Navigating Lymphoma
Navigating Lymphoma: The Role of Hematopathology
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system and causes the formation of tumors in lymph nodes or other lymphoid tissues. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) are the most common types of lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable forms of cancer and some patients with fast-growing NHL can be cured ¹. For patients with slow-growing NHL, treatment may keep the disease in check for many years.
Both types of lymphoma require a meticulous approach to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing monitoring. Hematopathologists are trained to diagnose diseases of the blood cells, making this laboratory specialty vital to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of lymphoma.
Diagnosis of Lymphoma
When a patient presents with symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and/or abnormal laboratory testing, hematopathology can help uncover the underlying cause. Through techniques like lymph node biopsy and flow cytometry, hematopathologists analyze tissue samples to identify characteristics that might be indicative of lymphoma.
HL and NHL come from different types of cells. Accurate diagnosis is important because the treatment and prognosis of lymphoma depends on the stage and type.
Hodgkin Lymphoma
About 12 percent of people with lymphoma have HL, which is now a highly curable condition thanks to the success of recent medical research ². HL is caused by abnormal growth of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and it is typically treated with chemotherapy and radiation. Stem cell transplantation is sometimes considered for cases that don’t respond to initial treatment.
HL is distinguished from other types of lymphoma by the presence of a special type of cell called Reed-Sternberg cells. Other cells associated with the disease are called Hodgkin cells. These differences can be observed under a microscope and further identified by special hematopathology tests, which helps them determine a patient’s HL subtype.
The cause of HL is unknown, but there are some risk factors that make it more likely to develop ³. These factors include past infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, a family history of HL, and having a weakened immune system due to conditions like HIV infection, immune-suppressing medications, or autoimmune diseases.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
NHL is one of the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for about 4% of all cancers ⁴. NHL affects the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, but unlike Hodgkin lymphoma, it does not involve Reed-Sternberg cells. It is treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and, in some cases, stem cell transplantation.
There are some risk factors for NHL, although its cause is unknown. Exposure to certain chemicals like benzene and certain herbicides and insecticides has been linked to a potential increase in the risk of NHL.
Chemotherapy drugs used for other cancers and certain medications for rheumatoid arthritis such as methotrexate and TNF-inhibitors may pose a risk of NHL development as well. More research is needed to accurately determine and confirm these additional risk factors ⁵.
Monitoring Treatment
Once diagnosed, hematopathologists can help oncologists create a personalized treatment plan. Different subtypes of lymphoma require different types of treatment. Through specialized testing, hematopathologists determine the specific characteristics of the lymphoma, and their results guide the selection of treatment therapies.
During treatment, hematopathologists help monitor the patient’s response. Regular assessments, including laboratory tests and repeat biopsies, allow them to evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen therapy. They look at changes in the size and activity of lymph nodes, as well as alterations in blood markers. This ongoing surveillance ensures that adjustments can be made to the treatment plan as needed.
Even after successful treatment, hematopathologists continue to help monitor patients during remission to detect any signs of disease recurrence. Their expertise enables early intervention in the event of relapse, offering patients the best possible chance of achieving long-term remission and maintaining their quality of life.
Choose HNL Lab Medicine for Your Lab Testing
HNL Lab Medicine has everything patients need, including an expert hematopathology team. It’s natural to feel scared when faced with the possibility of a lymphoma diagnosis, but you can trust in our hematopathologists to process your laboratory testing with diligence and care.
The expertise, dedication, and precision of our hematopathology team saves lives and helps patients access the most appropriate treatments for their illness.
Know that at HNL Lab Medicine, we’re here not only to address your medical needs but also to offer a compassionate hand to guide you through every aspect of your journey.
REFERENCES
¹ The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (2022). Lymphoma. https://www.lls.org/lymphoma.
² American Society of Hematology. (2024). Lymphoma. https://www.lls.org/lymphoma/hodgkin-lymphoma.
³ The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (2022). Hodgkin’s lymphoma. https://www.lls.org/lymphoma/hodgkin-lymphoma.
⁴ American Cancer Society. (2024, January 17). Key statistics for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/about/key-statistics.html.
⁵ American Cancer Society. (2024, February 15). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk factors. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html.