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Extranodal Lymphomas

  

About Lymphoma > Types of Lymphoma > Extranodal

Last updated: 01/03/2008

   Overview | Cutaneous | Gastric | Hepatic | Conjunctival / Ocular / Eyelid / Orbital |
Osteo (bone)
| Oral | Testis 

Overview
Extranodal
Extra nodal means that the primary area of presentation of the lymphoma is not in the lymph nodes. 
Extranodal can be further categorized as primary or secondary, with "primary" indicating that the lymphoma first presented itself in an extranodal site. 
 Some kinds of extranodal lymphomas are: bone, breast, eye, oral, skin, etc.
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Extranodal lymphomas: "Lymphomas do not only only arise in lymph nodes. Many arise [or present] in non-lymphoid sites such as the skin and gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is the most common extra-nodal site for follicular lymphomas, the most common nodal based type of lymphoma." - thedoctorsdoctor.com 

What is lymphoma? Briefly, lymphomas result when DNA damage or changes occurs to an immune cell (a lymphocyte) that alters the behavior of the cells. The damage to DNA results in the abnormal production of proteins that prevents the cells from dying when they should, or causes sustained rapid cell division that produces more of its kind. These malignant cells then may accumulate to form tumors that may enlarge the lymph nodes or spread to other areas of the lymphatic system, such as the spleen or bone marrow. Lymphoma can also spread or first appear outside the lymphatic system -- and is called extranodal disease. 

The underlying pathology (the type of cell, it's stage of maturation, it's genetic characteristics, etc.) further classifies the extranodal lymphoma. These properties may be more relevant to the the likely behavior of the lymphoma and the best types of treatments.

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What's New in Cutaneous Lymphomas?  (2006, Technical) http://cutaneouslymphoma.stanford.edu/  pdf 
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Questions for your doctor - Patients Against Lymphoma
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Prognostic Factors in Primary Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma: The Italian Study Group for Cutaneous Lymphomas. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Feb 21; PMID: 16492713
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Case analysis: Extranodal follicular lymphoma: a clinicopathological and genetic analysis of 15 cases arising at non-cutaneous extranodal sites. Histopathology. 2004 Mar;44(3):268-76. PMID: 14987231 | Related articles

The low incidence of t(14;18) and favourable outcome encountered in Extranodal Follicular Lymphoma ( ENFL) in this study is similar to that previously found for primary cutaneous FL. 

These results support the concept of a subtype of FL lacking t(14;18) involving the major breakpoint cluster region, and with a propensity to arise at extranodal sites. Despite a high relapse rate, patients with ENFL are more likely to achieve complete remission and may ultimately have a more favourable long-term prognosis than those with equivalent nodal disease.
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Extranodal nonorbital indolent lymphomas of the head and neck: relationship between tumor control and radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2004 Jul 1;59(3):788-95.  PMID: 15183482 | Related articles
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[1375] Extranodal Follicular Lymphoma - a Retrospective Review and Comparison with Localized Nodal Follicular Lymphoma. Session Type: Poster Session 529-I - ASH 2004 | Terms of Use
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Radiotherapy Suitable for Most Primary Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphomas  cancerpage.com 

NEW YORK JAN 02, 2008 (Reuters Health) - Radiotherapy is appropriate for most patients with primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCL), according to a recent Dutch study, but more aggressive treatment is needed in patients presenting with lesions on the leg.
Common Extranodal Types:
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Breast 

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Cutaneous  skin

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Hepatic liver

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Ocular / orbital eye

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Osteo bone

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Oral mouth

OTHER EXTRANODAL TYPES
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Follicular lymphoma of the salivary gland: a clinicopathological and molecular study of six cases. Int J Surg Pathol. 2001 Oct;9(4):287-93. PMID: 12574844
BREAST 
TOPIC SEARCH: PubMed
Primary malignant 
Lymphoma of the Breast
Also see 
MALT - Areas of Presentation

 

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"Primary lymphoma of the breast is rare, accounting for 1.7-2.2% of extranodal lymphomas and 0.38-0.7% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL)." [1]
 

  1. Primary malignant lymphoma of the breast: clinicopathological study of nine cases. Leuk Lymphoma. 2004 Feb;45(2):327-30. PMID: 15101719
 
CUTANEOUS (B cell and T cell Lymphomas presenting in the skin)
TOPIC SEARCH: Cutaneous lymphomas - PubMed: Review | Treatment | Rituxan
Images 

 

Also see 
Side Effects
> Rashes

Cutaneous lymphomas present in the skin, and can have distinct clinical courses depending on the underlying pathology.

"Ultimately, the utility of any classification system is to predict behavior of each cancer and help to direct therapy. The EORTC classification is one system that does a fine job of organizing the myriad of names of cutaneous lymphomas. 

