Approach to lymphadenopathy

Question 1

What are causes of lymphadenopathy? and what are differentials?

Answer 1

Order:
- reactive
- bacteria infection (regional)
- viral infection (generalised)
- metastatic malignancy
- lymphoma

Question 2

What symptoms increase your suspicion of a lump being lymphoma?

Answer 2

Drenching night sweats
Itch without rash, alcohol induced pain, fatigue

Question 3

How to classify lymphomas? and what are some characteristics to remember about each?

Answer 3

T cell NHL - poor prognosis, hard to treat
B cell NHL - 90% of NHL, a lot better to treat (low grade & high grade, depends on rate of mitosis)