Neoplasia/Hematology - Mechanisms of Disease - Lymphomas Flashcards
What are the three ‘B symptoms’ of lymphoma?
- Night sweats
- Fever
- Weight loss
What does it mean for a lymphoma to be stage I?
And stage II?
Only 1 lymph node involved;
≥2 lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm
What does it mean for a lymphoma to be stage III?
And stage IV?
≥2 lymph nodes involved with involvement on both sides of the diaphragm;
metastatic disease
What does it mean if a lymphoma is stage Ib (or stage IIb or IIIb or IVb)?
(I.e. what does the ‘b’ mean?)
The stage + ‘B symptoms’
(B symptoms = night sweats + fever + weight loss)
What chemo regimen is used for Hodgkin’s lymphomas?
ABVD + radiotherapy
What chemo regimen is used for non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas?
R-CHOP
Reed-Sternberg cells are positive for what two CD markers in particular?
CD15; CD30
What marker would be an indicator that a population of leukocytes examined under flow cytometry are blasts (immature)?
CD34
What is a smudge cell?

Lymphocytes squished during smear preparation
What heuristic can be used to determine what a patient’s bone marrow cellularity should be?
100% - their age
(E.g. a 60 year old woman would have an expected cellularity of ~40%)
Why might you order an echocardiogram on a patient being prepared for treatment for leukemia?
Many chemotherapeutic drugs are cardiotoxic
In what way can flow cytometry of light chains be used to determine if there is a monoclonal lymphoproliferation?
The normal 3-to-1 kappa:lambda ratio is skewed nearly 100% in one direction
(i.e. all kappa or all lambda)
What is the most common form of leukemia?
What is the median age of diagnosis?
CLL
70
What is the most common leukemia seen in children?
And adults?
ALL;
CLL
What mutation is common to follicular lymphomas?
What is overexpressed because of this mutation?
t(14 ; 18)
Bcl-2
Name the diseases associated with each of the following translocations:
t(8 ; 14)
t(9 ; 22)
t(14 ; 18)
t(11 ; 14)
Burkitt lymphoma
CML
Follicular lymphoma
Mantle cell lymphoma
You note that a proliferation of B cells is positive for t(11 ; 14), and it is Sox-11+.
What is the likely diagnosis?
Note: it is also CD5+, CD20+, and CD23-
Mantle cell lymphoma
(t(11 ; 14) leads to increased cyclin-D1 expression)
Name a few translocations associated with marginal zone lymphomas.
t(11 ; 18)
t(11 ; 14)
t(1 ; 14)
You note that a proliferation of B cells is positive for t(14 ; 18), and it is CD10+.
What is the likely diagnosis?
Follicular lymphoma
(increased expression of Bcl-2)
Mantle cell lymphoma is associated with the t(11 ; 14) mutation which increases cyclin-D1 expression. What effect does cyclin-D1 have on the cell?
Increased progression of G1 to S
(increased activation of Rb and E2F)
What are the two basic subtypes of acute lymphocytic leukemia?
B cell (more common);
T cell
Which type of ALL typically involves the bone marrow?
Which typically presents as a lymphoma of the anterior mediastinum?
B-ALL (more common);
T-ALL
How/where does T cell ALL typically present?
Lymphoma of the anterior mediastinum
What is the hallmark sign of acute leukemias (ALL; AML) on blood smear examination?
Presence of blasts

A 16 year old male presents with easy brusing, pallor, weakness, and vomiting. A workup reveals thrombocytopenia, anemia, and a pronounced increase in WBCs.
You note the presence of many blasts on smear.
How do you quickly differentiate between ALL and AML?
ALL — no Auer rods
AML — Auer rods present in blasts
True/False.
Some lymphoproliferative disorders such as CLL may be characterized by monoclonal B cells that are also found on flow cytometry to express some T cell receptors (e.g. CD5) with their B cell receptors.
True.
True/False.
CD markers below 10 are characteristic of B cells and CD markers above 10 are characteristic of T cells.
False.
CD markers below 10 are characteristic of T cells (e.g. CD1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8) and CD markers above 10 are characteristic of B cells (e.g. CD19, 20, 21).
What are the differences between CLL, SLL, and MBL?

