Non melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin - Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphoid leukaemia Factor
RMA definition
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma means a malignant neoplastic disease arising from the lymphoid components of the immune system, characterised by the absence of Reed-Sternberg cells. This definition includes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma arising within parenchymal organs and excludes Burkitt’s lymphoma, plasma cell malignancy, hairy cell leukaemia and chronic lymphoid leukaemia
General information about non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
The term non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma covers essentially any lymphoma that is not of the Hodgkin’s disease type. Burkitt’s lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but is excluded from the RMA SoP for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma because of its particular aetiology. Other conditions covered by the SoP include reticulosarcoma, mycosis fungoides, Sezary’s disease/syndrome, and adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma.
Signs and symptoms
Main sign is persistent painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin. Other possible signs include fever, sweating, fatigue, and weight loss. Biopsy is required to confirm if cancer is present.
Establishing onset
If a veteran or member had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma he or she would have needed significant medical attention at that time. Such medical treatment would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records. However, if these records have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained and there is a reliable history of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at a particular time, this generally will be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence. Obtain medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma rather than to some other condition.
Last reviewed for CCPS 26 September 2007.
Preliminary questions [31284]
31278 there is some evidence that non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphoid leukaemia may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.
31279 the veteran has had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphoid leukaemia at some time.
7436 the veteran has had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at some time.
or
31280 the veteran has had chronic lymphoid leukaemia at some time.
3441 the veteran had the identified illness or injury before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
31281 the veteran has established the causal connection between the identified illness or injury and VEA service for the clinical onset of non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin.
31282 the veteran has established the causal connection between the identified illness or injury and operational service for the clinical onset of non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin.
or
31283 the veteran has established the causal connection between the identified illness or injury and eligible service for the clinical onset of non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin.
Clinical onset and operational service [31282]
22451 the identified illness or injury is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [31283]
22452 the identified illness or injury is causally related to eligible service.