lymphatic pathology

Question 1

45. How can malignancy spread via the lymphatic system?

Answer 1

Tumour cells enter lymph → lymph nodes → bloodstream

Question 2

46. What is lymphadenitis? What are some of its causes?

Answer 2

Infected/inflamed lymph nodes due to infections like TB, typhoid, glandular fever

Question 3

47. What is lymphoedema and what typically causes it?

Answer 3

Swelling due to blocked lymph vessels (e.g. post-surgery, tumour)

Question 4

48. Differentiate between Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Answer 4

Hodgkin’s: predictable spread, Reed-Sternberg cells
Non-Hodgkin’s: variable pattern, often linked to immune suppression

Question 5

49. What is the consequence of lymphoma on immunity and blood?

Answer 5

Reduced immunity, anaemia, and leukopenia

Question 6

50. Name 3 conditions that can cause splenomegaly.

Answer 6

Infections (e.g. mono), liver disease (e.g. cirrhosis), blood disorders (e.g. leukaemia)

Question 7

51. What are the types of injury that can occur to the spleen in trauma?

Answer 7

Laceration, haematoma, active bleeding

Question 8

52. How does the spleen respond during haemorrhage?

Answer 8

Contracts and releases up to 350 ml of stored blood

Question 9

53. A 40-year-old patient has a swollen cervical lymph node and reduced immunity. A biopsy reveals Reed-Sternberg cells. What condition is likely?

Answer 9

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Question 10

54. A patient with HIV presents with generalised lymphadenopathy. What type of lymphoma is more likely?

Answer 10

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Question 11

55. After a mastectomy with axillary node removal, a patient develops arm swelling. What is the likely cause and why?

Answer 11

Lymphoedema due to lymphatic obstruction

Question 12

56. During imaging of a trauma patient, a radiologist sees a hypodense area in the spleen. What type of pathology could this suggest?

Answer 12

Splenic haematoma or laceration