Haem: Lymphoma MDT (Laz) Flashcards

1
Q

What are some sites lymphoma may be found?

A
  • lymph nodes, bone marrow, blood
  • lymphoid tissue: GALT, spleen
  • other: kidney or sanctuary sites: CNS, eye, testes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Outline the difference in prevalence of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

A
  • NHL = 80%
  • Hodgkin = 20%
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How can lymphoma be divided?

A
  • HL
    • classical
    • lymphocyte predominant
  • NHL
    • B cell
      • precursor
      • mature/peripheral
        • low grade
        • high grade
    • T cell
      • precursor
      • mature/peripheral
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Outline the processes by which immunoglobulins and T cell receptors become capable of identifying a wide variety of antigens.

A
  • The germline VDJ genes undergo recombination in the bone marrow to generate a wide repertoire of specificities.
  • In germinal centres, a second stage of DNA alteration involving isotype switching and somatic hypermutation (point mutations) generates even more diversity.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the main downside of the processes that generate variety in immunoglobulins and TCR?

A
  • Recombination errors and new point mutations can occur
  • Lymphocytes are reliant on apoptosis to keep their massive proliferation under control (90% of lymphocytes die in the germinal centre)
  • If a mutation turns off apoptosis, it can lead to malignancy or autoimmunity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Outline how chromosomal translocations in B cells can lead to malignancy.

A
  • Immunoglobulin gene promoters in B cells are highly active because they are designed to produce loads of immunoglobulin
  • If an error occurs and an oncogene is translocated downstream of the promoter, malignant genes can be expressed
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

List some oncogenes that are implicated in lymphoma/leukaemia.

A
  • Bcl2
  • Bcl6
  • Cyclin D1
  • c-Myc
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

List some risk factors that contribute to the aetiology of NHL lyphoma.

A
  • Constant antigenic stimulation
    • chronic bacterial infection or chronic AI condition
  • Infection
    • HTLV1 passed in breastfeeding
  • EBV in loss of T cell function
    • HIV or immunosuppression
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

List some examples of how constant antigenic stimulation can lead to lymphoma.

A
  • H. pylori → gastric MALT marginal zone NHL of the stomach
  • Sjogren syndrome → marginal zone NHL of the parotid
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: MZL thyroid
  • Coeliac disease → small bowel T cell lymphoma, enteropathy-associated T cell NHL
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

List two examples of viral infections that can lead to lymphoma.

A

Direct viral integration: HTLV1

  • HTLV1 infects T cells by vertical transmission
  • May cause adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma (very aggressive)
  • Caused by viral genome integrating into T cell genome and driving proliferation
  • Also present with tropical spastic paraparesis

EBV infection and immunosuppression

  • EBV established latent infection in B cells which is kept in check by cytotoxic T cell (kill EBV antigen-expressing B cells)
  • Loss of T cell function (e.g. HIV, post-transplant immunosuppression) can lead to EBV-driven lymphoma
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

List some different types of tissues of the lymphoreticular system.

A
  • Generative tissue: bone marrow and thymus (generates or matures lymphoid cells)
  • Reactive tissue: lymph nodes and spleen (development of immune reaction)
  • Acquired tissue: extra-nodal lymphoid tissue (e.g. skin, stomach, lung - responsible for developing a local immune response)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

List the different cell types of the lymphoreticular system.

A

Lymphocytes:

  • B cells
  • T cells

Accessory cells:

  • Antigen-presenting cells
  • Macrophages
  • Connective tissue cells
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the normal histological appearance of a lymph node.

A
  • These are rounded areas full of B cells (B cell follicles)
  • The mantle zone is a crescent-shaped region where naïve unstimulated B cells are found
  • These naïve B cells will eventually migrate into the germinal centre, and mature B cells will end up in the medulla
  • T cells are found in T cell areas surrounding the B cell follicles
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the composition of T cell areas in lymph nodes.

A
  • Consists of lots of T cells, antigen-presenting cells and high-endothelial venules
  • This is the site where T cells bind to antigens and are selected/activated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the main technique used to identify different types of lymphocyte within a lymph node biopsy?

A

Immunohistochemistry: stain with antibody with specific cell-surface receptor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the main markers used for B and T cells?

A

T cell = CD3, CD5

B cell = CD20

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define lymphoma.

A
  • Neoplastic proliferation of lymphoid cells forming discrete tissue masses
  • They arise in and involve lymphoid tissues
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Which factors are taken into account when classifying a lymphoma?

A
  • Clinical
  • Histological
  • Immunohistochemical
  • Molecular
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Outline the WHO classification of lymphoma.

