Lymphoma

Question 1

Lymphomas are

Answer 1

malignancies (cancers) that arise in lymphoid tissues (tissues satiated with leukocytes)
ex of tissues - lymph nodes, spleen, thymus & tonsils

Question 2

Hodgkins Lymphoma

Answer 2

group of cancers characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells. These cells begin malignancy in a single lymph node. Than spread to continuous lymph nodes.

Question 3

Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

Answer 3

Heterogeneous lymphatic cancers, meaning that it may spread to various tissues (including bone marrow) where it may disperse in numerous directions.

Question 4

Manifestations of both Lymphomas relate to

Answer 4

uncontrolled lymph node & lymphoid tissue growth, bone marrow involvement.

Question 5

Symptoms of both lymphomas include

Answer 5

fever, fatigue & weight loss which relate to rapid growth of abnormal lymphoid cells & tissue

Question 6

which lymphoma has the Reed-Sternberg cells

Answer 6

Hodgkins Lymphoma

Question 7

Hodgkins lymphoma etiology

Answer 7

largely idiopathic (unkown), proposed causes exposure to carcinogens & viruses as well as genetic

Question 8

Risks for Hodgkins Lymphoma:

Answer 8

• people w history of infectious mononucleosis
• if some blood related (in immediate family) has history of HL
• receiving long term immunosuppresive therapy
• working w some wood products
• exposure to herbicide agent orange

Question 9

Patho of Hodgkins lymphoma:

Answer 9

• unicentric (single center of origin)
• Initiates in single lymph node, typically above diaphragm
• spreads by contiguous extension (sequence extension) along lymphatic system
• Malignant cell of HL is Reed-sternberg cell

Question 10

what is the essential diagnostic criteria for Hodgkins lymphoma

Answer 10

Reed-Sternberg cells

Question 11

Manifestations of hodgkins Lymphoma

Answer 11

• painless enlargement of a single node or group of nodes, initial node usually above diaphragm
• decline in cellular immunity, more susceptible to viral infections (herpes zoster, fungal, protozoal)
• localized symptoms from compression of organs affected by tumor growth. Ex. cough & fluids in pleural cavity d/t tumor growth near lungs.
• B symptoms: systemic fever, chills, night sweats and weight loss of 10% or more

Question 12

Medical management of Hodgkins lymphoma

Answer 12

early stage (1&2) short course of chemotherapy, followed by radiation (general tx), for some only radiation 
advanced stage (3&4& all B stages) combination chemotherpay with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and darcrabazine

Question 13

general goal of Hodgkins lymphoma treatment is to _______ patient because

Answer 13

cure patient because survival rate is 80%

Question 14

treatment of Hodgkins lymphoma is determined by

Answer 14

stage of the disease

Question 15

Etiology of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma

Answer 15

primarily idiopathic

Question 16

Risks for Non-Hodgkins lymphoma

Answer 16

• people with immunodeficiencies & autoimmune disorders
• undergoing tx to cancer, have/had organ transplants, have viral infection such as epstein-barr virus or HIV
• exposure to pesticides, solvents &dyes (ex. Agent orange)
• age increase predisposition, as each progressive decade of life has increased causes of NHL

Question 17

patho for Non-hodgkins lymphoma

Answer 17

• can originate in any lymphoid tissue, most commonly in lymph nodes
• from there can spread throughout body into other tissues ex. liver, spleen, & bone marrow
• type of NHL determines path, ex. B cell lymphomas reproducing in B cell areas, T cell lymphomas multiplying in T cell areas
• patho & classification can also be determined by cell type affected, level of maturation & anatomic sites

Question 18

Mnfts of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

Answer 18

• swollen or enlarged lymph nodes
• less aggressive forms swollen lymph nodes can come and go
• symptoms may be nearly absent till later stages
• later stages bone marrow commonly involved
• decline in humoural immunity (T cells & B cells)
• Lymphomatous masses may compromise organ functioning
• B symptoms: persistent fever, drenching night sweats, and unintentional weight loss greater than 10%

Question 19

what is the most common mnfts of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

Answer 19

swollen or enlarged lymph nodes

Question 20

Medical management of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

Answer 20

• depends on type
• if form is mild & localized radiation alone may combat disease
• aggressive forms tend to require combination chemotherapeutic agents & radiation
• low grade lymphomas approved to utilize interferon(antivirals that disrupt replication)