hematology and oncology
Non Hodgkin Lymphomas
Symptoms and Signs of Non Hodgkin Lymphomas
Most patients present with Asymptomatic peripheral lymphadenopathy Enlarged lymph nodes can be rubbery and discrete and later coalesce into masses. Affected nodes are usually not painful, unlike the tender nodes that often occur with viral infections. Nodal involvement is localized in some patients, but most patients have several areas affected. The initial physical examination should carefully look for nodes in the cervical, axillary, inguinal, and femoral regions. In some patients, enlarged mediastinal and retroperitoneal nodes press on nearby structures, leading to symptoms. The most important of these are Compression of the superior vena cava (SVC): Shortness of breath and facial edema ( Regional spread ) Compression of the external biliary tree: Jaundice Compression of the ureters: Hydronephrosis Bowel obstruction: Vomiting and obstipation Interference with lymph drainage: Chylous pleural or peritoneal fluid or lymphedema of a lower extremity Theskinis involved in some non-Hodgkin lymphomas. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma can affect the scalp (follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma) or the legs (large cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma), typically causing slightly raised, erythematous nodules. In cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, skin lesions can be diffuse, nonpalpable erythema or discrete papules, plaques, or tumors. (eg, Fatigue , fevers, night sweats, Anemiais initially present in some patients and eventually develops in many. It may be caused by bleeding due to gastrointestinal lymphoma, with or without low platelet levels; hemolysis due to hypersplenism or Coombs’-positive hemolytic anemia; bone marrow infiltration due to lymphoma; or bone marrow suppression due to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. which is associated with human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1), has a fulminating clinical course with skin infiltrates, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and Overview of Leukemia . The leukemic cells are malignant T cells, many with convoluted nuclei. may cause rapidly progressive skin lesions, adenopathy, and visceral lesions. This disease may be mistaken for Hodgkin Lymphoma or metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma. 