Lymphoma Flashcards
what is a lymphoma?
clonal proliferation of lymphocytes arising in a lymph node or associated tissue
what are the 2 types of lymphoma?
hodgkin lymphoma and non-hodgkin lymphoma
which type of lymphoma is more common?
non-hodgkin
what are the symptoms of lymphoma?
fever, swelling of face and neck, lump in neck/armpits/groin, excessive sweating at night, unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite, breathlessness, feeling of weakness
what does the staging of lymphoma require?
CT/PET/MRI
what does staging assess?
number of nodes involved and site, extra-nodal involvement and systemic symptoms
what is stage 1 of lymphoma?
single lymph node region
what is stage 2 of lymphoma?
two or more sites on same side of diagram
what is stage 3 of lymphoma?
both sides of diaphragm or spleen
what is stage 4 of lymphoma?
diffuse involvement of extralymphatic sites and nodal disease
what is the clinical presentation of hodgkin lymphoma?
painless lymphadenopathy, fever, night sweats, weight loss, itching, infection
what is the aetiology of non-hodgkin lymphoma?
microbial factors (EBV, HIV), autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis), immunosuppression (post-transplant)
what is the presentation of NHL?
lymphadenopathy, extra-nodal disease, symptoms of marrow failure, constitutional symptoms less common (fever)
what is the prognosis of NHL?
> 50% will relapse after treatment, poor prognosis if untreated
what is a multiple myeloma?
malignant proliferation of plasma cells
what are the features of multiple myeloma?
monoclonal paraprotein in blood and urine, lytic bone lesions causing pain and fracture, excess plasma cells in bone marrow causing marrow failure
what are the signs of multiple myeloma?
infection, bone pain, renal failure and amyloidosis
what is used to treat haematological malignancies?
chemotherapy, radiotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, haemopoietic stem cell transplantation
what are the concepts of treating haematological malignancy?
induction, remission, maintenance and consolidation, relapse
what sort of supportive therapy is used for the treatment of haematological malignancies?
nutrition, psychological and social support, prevention and treatment of infection, managing symptoms of therapy side effects, correcting marked blood component deficits, pain control
what cells does chemotherapy target?
cells with high turnover rate
what are the side effects of chemotherapy?
hair loss, nausea and vomiting, tiredness
what is radiotherapy?
cytotoxic effect of ionising radiation
what are monoclonal antibodies?
antibodies produced to specific cancer cell antigens
