Small cell lymphoma
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: SLL
Overview
Small cell lymphoma (also known as SLL) is a type of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia that presents primarily in the lymph nodes.
Historical Perspective
- Small cell lymphoma was first discovered by Dr. George Minot, an American physician, in 1924.[1]
Classification
- Small cell lymphoma may be classified according to [classification method] into [number] subtypes/groups:
- [group1]
- [group2]
- [group3]
- Other variants of small cell lymphoma include [disease subtype 1], [disease subtype 2], and [disease subtype 3].
Pathophysiology
- The pathogenesis of small cell lymphoma is characterized by the malignant infiltration of lymphocytic cells into the bone marrow, where they interfere with the production of red blood cells and platelets.
- Small cell lymphoma arises from pre-follicular center B cells that are normally involved in the process of human immunoglobulins production.
- Genes involved in the development of small cell lymphoma, include:
- Chromosome 11 long arm deletion
- Chromosome 13 long arm deletion (most common genetic mutation)
- Chromosome 17 short arm deletion
- Trisomy 12
- On gross pathology, characteristic findings of small cell lymphoma, include:
- On microscopic histopathological analysis, characteristic findings of small cell lymphoma, include:
Causes
- There are no established causes for small cell lymphoma.
Differentiating Small Cell Lymphoma from Other Diseases
- Small cell lymphoma must be differentiated from other diseases that cause [clinical feature 1], [clinical feature 2], and [clinical feature 3], such as:
- [Differential dx1
- [Differential dx2]
- [Differential dx3]
Epidemiology and Demographics
- The prevalence of small cell lymphoma is low, they represent 90 % of all chronic lymphocytic leukemias in the United States.
- In [year], the incidence of small cell lymphoma was estimated to be [number or range] cases per 100,000 individuals in [location].
Age
- Patients of all age groups may develop small cell lymphoma.
- Small cell lymphoma is more commonly observed among patients aged [age range] years old.
- Small cell lymphoma is more commonly observed among [elderly patients/young patients/children].
Gender
- Small cell lymphoma affects men and women equally.
- [Gender 1] are more commonly affected with small cell lymphoma than [gender 2].
- The [gender 1] to [Gender 2] ratio is approximately [number > 1] to 1.
Race
- There is no racial predilection for small cell lymphoma.
- Small cell lymphoma usually affects individuals of the [race 1] race.
- [Race 2] individuals are less likely to develop small cell lymphoma.
Risk Factors
- Common risk factors in the development of small cell lymphoma are [risk factor 1], [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
- The majority of patients with small cell lymphoma remain asymptomatic for [duration/years].
- Early clinical features include [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
- If left untreated, [#%] of patients with small cell lymphoma may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
- Common complications of small cell lymphoma include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
- Prognosis is generally [excellent/good/poor], and the [1/5/10year mortality/survival rate] of patients with small cell lymphoma is approximately [#%].
Diagnosis
Symptoms
- Small cell lymphoma is usually asymptomatic.
- Symptoms of small cell lymphoma may include the following:
- [symptom 1]
- [symptom 2]
- [symptom 3]
- [symptom 4]
- [symptom 5]
- [symptom 6]
Physical Examination
- Patients with small cell lymphoma usually appear [general appearance].
- Physical examination may be remarkable for:
- [finding 1]
- [finding 2]
- [finding 3]
- [finding 4]
- [finding 5]
- [finding 6]
Laboratory Findings
- Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of small cell lymphoma, include:
Imaging Findings
- There are no [imaging study] findings associated with small cell lymphoma.
- [Imaging study 1] is the imaging modality of choice for small cell lymphoma.
- On [imaging study 1], small cell lymphoma is characterized by [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
- [Imaging study 2] may demonstrate [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- There is no treatment for small cell lymphoma; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
- The mainstay of therapy for small cell lymphoma is [medical therapy 1] and [medical therapy 2].
- [Medical therapy 1] acts by [mechanism of action1].
- Response to [medical therapy 1] can be monitored with [test/physical finding/imaging] every [frequency/duration].
Surgery
- Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for small cell lymphoma.
- [Surgical procedure] in conjunction with [chemotherapy/radiation] is the most common approach to the treatment of small cell lymphoma.
- [Surgical procedure] can only be performed for patients with [disease stage] small cell lymphoma.
Prevention
- There are no primary preventive measures available for small cell lymphoma.
- Effective measures for the primary prevention of small cell lymphoma include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].
- Once diagnosed and successfully treated, patients with small cell lymphoma are followed-up every [duration]. Follow-up testing includes [test 1], [test 2], and [test 3].
References
- ↑ Rai KR (1993). "Progress in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a historical perspective". Baillieres Clin Haematol. 6 (4): 757–65. PMID 8038488.