Lymphoma Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a blood cancer that affects the immune/lymphatic system.
What are the two main types of lymphoma?
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
What characterizes Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Presence of Reed-Sternberg cells and better prognosis.
What is the most common type of lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Who is most affected by Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Typically affects the elderly (75+) and is 30% more common in men.
What are the main risk factors for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- Age
- Caucasians
- Family history
- History of viral infection (EBV)
- History of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- Chemical exposure (pesticides, solvents)
- Autoimmune diseases (SLE, Sjogren’s, coeliac)
- Immunodeficiency (transplant, HIV, DM)
What are the hallmark symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- Painless lymphadenopathy
- B symptoms: Fever, Weight Loss, Night Sweats, Lethargy
What extra-nodal symptoms are more common in Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- Gastric: dyspepsia, dysphagia, abdominal pain
- Bone marrow: pancytopenia, bone pain
- CNS: nerve palsies
What are the common signs of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- Lymphadenopathy (cervical, axillary, inguinal)
- Palpable abdominal mass (hepatomegaly, splenomegaly)
- Testicular mass
- Fever
What is the first investigation for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Excisional node biopsy.
What staging system is used for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
LUGANO staging. Or Letter staging
What is the treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- Watchful waiting
- Chemotherapy (CHOP)
- Radiotherapy
- Rituximab
What are common complications of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- Bone marrow infiltration (anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia)
- Superior vena cava obstruction
- Metastasis
- Spinal cord compression
- Treatment-related complications
What are the survival rates for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- 80% 1-year survival
- 65% 5-year survival
- 55% 10-year survival
What is Burkitt’s lymphoma characterized by?
- B cell neoplasm
- c-myc gene translocation t(8:14)
What are the two types of Burkitt’s lymphoma?
- Endemic (African) - form in maxilla/mandible
- Sporadic (common in HIV)
What is the typical appearance of Burkitt’s lymphoma in blood investigations?
‘Starry sky’ appearance.
What is the management for Burkitt’s lymphoma?
- Chemotherapy
- Rasburicase
What is Hodgkin’s lymphoma characterized by?
Presence of Reed-Sternberg cells.
What is the bimodal age distribution for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
3rd and 7th decades.
What are the key symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- Lymphadenopathy (often cervical/supraclavicular)
- B symptoms: Fever, Weight Loss, Night Sweats
- Mediastinal mass
Fever additonal symptoms unlike NHL
What is the standard chemotherapy regimen for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine).
How is Hodgkin’s lymphoma staging classified?
Ann Arbor classification.
+ Lugano and additional letter staging
What is the prognosis for Hodgkin’s lymphoma compared to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Better prognosis.