What is necessary for a diagnosis of CLL?
B cell count > 5,000
(lymphadenopathy / extranodal disease may or may not be present)

How are CLL and SLL (small lymphocytic leukemia) differentiated on blood analysis?
CLL: B cell count > 5,000 (mostly in blood and bone marrow)
SLL: B cell count < 5,000 (mostly in lymph nodes)

What is necessary for a diagnosis of SLL?
B cell count < 5,000
+
lymphadenopathy / extranodal disease

What is necessary for a diagnosis of MBL (monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis)?
A largely elevated B cell count still < 5,000
(with no lymphadenopathy or extranodal disease — that would make it SLL)

Monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis is a potential precursor to what?
CLL
What system is used for classifying the severity of CLL?
The Rai system

What can cause thrombocytopenia, anemia, and an increased risk of infection in leukemia patients?
Bone marrow out-crowding by proliferating cells
CLL is most common in what age, race, and gender?
Older caucasian males
A patient is incidentally diagnosed with CLL. He is currently asymptomatic.
How do you proceed?
Do not treat until S/Sy present
(up to 1/3 of patients may not have significant S/Sy before death from other causes)
What are the two main categories of lymphoma?
Hodgkin’s;
Non-Hodgkin’s
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is characterized by what cell type?
Reed-Sternberg cells
Lymphomas are all characterized by enlargement of what tissue type?
Lymphoid tissue
You suspect lymphoma in a patient with swollen lymph nodes.
What is the gold standard for diagnosis?
Excisional biopsy

How does a lymph node present when activated?
And when lymphoma is present?
Reactive (increase number of germinal centers);
nodular/follicular pattern

Name two methods by which malignant cells can be checked for specific surface molecules.
Flow cytometry;
immunohistochemistry
You identify a population of B cells on flow cytometry that are CD5+.
What condition is present?
CLL
(CD5 is normally a T cell CD marker)
What system is used for staging lymphomas?
The Ann Arbor system

What is the 5-year survival rate for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
87%
What is the most common type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
How is its prognosis?
Nodular sclerosing;
good
What is the least common type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
How is its prognosis?
Lymphocyte depleted;
poor
What CD markers are present in classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Which are absent?
CD30+ , CD15+
CD20- , CD45-

Classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma makes up ___% of cases.
What type makes up the remainder?
Classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma makes up 95% of cases.
nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Name the four main types of classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma in decreasing order of frequency.
- ________ ________
- ________ ________
- Lymphocyte-rich
- Lymphocyte-depleted
- Nodular sclerosis
- Mixed cellularity
- Lymphocyte-rich
- Lymphocyte-depleted
Name the four main types of classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma in decreasing order of frequency.
- Nodular sclerosis
- Mixed cellularity
- ________-________
- ________-________
- Nodular sclerosis
- Mixed cellularity
- Lymphocyte-rich
- Lymphocyte-depleted
Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma (responsible for 5% of cases) is characterized by what cell type?
Popcorn cells