A

Hodgkin lymphoma

  • Classical
  • Lymphocyte predominant

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

  • B cell (MOST COMMON)
    • Precursor B cell neoplasm
    • Peripheral B cell neoplasm (low and high grade)
  • T cell
    • Precursor T cell neoplasm
    • Peripheral T cell neoplasm
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Why is non-Hodgkin lymphoma often disseminated at presentation?

A

Neoplastic lymphoid cells circulate in the blood leading to disseminated disease at presentation

NOTE: lymphoid neoplasms can disrupt normal immune functioning leading to immunodeficiencies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Which lymphomas are often not disseminated?

A

HL

some very early NHL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Lymphoma types

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the diagnostic tools used by pathologists when investigating lymphoma?

A
  • Cytology (from aspiration)
  • Histology (architecture: nodular (follic), diffuse (CLL); cells: small round (CLL, MCL), small cleaved (follic), large (high grade))
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Loss of normal surface proteins: T cell
  • Expression of abnormal proteins (e.g. cyclin D1 an Mantle cell lymphoma + hairy cell leuk)
  • Light chain restriction
  • Molecular tools
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Which molecular tools are used when investigating lymphoma?

A
  • FISH - identify chromosomal translocations
  • PCR - identify chromosomal translocations, clonal T cell receptor of Ig gene rearrangement
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Give an example of a chromosomal translocation that is diagnostic of lymphoma.

A

11;14 = Mantle Cell Lymphoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Give an example of a chromosomal translocation that is prognostic in lymphoma.

A

2;5 = anaplastic large cell lymphoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

List some types of low grade lymphoma.

A
  • Follicular lymphoma
  • Small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL)
  • Marginal zone lymphoma
  • Mantle cell lymphoma (aggressive)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Name a type of high grade lymphoma.

A

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

How does follicular lymphoma typically present?

A

Lymphadenopathy in middle-aged or elderly patients

NOTE: it is usually indolent but can transform into a high-grade lymphoma

30
Q

Describe the histological features of follilcular lymphoma.

A
  • Follicular pattern - the follicles are neoplastic and spread from the node into adjacent tissues
  • Cells have a germinal centre cell origin (positive staining for CD10 and Bcl6)
31
Q

Which molecular feature is associated with follicular lymphoma?

A

14;18 translocation involving Bcl2 gene

32
Q

Describe the typical presentation of small lymphocytic lymphoma.

A

Lymphadenopathy or high blood lymphocyte count in middle-aged or elderly patients

33
Q

Outline the histological features of small lymphocyte lymphoma.

A
  • Small lymphocytes
  • Arise from naïve B cells or post-germinal centre memory B cells
  • Cells are CD5 and CD23 positivie
  • They replace the entire lymph node so that you can no longer identify follicles or T cell areas
34
Q

Immunohistochemistry in follicular cell lymphoma

A

detection of Bcl-2 expression by B cells in follicle

35
Q

What is the term used to describe the transformation of small lymphocytic lymphoma into a higher grade lymphoma/leukaemia?

A

Richter transformation

36
Q

Small lymphocytic lymphoma/ CLL histopathology

A

small lymphocytes

small nuclei

naive or post germinal centre B cells

abnormal expression of CD5 and CD23+

37
Q

What is marginal zone lymphoma?

A
  • Arise mainly in extra-nodal sites (e.g. gut, spleen)
  • Thought to arise due to chronic antigenic stimulation
  • Arise from post-germinal centre memory B cells
  • Low-grade disease can be treated by non-chemotherapeutic methods (e.g. H. pylori eradication)
  • indolent but can transform
38
Q

Outline the typical presentation of mantle cell lymphoma.

A
  • Typically affects middle-aged males
  • Affects lymph nodes and the GI tract
  • Often present with disseminated disease

NOTE: median survival = 3-5 years

39
Q

Outline the key histological features of mantle cell lymphoma.

A
  • Located in the mantle zone of the lymph node
  • Arise from pre-germinal centre cells
  • Show aberrant expression of cyclin D1 and CD5
  • infiltrates normal epithelial tissue in the area
40
Q

Which molecular features are characteristic of mantle cell lymphoma?

A
  • 11;14 translocation
  • Cyclin D1 overexpression

3-5 year median survival

41
Q

Outline the typical presentation of Burkitt’s lymphoma.

A
  • Jaw or abdominal mass in children and young adults
  • Associated with EBV
  • endemic or sporadic

NOTE: this is very agressive

42
Q

Outline the histological features of Burkitt’s lymphoma.

A
  • Arises from germinal centre cells
  • Starry sky appearance (macrophages mopping up apoptotic cells)
43
Q

Which molecular feature is associated with Burkitt’s lymphoma.

