Etymed
non-hodgkin lymphoma
Definition
A type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, specifically in lymphocytes, but does not have the specific cellular characteristics of Hodgkin's lymphoma
Clinical context
A 45-year-old man presents with painless lymphadenopathy in the cervical and axillary regions. Physical examination reveals multiple enlarged lymph nodes that are firm and non-tender. Biopsy shows small, uniform lymphocytes without the characteristic Reed-Sternberg cells. Flow cytometry demonstrates CD20 positivity. The patient is diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Mnemonic
NHL - No Hodgkin Cells, Just Lymphocytes
These morphemes also unlock…
- non- — not
- Hodgkin — named after Thomas Hodgkin (English physician)
- lymph/o — lymph
- -oma — tumor; mass