Haem: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Free MSRA Podcast

🎧 Deep Dive: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)🩸 A Diverse, Complex Group of Lymphatic Cancers — Made Clear.Feeling overwhelmed by Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma? This episode simplifies a massive topic into a clear, high-yield revision guide for the MSRA exam. We walk you through types, symptoms, staging, investigations, and management — all in under 20 minutes.🧠 What You’ll Learn✅ Definition• NHL = a group of lymphoproliferative cancers affecting B- or T-cells• Can be indolent (low-grade) or aggressive (high-grade)• May involve lymph nodes or extranodal sites (GI, CNS, skin)✅ Classification• By cell type: B-cell or T-cell• High-grade B-cell: DLBCL, Burkitt's• Low-grade B-cell: Follicular, MALT, Waldenström's• T-cell: Mycosis fungoides, EATL✅ Causes & Risk Factors• Genetic mutations, immune dysfunction• Viruses: EBV, HIV, HTLV-1, Hep C• Infections: H. pylori (MALT)• Immunosuppression, autoimmune disease• Chemical exposure (e.g. pesticides)✅ Pathophysiology• Clonal expansion of lymphocytes• Infiltrates lymph nodes, marrow, organs• Causes mass effect and immunosuppression✅ Differentials• Hodgkin’s lymphoma• Leukaemias• Metastatic cancer• Infective/reactive nodes• Autoimmune (e.g. SLE)✅ Epidemiology• 6th most common UK cancer (~13% of new diagnoses)• Risk ↑ with age; peak >75• DLBCL = most common (30–40%)✅ Clinical Features• Painless lymphadenopathy (neck, axilla, groin)• B symptoms: fever, night sweats, weight loss• Splenomegaly, fatigue, cytopenias• Extranodal signs: GI obstruction, CNS features, testicular/skin lesions✅ Investigations 🧪• FBC: Neutropenia, Anaemia, Thrombocytopenia (→ NAT)• LFTs, U&Es• Biopsy (excisional = gold standard)• Imaging: CT, PET-CT, MRI (if CNS)• Bone marrow ± lumbar puncture• Virology screen: HIV, HTLV-1, Hep C💡 Memory Tips• NAT = classic blood picture• DD = Biopsy = definitive diagnosis• SS = CT to "see spread"• B symptoms = “Body-wide signs”✅ Staging – Ann Arbor System• I = Single site• II = ≥2 regions, same diaphragm side• III = Both sides• IV = Extranodal spread• A = no B symptoms, B = systemic, E = extranodal site✅ Management Options• 🧘 Watchful waiting – asymptomatic low-grade• 💉 R-CHOP – standard for DLBCL• 💡 Radiotherapy – early or bulky disease• 🧬 CAR T-cell therapy – relapsed B-cell NHL• 🧪 Monoclonal antibodies (e.g. rituximab)• 💊 Supportive: vaccines, G-CSF, antimicrobials• 🔁 Stem cell transplant for refractory disease✅ Prognosis & Complications• Low-grade: indolent but incurable• High-grade: potentially curable• Risks: – Tumour lysis syndrome – Neutropenic sepsis – Bone marrow failure (NAT) – Organ compression/obstruction – Treatment toxicities📚 MSRA Revision Resources• 📘 NHL Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/non-hodgkins-lymphoma-revision-notes/• 🃏 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/non-hodgkins-lymphoma-flashcards/• 📖 Accordion Q&A: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/non-hodgkins-lymphoma-accordion-qa-notes/• 🧠 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/non-hodgkins-lymphoma-rapid-quiz/• 🎯 Practice Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/non-hodgkins-lymphoma/🌐 More platforms:https://www.passthemsra.comhttps://www.freemsra.com💭 Final ThoughtNon-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma isn’t just one diagnosis — it’s a spectrum. Learn the red flags, recognise key subtypes, and understand how treatment is evolving. These insights can power your MSRA prep and your clinical confidence.#MSRA #Haematology #NonHodgkinsLymphoma #DLBCL #RCHOP #CARTcellTherapy #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQuiz #PassTheMSRA #MSRARevisionWebsite #NHLDeepDive #LymphomaAwareness #FreeMSRA #MSRAPodcast