Hematologic Malignancies


Ovid: Oncology and Basic Science


Editors: Tornetta, Paul; Einhorn, Thomas A.; Damron, Timothy A.
Title: Oncology and Basic Science, 7th Edition
> Table of Contents > Section II – Specific Bone Neoplasms and Simulators > 9 – Hematologic Malignancies

9
Hematologic Malignancies
Valerae O. Lewis
Hematologic malignancies such as lymphoma and myeloma
can manifest in bone, and these osseous manifestations can often be the
first presentation of the systemic disease. After metastatic disease,
myeloma and lymphoma are the second and third major categories in the
differential diagnosis of an aggressive bone lesion in an adult. To
avoid unnecessary surgery and to create a definitive treatment plan, it
is important to become familiar with the presentation and the work-up
of these lesions. Often the orthopaedic surgeon is the first to
diagnose these diseases; however, surgical intervention may not be
required. In addition, because the principles for treatment of
hematologic malignancies differ so greatly from sarcomas, the diagnosis
must be established before initiation of treatment.
Lymphoma
The vast majority of cases of lymphoma involving bone
are non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is not a
single disease, but a group of closely related B- and T-cell cancers of
the lymphatic system. B-cell lymphomas represent 85% of NHL cases.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can start in the lymph nodes or lymphatic tissue
such as the spleen, stomach, or skin, and because lymphocytes circulate
throughout the lymphatic vessels and bloodstream, abnormal lymphocytes
can reach any organ. Thus, lymphoma can manifest in any organ. In fact,
along with lung carcinoma, lymphoma is one of the most common
malignancies that may manifest as soft tissue metastases.
Epidemiology
  • Incidence of NHL is increasing.
    • Worldwide incidence has risen steeply from the 1970s to the 2000s.
    • From a relatively rare disease to the fifth most common cancer in the United States
  • Purported reasons for rise
    • Increasing exposure to chemicals
    • Increasing incidence of viral infections
    • Increasing incidence of organ transplantation
    • Increasing number of blood transfusions
Classification
  • Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms (REAL) (Table 9-1)
    • Most common types: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (45%) and follicular (25%) lymphomas
  • Clinical classification
    • Low grade (indolent), intermediate, or aggressive (high grade)
    • Based on the natural history of the disease
  • Modified Ann Arbor Staging System (Table 9-2)
    • Describes extent of disease
      • International Prognostic Index (IPI: an excellent prognostic tool)

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        • Clinical stage (I/II versus III/IV)
        • Number of extranodal sites (0 or 1 versus >1)
        • Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) (normal versus >1)
        • Age at diagnosis
        • Performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG])
      • The IPI can identify prognostic groups,
        and for patients with IPI >2 peripheral stem cell or bone marrow
        transplantation should be considered.
Table 9-1 Real (Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms) Classification of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
B-cell Lymphoma T-cell Lymphoma
Precursor B-cell lymphomas Precursor T-cell lymphomas
B-lymphoblast T-lymphoblast
Mature B-cell lymphomasFollicular
Marginal zone nodal
Extranodal marginal zone (MALT)
Splenic marginal zone
Lymphoplasmacytic
Mantle cell
Diffuse large B-cell
Primary mediastinal large B-cell
Burkitt-like
Burkitt’s
Mature T-cell lymphomas
Mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome
Peripheral T-cell
Anaplastic large T/null cell
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma
Table 9-2 Modified Ann Arbor Staging System
Stage Characteristics
I Single lymph node region (I) or
Single extralymphatic site (IE)
II Two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm (II)
May include localized involvement of extralymphatic site (IIE)
III Two or more lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm (III)
May include localized involvement of extralymphatic site (IIIE) or spleen (IIIS) or both (IIISE)
IV Diffuse or disseminated involvement of extralymphatic organ, with or without associated lymph node involvement
Diagnosis
Clinical Findings
  • Painless swelling of lymph nodes
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Malaise
  • Unexplained weight loss
Staging Studies
  • Biopsy of lesion/lymph nodes
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
  • Bone marrow biopsy
Treatment
  • Depends on stage of disease
  • Multimodality
  • Combination of chemotherapy and radiation
    • CHOP with rituximab
      • CHOP: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone
      • Rituximab: works by targeting the CD20 antigen on normal and malignant B cells
  • Peripheral stem cell transplantation
  • Bone marrow transplantation
Primary Lymphoma of Bone
Primary lymphoma of bone (PLB) is a distinct clinical
entity. Although it was first identified by Oberlin in 1928, it was not
until 1939, when Parker and Jackson reported on their series of
“reticulum cell sarcoma,” that lymphoma of bone was classified distinct
from systemic lymphoma.
  • Definition: malignant lymphoid infiltrate within bone with or without cortical invasion or soft tissue extension but without concurrent involvement of regional lymph nodes or distant viscera
  • Synonyms
    • Reticulum cell sarcoma (misnomer; not a sarcoma)
    • Malignant lymphoma of bone
    • Primary skeletal lymphoma
    • Osteolymphoma
Epidemiology
  • 0.2% of all bone tumors and 5% of all extranodal lymphomas
  • Large B-cell lymphoma represents 90% of the cases of PLB.
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  • Age: broad range
  • Male:female 1.8:1
  • Location
    • Femur
    • Ilium
    • Ribs
Diagnosis
Clinical Findings
  • Localized bone pain
  • Mass
  • Pathologic fracture in 20% to 30%
  • Generally not systemically ill
Radiologic Findings (Fig. 9-1)
Plain Radiographs
  • Diaphyseal
  • Permeative/mottled
  • Poorly marginated
  • Associated soft tissue mass
Figure 9-1
Anteroposterior radiograph of the proximal femur and MRI (axial T1 with
contrast) of a 20-year-old man with primary lymphoma of bone. Note
permeative changes in the diaphysis of the femur on the radiograph and
large enhancing soft tissue mass demonstrated on the MRI.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Large soft tissue mass
  • Enhances with gadolinium
Histologic Findings
  • Sheet-like proliferation of round blue cells without significant matrix (Fig. 9-2)
  • Pleomorphic
  • Nuclear heterogeneity
  • Special stains
    • Reticulum stains
    • Leukocyte common antigen (LCA)
      • CD45
    • B-cell marker
      • CD19, CD20
Treatment
  • Multidisciplinary: combination of
    systemic chemotherapy and local radiation is thought to be the most
    effective treatment in decreasing the local recurrence and systemic
    relapse
    • Chemotherapy: CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone)
    • Rituximab (monoclonal antibody to CD20)
  • Radiation: to the local site
  • Surgery: limited to diagnostic biopsy and to prevent impending pathologic fractures or to repair actual pathologic fractures