Reed-Sternberg cells:
CD15__ , CD20__ , CD30__ , CD45__
Popcorn cells:
CD15__ , CD20__ , CD30__ , CD45__
Reed-Sternberg cells:
CD15+ , CD20- , CD30+ , CD45-
Popcorn cells:
CD15- , CD20+ , CD30- , CD45+
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas can first be divided into what two major categories?
B-cell derived;
T-cell derived
What are the two major categories of non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphomas?
Large cell (aggressive);
small cell (indolent)
Which form of leukemia can be classified as either a leukemia or a non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma?
CLL (/ SLL)
Describe the S/Sy of aggressive (large cell) Non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphomas:
__________ growing masses
__________ _____ symptoms
Elevated ______
__________ painful lymphadenopathy
Describe the S/Sy of aggressive (large cell) Non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphomas:
Rapidly growing masses
Systemic B symptoms
Elevated LDH
Sometimes painful lymphadenopathy
Describe the S/Sy of indolent (small cell) Non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphomas:
_______ growing masses, _______megaly, cyto_____
_______dious
pain___ lymphadenopathy
Describe the S/Sy of indolent (small cell) Non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphomas:
Slowly growing masses, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia
insidious
painless lymphadenopathy
These are the S/Sy of __________ (______ cell) Non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphomas:
Rapidly growing masses
Systemic B symptoms
Elevated LDH
Sometimes painful lymphadenopathy
These are the S/Sy of aggressive (large cell) Non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphomas:
Rapidly growing masses
Systemic B symptoms
Elevated LDH
Sometimes painful lymphadenopathy
These are the S/Sy of _______ (______ cell) Non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphomas:
Slowly growing masses, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia
insidious
painless lymphadenopathy
These are the S/Sy of indolent (small cell) Non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphomas:
Slowly growing masses, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia
insidious
painless lymphadenopathy
Identify which is more likely to be ‘curable’:
Aggressive (large cell) non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas
or
Indolent (small cell) non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas
Aggressive (large cell) non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas
(presents much earlier and much more clearly)
Is the following an example of large cell (aggressive) or small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma?
Mantle cell lymphoma
Small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma
Is the following an example of large cell (aggressive) or small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma?
Hairy cell leukemia
Small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma
Is the following an example of large cell (aggressive) or small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma?
Marginal zone lymphoma
Small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma
Is the following an example of large cell (aggressive) or small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma?
Follicular lymphoma
Small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma
Is the following an example of large cell (aggressive) or small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma?
Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma
Small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma
Is the following an example of large cell (aggressive) or small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma?
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia / small lymphocytic leukemia
Small cell (indolent) non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma
Describe the similar presentations for all small cell lymphomas according to age, gender, expansion of monoclonal cells (involved markers?), and bodily locations.
Older males;
monoclonal Smlg+ (mature) B cells
Variably, blood and bone marrow
True/False.
Small cell lymphomas are proliferations of immature B cells.
False.
Small cell lymphomas are proliferations of mature B cells.
Name two proliferative diseases of B cells that express CD5.
CLL (/ SLL);
mantle cell lymphoma
Which is the most aggressive of the small cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas that has a poor survival rate?
Mantle cell lymphoma
What are the two most common forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
- Follicular lymphoma
Small lymphocytes are similar in size to what?
RBCs
What disease is associated with the leukocytes in this image?

Follicular lymphoma
(known as cleaved cells or ‘butt cells’)
Hairy cell leukemia is typically seen in what patient population?
(Age — race — gender)

Middle-aged caucasian men
Hairy cell leukemia is relatively _______ (common/rare).

Hairy cell leukemia is relatively rare.
What mutation leads to hairy cell leukemia?

BRAF
(specifically, the V600E variant also seen in melanoma)
Hairy cell leukemia is positive for what distinguishing clusters of differentiation?
Are there any other distinguishing molecules that are expressed?

CD11c, CD25, CD103;
TRAP
A 49 year old caucasian male presents with splenomegaly and you note pancytopenia on lab results. A peripheral smear shows the cell type in the attached image.
Further testing reveals that these cells are positive for a BRAF mutation, and they are also CD5-, CD10-, CD11c+, CD25+, CD103+, and TRAP+.
What is the likely diagnosis?

