Non-hodgkin's lymphoma

(Thomas Hodgkin, 1798 - 1866, English physician), a lymphoreticular neoplasm that constitutes one of the two broad categories of lymphoma (Hodgkins disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma).

Skeletal abnormalities in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma occur after the disease becomes manifest and predominate in the axial skeleton. Although most tumours spread via the haematogenous route, bone invasion from surrounding soft tissues and lymph nodes may also occur. On radiographs the appearance is of multiple osteolytic lesions with motheaten bone destruction or permeative bone destruction. Adjoining soft tissues may also be involved. Osteosclerosis occurs rarely. Soft tissue masses and pathologic fractures occur commonly.

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