cells

Non-Hodgkin’s doesn’t

Question 5

What do Reed-Sternberg cells look like?

Answer 5

Large, abnormal lymphocytes

They may contain more than one nuclei

Question 6

Clinical features of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 6

Large, non-tender, painless, rubbery lymph nodes
Mostly cervical nodes

Fatigue
Lethargy
Pruritus

Question 7

How do you stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 7

Arbor staging

1: single node
2. two or more nodes on same side of diaphragm
3. Nodes on separate sides of diaphragm
4. Spread beyond nodes, e.g. liver or marrow

Question 8

Treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 8

Autologous bone marrow transplant

Chemotherapy

Question 9

Clinical features of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 9

Painless, peripheral lymph node enlargement

Other organs of the body can be involved, skin, oropharynx, etc.

Bone marrow involvement leads to anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia

Question 10

Treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 10

Chemotherapy: R-CHOP

Rituximab
C (don't bother)
H (don't bother)
Oncovin
Prednisolone

Question 11

Which is more likely to spread to other organs:

• Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 11

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Question 12

What is the name for the lymphoma that is caused by EBV virus?

Answer 12

Burkitt’s lymphoma