Lymphoblastic lymphoma
Key points
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are cancers of lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system).
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas can be slow-growing (low-grade) or rapidly growing (high-grade) cancer.
- Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include flank pain.
- Treatment Treatment depends upon the stage of the disease.
Alternative names
Lymphoma - non-Hodgkin's; Lymphocytic lymphoma; Histiocytic lymphoma; Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; Cancer - non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Definition
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are cancers of lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas can be slow-growing (low-grade) or rapidly growing (high-grade) cancer. For most patients, the cause is unknown, but lymphomas may develop in people with suppressed immune systems as a result of organ transplantation, for instance.
The tumors are graded according to their level of malignancy (aggressiveness)- low-grade, intermediate-grade or high-grade. Burkitt's tumor is an example of a high-grade lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's tumors occur more frequently than Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Usually, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas affect people older than 50. High-risk groups include organ transplant recipients and immunosuppressed people. The incidence is 3 in 10,000 people.
Symptoms
- Enlarged lymph nodes (such as an armpit lump), isolated or widespread
- Fever
- Excessive sweating, with night sweats
- Unintentional weight loss
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include flank pain.
Signs and tests
Tests that may indicate non-Hodgkin's lymphoma include:
- A peripheral blood smear showing abnormal white blood cells
- A CBC with differential
- A lymph node biopsy
- A bone marrow biopsy
A staging evaluation (tumor staging) to determine the extent of the disease includes:
- A physical examination
- CT scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis
- A lymphangiogram
- An exploratory laparotomy or liver biopsy
- Blood chemistry tests
- MRI or other x-ray study may also be performed
- A PET scan, (positron emission test)
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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