Pathophysiology of HL
Diagnostic Testing
100

What is the most common type of HL?

Nodular Sclerosis

Bonus Question: What lymph node(s) does Nodular Sclerosis HL present in first?

100

According to WHO, what is absolutely necessary for the definitive diagnosis for lymphoma?

Answer: Lymph node biopsy (or tissue biopsy depending on presentation of lymphoma)

200

What is the precursor to Reed-Steinberg cells?

B-lymphocytes (in germinal centers)

200

What does a high ESR indicate?

Answer: Inflammation in the red blood cells


    Bonus question: How is the ESR measured? What is the difference between ESR & CRP?

300

Theorize - How does EBV lead to potential increase in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

EBV infects B-cells, leading to insertion of genome and proliferation/mutation in B-cells to proliferate RS cells

300

Point to both your left supraclavicular lymph node and right axillary lymph node.

What is the supraclavicular lymph node in between? What about the axillary lymph node?

400

List the five types of Hodgkin’s Lymphomas and one histological characteristic that makes them unique from the other subtypes.

Classical

Nodular Sclerosis - fibrous bands, lacunar cells


Lymphocyte rich - Increase in mature lymphocytes, low amount of RS cells


Mixed cellularity - no fibrous bands, premature RS cells + inflammatory infiltrates


Lymphocyte depleted - low mature lymphocytes; high RS cells

Non-classical

Lymphocyte Predominant - No RS cells, but popcorn cells (giant, multilobed nucleus)

500

A 28-year-old female presents with a 3-month history of painless swelling in her neck and intermittent fever, night sweats, and weight loss. 

Fast forward a week later, you have told the unfortunate news to the same patient that they have been diagnosed with Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The good news is that you caught it early and it looks like a good prognosis. Walk through how you came to this definitive diagnosis, and what you ordered.

WBC with differential: Normal

ESR: elevated

LDH: elevated

CRP: elevated


PBS: RS Cells


Lymph node biopsy: Lacunar cells + fibrous bands


Flow Cytometry: CD15+, CD30+