Lymphoproliferative Disorders (HEME-301) | 100 High-Yield Exam Questions on Lymphomas, Leukemias & Plasma Cell Dyscrasias

This document offers 100 structured, exam-grade questions with verified answers on the topic of Lymphoproliferative Disorders, tailored for the HEME-301 hematology module at the University of Health Sciences for the 2025/2026 academic year. It presents a complete review of lymph node architecture, classification of lymphadenopathies, types of lymphoma and leukemia, and plasma cell disorders, optimized for students preparing for clinical assessments, pathology boards, or hematology modules. Key Topics Covered: Lymph Node Histology & Lymphadenopathy: Zones of B-cell and T-cell activity: germinal center, mantle, and paracortex Differentiation between benign vs malignant lymphadenopathy based on pain, architecture, clonality, and spread Lymphomas: Hodgkin vs Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma comparison: • Hodgkin – Reed-Sternberg cells (CD15, CD30), contiguous spread, EBV-associated, young adults/elderly • Non-Hodgkin – non-contiguous spread, multiple extranodal sites, B > T cells, HIV-associated Subtypes of Hodgkin Lymphoma: • Nodular sclerosis, lymphocyte-rich, mixed cellularity, lymphocyte-depleted, lymphocyte-predominant Subtypes of Non-Hodgkin: • Follicular (t14;18 → BCL-2), Mantle cell (t11;14 → cyclin D1), MALT (H. pylori associated), DLBCL, Burkitt lymphoma (t8;14 → c-MYC, starry-sky histology) Leukemias & T-cell Lymphomas: CLL/SLL: elderly patients, incurable but slow progression, del(11q, 17p) linked to worse prognosis T-cell lymphomas: mycosis fungoides, Sezary syndrome (cerebriform nuclei), lymphoblastic lymphoma/ALL (mediastinal mass in <20yo), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ vs ALK−) Plasma Cell Dyscrasias: Multiple Myeloma: CRAB features (hyperCalcemia, Renal involvement, Anemia, Bone lesions), IL-1/TNF-β/RANKL involvement, IgG production, rouleaux formation Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia: IgM production, hyperviscosity syndrome, hepatosplenomegaly MGUS: <5% clonal plasma cells, asymptomatic but risk of progression to multiple myeloma (~18%) This comprehensive exam aid is best suited for: Medical students in hematology, oncology, or pathology rotations Students preparing for USMLE, PLAB, AMC, COMLEX, NBME, and related exams Pharmacy, nursing, and PA students learning about hematologic cancers and diagnostic patterns Its detailed coverage of genetic translocations, surface markers, histologic findings, and patient demographics makes it a valuable tool for mastering both clinical and board-level understanding of lymphoproliferative diseases. Keywords: lymphadenopathy, lymphoma, Hodgkin, non-Hodgkin, Reed-Sternberg cells, CD15, CD30, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell, BCL-2, cyclin D1, c-MYC, DLBCL, Burkitt lymphoma, EBV, HIV, CLL, SLL, Sezary syndrome, mycosis fungoides, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK, multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, MGUS, CRAB, IgG, IgM