Hairy cell leukemia
How will a bone marrow aspirate appear in a patient with hairy cell leukemia?
Dry tap
(reticulin fibrosis and diffuse infiltrate on biopsy)
Name the one lymphoma type that is associated with any of the following:
Hashimoto’s disease (thyroid lymphoma) (MALT)
H. pylori (MALT)
Sjogren’s syndrome (salivary glands) (MALT)
Marginal zone lymphoma
Marginal zone lymphomas are a heterogenous group of proliferative disease that typically arise in the ____nodal ________ tissues (MALT); the ________; and _________ _________.
Marginal zone lymphomas are a heterogenous group of proliferative disease that typically arise in the extranodal lymphoid tissues (MALT); the spleen; and lymph nodes.
True/False.
Marginal zone lymphomas (e.g. MALT) often remain localized and sometimes regress if the inciting agent (e.g. H. pylori) is removed.
True.
True/False.
Marginal zone lymphomas are typically CD5- and CD10-.
True.
What is lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma?
Malignant B cells differentiating into plasma cells
Lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas that hypersecrete IgM (a type of macroglobulin) are known by what name?
This hypersecretion may lead to what?
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia;
hyperviscosity syndrome
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is a particular type of __________ lymphoma where hypersecretion of ____ (a type of macroglobulin) leads to hyperviscosity.
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is a particular type of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma where hypersecretion of IgM (a type of macroglobulin) leads to hyperviscosity.
Lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas are associated with what infectious agent?
Hepatitis C
True/False.
The hypoviscosity in some lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas (Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia) can lead to blindness, bleeding, neurological issues, and thermoglobulinemia (where IgM precipitates at warm temperatures, leading to Raynaud’s phenomenon and urticaria).
False.
The hyperviscosity in some lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas (Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia) can lead to blindness, bleeding, neurological issues, and cryoglobulinemia (where IgM precipitates at cold temperatures, leading to Raynaud’s phenomenon and urticaria).
How can monoclonal antibody production (e.g. in Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia or multiple myeloma) be easily diagnosed?
Serum protein electrophoresis
(clear M spike)
(SPEP)

What is the most common type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
True/False.
Diffuse large B cell lymphomas are often associated with MYC or Bcl-2 mutations.
True.
True/False.
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma often follows a fairly standard course with little variability.
False.
Many presentations (e.g. primary mediastinal, intravascular, primary effusion, primary cutaneous,
What are the two main categories of diffuse large B cell lymphoma?
- _______ B-cell-like
- _______ B-cell-like
- Germinal center B-cell-like
- Activated B-cell-like
Burkitt lymphoma is typically a(n) ______ aggressive, ______-grade malignancy.
Burkitt lymphoma is typically an extremely aggressive, high-grade malignancy.
Where is Burkitt lymphoma endemic?
Equatorial Africa
Where do most Burkitt lymphoma tumors typically arise on the body?
The jaw / face
What lymphoma is associated with EBV?
Burkitt lymphoma
True/False.
Burkitt lymphoma is basically a mature version of ALL.
True.
A man presents with large masses in his jaw and face. The cells in the masses are large lymphocytes with plentiful vacuoles (image attached below), and nearly all (~99%) are positive for Ki-67 (a marker of active cell proliferation). The cells are CD10+ and a t(8 ; 14) mutation is present.
The histology from the biopsies will appear with what general characteristic appearance?

‘Starry sky’ appearance
(Burkitt lymphoma)