A
  • c-Myc translocation (8;14, 2;8 or 8;22)
44
Q

Outline the typical presentation of diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

A

Middle-aged and elderly patients with lymphadenopathy

45
Q

Outline the histological features of diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

A
  • Arise from germinal centre (CD10+) or non/post-germinal centre B cells (CD10-)
  • Sheets of large lymphoid cells
  • Lymph node is effaced so follicles and germinal centres cannot be identified
46
Q

List some prognostic association of diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

A

Good prognosis - germinal centre phenotype

Poor prognosis - p53-positive and high proliferation fraction

47
Q

Outline the typical presentation of T cell lymphomas.

A

Middle-aged and elderly patients with lymphadenopathy

NOTE: these are aggressive but rarer

48
Q

Outline some key histological features of T cell lymphomas.

A
  • Large T lymphocytes
  • Associated reactive cell population (especially eosinophils)
  • larger nuclei
49
Q

List some types of T cell lymphoma and their associations.

A
  • Adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma - HTLV1
    • Carribean and Japan but now everywhere!
    • arises from CD4+
  • Enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma - Coeliac disease
    • CD8+ intraepithelial
    • ulcerated small bowel lesions: poor prognosis
  • Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides)
    • CD4+ infiltrates epidermis and forms abscess
  • Anaplastic large cell lymphoma
50
Q

Outline the typical presentation of anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

A

Children and young adults with lymphadenopathy

NOTE: this is aggressive

51
Q

Outline the key histological features of anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

A
  • Large epithelioid lymphocytes
  • T cell or null phenotype (anaplastic)
  • weird shape nuclei
52
Q

Which molecular features are associated with anaplastic large cell lymphoma?

A
  • 2;5 translocation
  • Alk-1 protein expression - BETTER prognosis
53
Q

List some key differences between Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

A
  • Hodgkin is more localised (usually one nodal site)
  • Hodgkin spreads contiguously to adjacent to adjacent lymph nodes

NOTE: NHL tends to involve multiple lymph node sites and spread discontinuously

54
Q

Outline the typical presentation of classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

A
  • Young and middle-aged patients with only a single group of lymph nodes involved
  • Associated with EBV
55
Q

How can classical HL be divided?

A
  1. nodular sclerosing
  2. mixed cellularity
  3. lymphocyte rich and lymphocyte depleted
56
Q

Outline some histological features of classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

A
  • Nodular sclerosis
  • Mixed cell population of Reed-Sternberg cells
  • owl’s eye
  • Lymphoma cells are few in number and are scattered around- mainly reactive cells instead
  • Eosinophils
  • Arise from germinal centre or post-germinal centre cells
57
Q

What are the diagnostic markers for Hodgkin lymphoma?

A
  • CD15 +
  • CD30 +
  • CD20 -
58
Q

Describe the typical presentation of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.

A
  • Isolated lymphadenopathy
  • NO association with EBV
59
Q

Outline the key histological features of lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.

A
  • B cell rich nodules
  • Singularly scattered L&H cells
  • Reactive population in the background consisting of small lymphocytes
  • NO eosinophils and macrophages
60
Q

Which markers are key in the diagnosis of lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma?

A
  • Positive = CD20
  • Negative = CD15, CD30 (unlike classical Hodgkin lymphoma)
  • germinal centre B cell
61
Q

What constitutional symptoms may be present in a patient with lymphoma?

A

B symptoms - fever, night sweats, weight loss

Pruritis

62
Q

What are the stages of lymphoma?

A

1 = 1 group of nodes

2 = > 1 group of nodes on the same side of the diaphragm

3 = > 1 group of nodes above and below the diaphragm

4 = extranodal spread

Suffic ‘B’ if B symptoms are present

63
Q

Which type of scan is often used to stage lymphoma?

A

FDG-PET/CT

64
Q

Which treatment modalities are used in Hodgkin lymphoma?

A
  • All patients receive chemotherapy
  • Radiotherapy is often used because Hodgkin lymphoma is very responsive
  • Referred to as ‘combined modality’ if both are used
65
Q

Which chemotherapy regimen is usually used for Hodgkin lymphoma?

A

ABVD: Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vincristine, Dacarbazine

NOTE: this is usually given at 4-weekly intervals for 2-6 cycles

66
Q

What are some possible long-term consequences of chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma?

A

Pulmonary fibrosis

Cardiomyopathy

67
Q

What is a risk of radiotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma?

A

Collateral damage to surrounding tissues

68
Q

How might a relapse of Hodgkin lymphoma be treated?

A
  • High-dose chemotherapy
  • Autologous stem cell transplant

NOTE: intensifying chemotherapy will lead to an increased cure rate but it will also lead to an increase in secondary cancers

69
Q

Describe the curability of Hodgkin lymphoma.

A

Stage I and II: >80%

Stage IV: 50%

70
Q

Difference between small lymphocytic lymphoma and CLL?

A

if patient presents with enlarged nodes vs blood symptoms