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Figure 9-2 Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of bone: (A) 20× magnification, (B) 40× magnification.
Prognosis
  • 60% to 80% 5-year survival rate
  • Worsens with age
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell dyscrasia, but it is
not the only such entity. Other plasma cell dyscrasias sometimes
encountered in orthopaedic oncology include monoclonal gammopathy of
uncertain significance (MGUS) and solitary plasmacytoma. Both MGUS and
plasmacytoma may progress, and often do, to the disseminated form,
multiple myeloma.
  • Definition: disseminated malignancy of monoclonal plasma cells
    • Monoclonal proteins
      • IgG: 60%
      • IgA: 20%
      • IgD: 2%
      • IgE: 0.1%
      • Light-chain kappa or lambda: 18%
      • Biclonal: <1%
      • Nonsecretory: <5%
Pathophysiology
  • Increased expression by osteoblasts of the receptor activator of nuclear factor KB (NF–KB) ligand (RANKL) and a reduction in the level of its decoy receptor osteoprotegerin
  • The increase in the ratio of RANKL to osteoprotegerin results in activation of osteoclasts and bone resorption.
Epidemiology
  • 1% of all malignancies
  • 14,400 new cases/year
  • Male:female 1.8:1
  • Age: 50s to 70s
    • Median 65 years
  • Race propensity
    • African Americans > Caucasians (2:1)
  • Risk factors: obesity, genetics (HLA), immunological challenges
Diagnosis
Clinical Findings
  • Pain
  • Pathologic fracture
  • Bone marrow failure
    • Anemia: fatigue and weakness
    • Thrombocytopenia: bruising, bleeding
    • Neutropenia: recurrent infections (gram-negative infections)
  • Renal insufficiency (50%): multifactorial
    • Bence Jones protein precipitation
    • Interstitial nephritis
    • Hypercalciuria
  • Hypercalcemia (25%)
    • Manifestations
      • Nausea
      • Muscle weakness
      • Confusion
      • Polyuria
      • Constipation
    • Treatment
      • Bisphosphonates
        • Pamidronate (Aredia) 90 mg IV
        • Zolendronate (Zometa) 4 mg IV
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      • Hydration: normal saline + Lasix
        • The combination of the hypercalcemia and
          renal insufficiency leads to the need to hydrate the patient well
          before surgical intervention.
    • Diagnostic criteria
      • 10% plasma cells in the bone marrow
      • Monoclonal protein in the serum (serum protein electrophoresis) or urine (urine protein electrophoresis)
      • Evidence of end-organ failure (CRAB)
        • Hypercalcemia
        • Renal insufficiency
        • Anemia
        • Bone lesions
Diagnostic Work-Up
  • Serum protein electrophoresis
    • Monoclonal gammopathy does not automatically signify multiple myeloma.
    • MGUS
      • IgG peak slightly elevated
        • IgG ≤3.5 g/dL, IgA ≤2 g/dL, urine light chain ≤1 g/dL
      • Normal radiographs
      • < 10% plasmacytosis
      • No symptoms
  • Urine protein electrophoresis
    • Monoclonal gamma globulin spike
    • Quantitative Ig levels
  • Serum chemistries
    • Complete blood count (may show anemia)
    • Electrolytes
      • Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, calcium (may show azotemia, hypercalcemia)
    • β2-microglobulin
  • Bone marrow aspiration
    • Plasmacytosis >10%
  • Bone survey
    • Bone scan can underestimate extent of disease.
      • 80% of lesions are “cold.”
    • Spine MRI
      • Vertebral lesions difficult to visualize on plain film
  • Biopsy: need for biopsy can be alleviated
    in the face of multiple osseous lesions on bone survey and a positive
    serum/urine protein electrophoresis.
Radiologic Findings
  • Punched-out lytic lesions (Fig. 9-3): single or multiple
Histologic Findings
  • Uniform plasma cells (Fig. 9-4)
  • Large round nuclei
    • Clockface
    • Eccentric
  • Distinct cell borders
  • Abundant cytoplasm, perinuclear clearing
Figure 9-3 Lateral radiograph of skull displaying “salt-and-pepper” punched-out lesions of multiple myeloma.
Treatment
Local Treatment
  • Radiation (very sensitive)
    • Surgical adjuvant (postoperative): 30 Gy
    • Radiation alone
      • Moderate, symptomatic lesions without impending or actual fracture
      • <50% cortex, <2.5 cm
  • Surgery
    • Large lesions
      • Impending pathological fracture
      • Actual pathological fracture
    • Protect the whole bone
      • Intramedullary rod fixation
  • Perioperative management
    • Highly vascular
    • Preoperative embolization of lesion important to consider
    • Type and cross-match
      • Even for closed nailing
  • Acute renal failure
    • Hydrate the patient well!
Systemic Treatment
  • Chemotherapy and corticosteroids: If
    patient is eligible for stem cell transplantation, alkylating agents
    for induction chemotherapy should be avoided.
    • Pulsed steroids alone
    • Melphalan + prednisone (MP)
    • Vincristine + doxorubicin (Adriamycin) + dexamethasone (VAD)
    • Thalidomide and dexamethasone: anti-angiogenic
    • Bortezomib (Velcade, PS-341): proteasome inhibitor
  • Stem cell transplantation
    • Autologous stem cell transplantation
      • Can prolong disease-free survival and overall survival