Briefly, cutaneous lymphomas can be divided into T and B cell lineage, with T cell lymphomas the most common. Within these divisions, further distinctions based upon the clinical behavior can be gleaned." -
thedoctorsdoctor.com 

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Standard and new treatments in cutaneous B-cell lymphomas. J Cutan Pathol. 2006 Feb;33 Suppl 1:47-51. Review. PMID: 16412212 | Related articles
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Lymphoma of the Skin (Nov_28_02) - asheducationbook.org 
 
Joseph M. Connors, Eric D. Hsi and Francine M. Foss Abstract- 
Scroll down to Section III for Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
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T-Cell Lymphoma Presenting as Benign Dermatoses - includes images - aafp.org
Recommended reading:
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Lymphoma of the Skin Joseph M. Connors, Eric D. Hsi and Francine M. Foss Abstract- asheducationbook.org

"Describes the various ways in which the non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas can involve the skin, how these diseases should be assessed, standard treatments available in 2002, and new directions in research. 

The goal of the session is to succinctly review recent developments in lymphoma classification and treatment as they apply to the unique aspects of lymphoma when manifest in the skin. "
Classifications:
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Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (HTLV-1)

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CD30+ Lymphomas

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Follicular Center Cell Lymphomas of the Skin

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Gamma-Delta Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
Also see T-cell Lymphomas - PAL

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Granulomatous slack skin

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Immunocytoma

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Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma 

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Large B-cell lymphoma of the leg

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Lymphomatoid papulosis

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Mycosis fungoides

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Sezary syndrome

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Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma

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T-Cell Rich B-Cell Lymphoma of the Skin 
Also see T-cell Lymphomas - PAL

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Woringer-Kolopp Disease (Pagetoid Reticulosis)

Clinical trials for cutaneous lymphomas - ClinicalTrials.gov

Related Abstracts

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Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma responds to rituximab: A report of five cases and a review of the literature. Leuk Lymphoma. 2006 Sep;47(9):1902-7. PMID: 17065004  | related articles

We treated five patients, each with either extensive lesions, severe comorbidities or who refused treatment with radiation therapy, with rituximab given as a single agent for four weekly intravenous infusions...
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Photopheresis Followed by Immunotherapy Improves Responses in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma  - 411cancer.com
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Intralesional therapy with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab in primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. Arch Dermatol. 2000 Mar;136(3):374-8. PMID: 10724200 
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Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a clinicopathologic study of 15 cases. Am J Clin Pathol. 2002 Apr;117(4):574-80. PMID: 11939732 - PubMed
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Cutaneous follicle center lymphoma: a clinicopathologic study of 19 cases.
Mod Pathol. 2001 Sep;14(9):828-35. PMID: 11557777  - PubMed
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Cutaneous presentation of follicular lymphomas.
Mod Pathol. 2001 Sep;14(9):913-9. PMID: 11557789  - PubMed
Primary Gastric Lymphomas (PGL)
PubMed Topic Search: Primary Gastric Lymphomas
Primary Gastric Lymphoma

Also see MALT lymphomas

 
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"Primary gastric lymphoma "account for 7% to 20% of all lymphoma, and the gastrointestinal tract is the most common extranodal site of lymphoma. PGL is the most common lymphatic tumor of the GI tract." [1]
 

  1. Chemotherapy Preferable to Surgery for Primary Gastric Lymphoma - Medscape (free login required)
  2. Primary gastric lymphoma.
    World J Gastroenterol. 2004 Jan;10(1):5-11. Review. PMID: 14695759
Hepatic (Lymphomas presenting in the liver)
PubMed Topic Search: Primary hepatic lymphomas
LIVER (HEPATIC)
Also see 
MALT - Areas of Presentation
 
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"Primary hepatic lymphoma is extremely rare. Only around 110 cases have been reported in world literature." [1]
 

  1. Primary hepatic lymphoma, single institution experience Year: 2002 - Abstract No: 2643

Intra-Vascular

Intra-Vascular
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About Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma 
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Intra-Vascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma Revealed by a Nephrotic Syndrome: A One Year Remission Induced by a High Frequency CHOP and Rituximab. Leuk Lymphoma. 2004;45(8):1703-1705. PMID: 15370230 | Related articles

Ocular / Orbital (Lymphoma presenting in the eye)
TOPIC SEARCH: PubMed: Secondary orbital | ocular adnexal | radiotherapy for primary orbital
Ocular/Orbital
Also see 
MALT - Areas of Presentation

adnexa - Appendages of the eyeball, which includes the eyelids, muscles and soft tissue.

