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Sub-Category:

Mediastinal Tumors (Primary or secondary involvement of the mediastinum)

Number of Conditions: 1

Lymphomas

Specialty: Pulmonology

Category: Neoplastic Conditions

Sub-category: Mediastinal Tumors (Primary or secondary involvement of the mediastinum)

Symptoms:
enlarged lymph nodes (in the chest or other areas); persistent cough; shortness of breath; chest pain; fever; night sweats; unexplained weight loss; fatigue

Root Cause:
Malignancies of the lymphatic system involving abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes, often in the lymph nodes or extranodal lymphatic tissues such as the thymus. Common types include Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through imaging (CT, PET scan, or MRI), lymph node biopsy, and laboratory tests such as blood counts and immunophenotyping. Bone marrow biopsy may also be performed for staging.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on the type and stage. It may include chemotherapy (e.g., R-CHOP regimen for non-Hodgkin lymphoma or ABVD for Hodgkin lymphoma), radiation therapy, targeted therapies like rituximab (monoclonal antibody), and stem cell transplantation in refractory or relapsed cases.

Medications:
Chemotherapy regimens include cyclophosphamide (alkylating agent), doxorubicin (anthracycline), vincristine (vinca alkaloid), and prednisone (corticosteroid). Targeted therapy such as rituximab (monoclonal antibody against CD20) or brentuximab vedotin (antibody-drug conjugate) may also be prescribed.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Hodgkin lymphoma represents about 10% of all lymphomas, while non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most common cancers globally. Mediastinal involvement occurs in 60-80% of Hodgkin cases and in certain subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, immunosuppressive conditions (e.g., HIV/AIDS), exposure to Epstein-Barr virus (for Hodgkin lymphoma), exposure to herbicides or pesticides, and prior chemotherapy or radiation.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies depending on type and stage. Hodgkin lymphoma has an overall 5-year survival rate of approximately 85-90%, while non-Hodgkin lymphoma varies widely from 40-90%, depending on subtype and stage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Potential complications include organ infiltration, immune system dysfunction, infections, secondary malignancies (due to chemotherapy or radiation), and complications from treatment (e.g., cardiotoxicity, pulmonary fibrosis).