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        Figure 9-4
        Representative pathology sections from a multiple myeloma specimen.
        Note eccentric nuclei, abundant cytoplasm, and distinct cell borders. (A) Tissue section (20×). (B) Cytology on touch prep (80×).
      • Can be done in tandem
      • Can be used as salvage therapy
      • Induction chemotherapy before stem cell harvest reduces the tumor burden.
    • Allogenic stem cell transplantation
      • Transplant not contaminated with tumor cells
      • Only 5% to 10% of patients are candidates.
      • High mortality rate
Prognosis
  • Median survival 3 years
  • Overall survival depends on stage.
  • International Staging System (Table 9-3): based on serum β2-microglobulin and albumin levels
Solitary Plasmacytoma of Bone
Pathophysiology
  • Rare presentation of a plasma cell dyscrasia
    • 3% of patients with myeloma
    • Early manifestation of multiple myeloma: 70% progress to multiple myeloma
Epidemiology
  • Male:female 3:1
  • Age of presentation younger than multiple myeloma
  • Most common locations
    • Long bones
    • Pelvis
    • Spine
Diagnosis
  • Solitary bone lesion
  • Skeletal survey: normal
  • MRI skull/spine/pelvis: normal
  • Bone marrow: normal plasma cell count
  • No anemia, hypercalcemia, or renal disease
  • Normal serum/urine protein electrophoresis or serum protein electrophoresis that becomes normal after treatment of the lesion
Treatment
  • Radiation only (45 Gy)
    • Exquisitely sensitive
    • Rapid response
Table 9-3 International Staging System for Multiple Myeloma with Corresponding Median Survival
Stage Serum Albumin and Serum β2-Microglobulin Median Survival (months)
I Serum albumin ≥3.5 g/dL and serum β2-microglobulin <3.5 µg/mL 62
II Neither stage I nor III 44
III Serum β2-microglobulin ≥5.5 µg/mL 29

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Prognosis
  • Relatively good
  • 20% remain free of disease >10 years.
  • Better than multiple myeloma
Suggested Reading
Baiocchi OC, Colleoni GW, Rodrigues CA, et al. Importance of combined-modality therapy for primary bone lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma 2003;44(10):1837–1839.
Kilborn
TN, Teh J, Goodman TR. Paediatric manifestations of Langerhans cell
histiocytosis: a review of the clinical and radiological findings. Clin Radiol 2003;58(4):269–278.
Kyle RA, Rajkumar SV. Multiple myeloma. N Engl J Med 2004;351(18):1860–1873.
Lewis VO, Primus G, Anastisi J, et al. Oncologic outcomes of primary lymphoma of bone in adults. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2003;(415):90–97.
Yasko
AW, Fanning CV, Ayala AG, et al. Percutaneous techniques for the
diagnosis and treatment of localized Langerhans-cell histiocytosis
(eosinophilic granuloma of bone). J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1998;80(2):219–228.
Zinzani PL. Lymphoma: diagnosis, staging, natural history, and treatment strategies. Semin Oncol 2005;32(1 Suppl 1):S4–10.

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