What translocation is associated with Burkitt lymphoma?
The cells will be CD5___
The cells will be CD10___
t(8 ; 14)
The cells will be CD5-
The cells will be CD10+
The t(8 ; 14) mutation seen in Burkitt lymphoma leads to creation of what oncogene?
C-MYC
An unclassifiable lymphoma with characteristics of Hodgkin’s and diffuse large B cell lymphomas is known as what?
A gray zone lymphoma
A ‘triple-hit’ lymphoma is a highly aggressive, high-grade B cell lymphoma with what mutations?
- MYC*
- Bcl-2*
- Bcl-6*
What immunodeficiency-related lymphoproliferative disorder develops as a result of immunosuppression following transplant (solid organ, bone marrow, or stem cells) + infection with EBV?
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
(begins as mononucleosis-like lesions –> leads to B and T cell lymphomas)
The S/Sy of T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemias often present as:
A_________tic / ________ course
______megaly
_______cytosis
_______penia
The S/Sy of T cell large granular lymphomas often present as:
Asymptomatic / indolent course
Splenomegaly
Lymphocytosis
Neutropenia (may also be anemic)
Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with what lymphoma?
T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia
Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma is most common in what geographic regions?
Japan;
West Africa;
the Caribbean
True/False.
Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma follows a relatively benign course and has no cutaneous lesions.
False.
Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma follows a relatively aggressive course and has cutaneous lesions.
Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma often causes what bone or skin or serum abnormalities?
Osteolytic lesions;
cutaneous lesions;
hypercalcemia
Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma is associated with what infectious agent?
HTLV-1
Nasopharyngeal NK or T cell lymphomas are most common in what geographic region(s)?
How does they typically present?
Asia;
aggressive, destructive nasopharyngeal mass (often midline)
True/False.
T cell lymphomas are often aggressive and difficult to treat.
True.
What is mycoses fungoides (/ Sézary syndrome)?
What specific cell type is involved?
A T cell lymphoma that causes cutaneous lesions;
CD4+ cells
What is the basic progression of the lesions seen in mycosis fungoides?
Patch –> Plaque –> Tumor
The T cells in mycosis fungoides are unique in that they are CD__+ and CD__-.
The T cells in mycosis fungoides are unique in that they are CD4+ and CD7-.
True/False.
Mycosis fungoides is typically indolent but progressive.
True.
What is the most common form of T cell lymphoma?
In what gender is it more common?
Peripheral T cell lymphoma;
males (2:1)
Anaplastic large cell lymphomas are rare and typically CD___+.
They are often characterized by a t(__ ; __) mutation.
Anaplastic large cell lymphomas are rare and typically CD30+.
They are often characterized by a t(2 ; 5) mutation.
True/False.
Anaplastic cell lymphomas are often aggressive, ALK+, present in older adults, and they typically respond poorly to chemotherapy.
False.
Anaplastic cell lymphomas are often aggressive, ALK+, present in children/young adults, and they typically respond well to chemotherapy.
Multiple myeloma is a neoplasm of what cell type?
Plasma cells
What are the main S/Sy of multiple myeloma?
CRAB
HyperCalcemia
Renal dysfunction
Anemia
Bone pain
Where are the proliferating plasma cells of multiple myeloma typically found?
Colonizing the bone marrow
The immunoglobulins secreted by multiple myeloma cells are referred to as what?
The M component
True/False.
The M component of multiple myeloma is mostly associated with elevated IgG levels, but it can be any of the following: IgG, IgA, IgM, or just light chains.
(Note: the M component is a homogenous secretion — i.e. a particular case of MM will only produce one of the options listed above at a time.)
True.
What is the most common cause of death in multiple myeloma?
Infection
How does the bone marrow appear in multiple myeloma?
What is seen on peripheral smear?
Punched-out, lytic lesions;
roleaux formation
In the attached image of multiple myeloma cells, what is the lighter shaded area of the cell adjacent to the nucleus (note: this is seen in several lymphomas)?

The enlarged Golgi apparati
(highlighted below)

How is the M component of multiple myeloma measured and classified?
Serum protein electrophoresis
+
Immunofixation (e.g. checking gamma vs. lambda monoclonal production)
In an asymptomatic patient, you identify that they have a proliferation of plasma cells in their bone marrow replacing < 10% of the bone marrow cellularity. Upon further investigation, you identify a small M spike (<3 g/dL) .
What is the diagnosis?
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
(MGUS)
How often does monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance progress to multiple myeloma?
Rarely
(typically follows benign course)
What malignancy is strongly associated with EBV infection and the appearance in this micrograph?
(Clear vacuoles within leukocytes in peripheral smear)

Burkitt lymphoma
(Burkitt has bubbles)