Eye Cancer Network - 
Glossary:

eyecancer.com
 

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Conjunctival Lymphoma
 

"Lymphomas can also occur in the conjunctiva. These tumors look like salmon-colored patches on the eye and can be a sign of systemic lymphoma." [1]
 
  1. Conjunctival Lymphoma - www.eyecancer.com 
  2. Subconjunctival interferon-alpha for the treatment of conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma - .biologictherapy.org

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Ocular Lymphomas:
 

"Primary ocular lymphoma, an infrequent neoplasm, typically represents a diagnostic challenge masquerading as uveitis or vitritis." [1]
 

  1. About Ocular Lymphoma - MEEI Immunology Service

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Lymphomas affecting the eyelid (adnexa):
 
This extranodal area of presentation is not very common but can occur in b-cell lymphomas, most often MALT. For further reading, see lymphomainfo.net  

TOPIC SEARCH: PubMed

Adnexa " [Add-Nex-ah] - Appendages. Structures around the eye that support and surround it (e.g. the eye lids)." eyecancer.com 

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Orbital Lymphomas:
 
"Lymphomas of the orbit may arise spontaneously, or may be associated with the development of systemic lymphoma.  These lesions may cause a painless, unilateral proptosis (#22128) or may manifest as a salmon patch- like thickening protruding into the conjunctiva"

  1. About Orbital Lymphoma -  insight.med.utah.edu | szp.swets | Nature
  2. About localized -  haematologica.it 
  3. Ocular Adnexal Lymphomas:
    TOPIC SEARCH   PubMed
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    Linked to Chlamydia psittaci Infection (an infection common to 
    pet birds and transmitted to humans)  - ASCO 2003 (2273) 
    | Related PubMed abstracts
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Research News:
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The common antibiotic doxycycline effectively treats a type of lymphoma associated with chlamydia infection - biologynews.net  

"The authors found that doxycycline treatment caused lymphoma to regress in both patients who did not test positive for the disease and those who did. They suggest that doxycycline may be a useful therapy even in patients where other treatments have failed, and it is a valid alternative to chemotherapy and radiation without causing the same toxic side-effects. Patients treated with doxycycline had a 66% rate of disease-free survival."
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Topical therapy selective for neoplastic cells - iwant2020.com 
Is it an alternative to radiotherapy for Lymphomas?
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Radiotherapy for extranodal, marginal zone, B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue originating in the ocular adnexa: a multiinstitutional, retrospective review of 50 patients. Cancer. 2003 Aug 15;98(4):865-71. PMID: 12910532 - Pubmed | Related abstracts
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Curative radiotherapy for primary orbital lymphoma.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2002 Nov 1;54(3):818. PMID: 12377334  - PubMed
Oral (Lymphomas presenting in the mouth)
TOPIC SEARCH: PubMed: oral lymphomas
Oral
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 "Extranodal lymphoma in the oral cavity may be the first manifestation of lymphoma or may be part of a disseminated process.  Extranodal oral lymphoma of soft tissue is typically a nontender, poorly circumscribed, compressible, soft tissue enlargement, sometimes with erythema and ulceration of the overlying mucosa."  [1]

  1. Malignant Neoplasms of Oral Mucosa - dentalcare.com 
  2. Images  - ama-assn.org | oralpathlab.com
Osteo (Lymphomas presenting in the bone)
TOPIC SEARCH: PubMed:  Bone lymphoma: 67Ga scintigraphy | Primary NHL Of bone
OSTEO (Bone)
Regarding new involvement in bone: "A lot of times when follicular lymphoma involves bone, it does so locally, and it's an extension of lymph nodes growing into bone.
On the other hand, bone involvement in follicular lymphoma is generally uncommon, particularly if it's diffusely in many bones. I've got to watch those terms. Under those circumstances I always have a healthy suspicion about transformation, but I have seen patients with follicular lymphoma with multiple bone sites who did not transform. So you really have to try to get a biopsy that tells you the answer." Dr. Horning

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"Malignant lymphoma of bone is rare. In many cases, its diagnosis is delayed because of unspecific clinical signs and equivocal radiographs." [1] "

"The data demonstrate that primary lymphoma involving the bone has an excellent prognosis. Patients with PBL treated with combined modality versus single modality therapy were found to have a superior outcome, with a significantly better survival. Cancer 2006. (c) 2006 American Cancer Society."

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About - bonetumor.org

  1. Malignant lymphoma of bone. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2002 Feb;122(1):10-6.
    PMID: 11995873 - PubMed | Related abstracts
  2. Excellent long-term survival in patients with early-stage primary bone lymphoma treated with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy and local radiotherapy. Am J Clin Oncol. 2002 Dec;25(6):603-5. PMID: 12478009 - PubMed
  3. Importance of combined-modality therapy for primary bone lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma. 2003 Oct;44(10):1837-9. PMID: 14692546 | Relate abstract
  4. Primary bone lymphoma: Treatment results and prognostic factors with long-term follow-up of 82 patients. Cancer. 2006 May 12; PMID: 16700039 | Related articles 

    "The data demonstrate that primary lymphoma involving the bone has an excellent prognosis. Patients with PBL treated with combined modality versus single modality therapy were found to have a superior outcome, with a significantly better survival. Cancer 2006. (c) 2006 American Cancer Society."

Testis

Testis
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Primary follicular lymphoma of the testis: excellent outcome following surgical resection without adjuvant chemotherapy. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2004 Feb;26(2):104-7. Review. PMID: 14767197 | Related abstracts
 
Disclaimer:  The information presented on Lymphomation.org is not intended to be a substitute for 
professional medical advice or to replace your relationship with a physician.
For all medical concerns,  you should always consult your doctor. 
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