Lymphoma Flashcards
What age group is most commonly affected by Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Bimodal age distribution with peaks 15-35 years and then >50 years
In which sex is Hodgkin’s lymphoma more common?
Men
Describe the characteristic features of Reed Sternberg cells in Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Owl’s eyes appearance where there is a double nucleus
What are Hodgkin’s cells?
Large mononuclear neoplastic cells seen in Hodgkin’s lymphoma
In classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma, neoplastic cells are ‘crippled’. What is meant by this term?
They are incapable of secreting immunoglobulins
Which virus may play a role in the aetiology of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Epstein-Barr virus
In Hodgkin’s lymphoma the majority of the tumour is made up of neoplastic Reed–Sternberg and Hodgkin’s cells. T/F?
False - the majority. of the tumour is made up of other types of cells including fibroblasts, lymphocytes, granulocytes. and plasma cells
What is the most common presentation of classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Assymmetrical and painless lymphadenopathy - usually in the cervical region
Systemic symptoms affect a minority of patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at presentation. What are these symptoms?
Fever Sweats (particularly at night) Weight loss Pruritus Fatigue
Lymphocyte predominant nodular Hodgkin’s lymphoma has a more indolent course of disease than classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma. T/F?
True
Lymphocyte predominant nodular Hodgkin’s lymphoma can transform into what other type of lymphoma?
Large B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
What is the key investigation in the diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Lymph node biopsy
What tests are required for staging of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
FBC
Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy
Imaging (usually CT(
Describe the Ann-Arbor system for staging Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Stage 1) single node involved
Stage 2) multiple nodes involved on the same side of the diaphragm
Stage 3) multiple nodes involved on different sides of the diaphragm
Stage 4) Extra-nodal involvement
(A) denotes absence and (B) denotes presence of B symptoms
Describe the management of early stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Combination of chemotherapy (ABVD regimen) and radiotherapy
What is the prognosis of Hodgkin lymphoma?
Prognosis is good with cure rates of around 90% for early stage disease
What are the possible late effects of treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma?
Secondary malignancy Cardiac disease Lung damage Sterility Endocrine dysfunction
What is the most common haematological malignancy?
Non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
What are the two most common subtypes of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Follicular lymphoma
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Which cell type does non-hodgkin lymphoma most commonly arise from?
B cells
What is the most common presentation of non-hodgkin lymphoma?
Painless lymphadenopathy, usually in the cervical region
What complications may result from enlarged nodes in non-hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Superior vena cava syndrome
Hydronephrosis
What symptoms can result from extra nodal involvement of non-hodgkin lymphoma in the intestines?
Vague abdominal pain
Anaemia (due to bleeding)
Dysphagia
What are the potential symptoms of CNS disease which can occur in non-hodgkin lymphoma?
Headache
CN palsies
Spinal cord compression
