Lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease
What the FAA's documents say about lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL/SLL)
The Item 45 page sends CLL and SLL to their own disposition table, which has its own page.
Short version
The FAA's table has one row for it.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Lymphoma and Hodgkin's DiseaseLymphoma and Hodgkin's disease, all classes | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease
- Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Disease · Special Issuance
Lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including past and present treatments. The initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision, and follow-up Special Issuances are by the AASI protocol.
Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Disease … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include past and present treatment(s). … Initial Special Issuance - Requires FAA Decision … Followup Special Issuance's - See AASI Protocol
- A note on the table, 1
The Item 45 page says medical certificates must not be issued to an applicant with medical conditions that require deferral, or for any condition not listed that may result in sudden or subtle incapacitation, without consulting the AMCD or the RFS, and that medical documentation must be submitted for any condition to support an issuance.
Medical certificates must not be issued to an applicant with medical conditions that require deferral, or for any condition not listed that may result in sudden or subtle incapacitation without consulting the AMCD or the RFS . Medical documentation must be submitted for any condition in order to support an issuance of an airman medical certificate.
The FAA pathways for lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease
Which exam
Your plan
Step 1: What to submit for the FAA's decision
The status report and medical reports the Item 45 table asks for.Current status report
A current status report.
Medical reports and treatments
All pertinent medical reports, including past and present treatments.
Show the FAA's words: What to submit for the FAA's decision
Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports.
FAA source: Item 45 – Lymphatics. FAA date 31 May 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include past and present treatment(s).
FAA source: Item 45 – Lymphatics. FAA date 31 May 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
Lymphoma and Hodgkin's DiseaseDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including past and present treatments. The initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision, and follow-up Special Issuances are by the AASI protocol.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Disease · Special Issuance
Lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease, for all classes. The table asks for a current status report and all pertinent medical reports, including past and present treatments. The initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision, and follow-up Special Issuances are by the AASI protocol.
Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Disease … All … Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include past and present treatment(s). … Initial Special Issuance - Requires FAA Decision … Followup Special Issuance's - See AASI Protocol
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The Item 45 table says the initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current status report.
- Item 2. All pertinent medical reports, including past and present treatments.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The Item 45 table says the initial Special Issuance requires an FAA decision.
Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Disease … Initial Special Issuance - Requires FAA Decision
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current status report.
Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports.
- Item 2
All pertinent medical reports, including past and present treatments.
Submit a current status report and all pertinent medical reports. Include past and present treatment(s).
What a Special Issuance is
The Guide says an Authorization for Special Issuance, valid for a specified period, may be granted at the Federal Air Surgeon's discretion to a person who does not meet the established medical standards, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Surgeon that the duties authorized by the class of certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety during the period the Authorization would be in force.
How the FAA pathways workGood to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
What a progress note must include
In most cases it should come from a visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days ago, and cover the history, medications with dosages and side effects, exam findings, test results, diagnosis, assessment and plan, prognosis and follow-up. The FAA's sheet says to make sure the physician adds the prognosis. A portal note or an After Visit Summary that does not meet these criteria is not enough, and neither is a simple "ok to fly" letter. The FAA's documents also call it a status report.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
your patient portal to print out “notes” or an “After Visit Summary (AVS).” … Patient Portal notes or an AVS that do not meet the criteria listed below for a detailed Clinical Progress Note are NOT sufficient for FAA purposes. … To be “current,” in MOST CASES, the detailed Clinical Progress Note should be from an evaluation in which you saw your treating physician no more than 90 days ago. … It Must include the following items: … A summary of the history of the condition, … Current medications, dosages, and side effects (if any); … Clinical exam findings; … Results of any testing performed; … Diagnosis; … Assessment and Plan; … Prognosis (This item may not be on a standard progress note, make sure your physician adds this information.); and … Follow-up … Please note: A letter stating, “Mr. Smith is ok to fly” (or any other simple note), is NOT a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note and is NOT acceptable. … You may also see this called a “current status report” or “status report” in current FAA Guidance. Any reference to a “status report” equals the criteria listed on this sheet.
The first AASI is deferred to the FAA
When this is a first-time application for this AASI and the applicant has all the requisite medical information for a determination, the examiner must defer and submit all of the documentation to the AMCD or RFS for the initial determination.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
If this is a first-time application for an AASI for the above disease/condition, and the applicant has all the requisite medical information necessary for a determination, the Examiner must defer and submit all of the documentation to the AMCD or RFS for the initial determination.
Recurrence or new treatment means deferral
Under an Authorization, the AASI says the examiner must defer to the AMCD or Region if there has been any recurrence or disease progression, or if any new treatment is initiated.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
The Examiner must defer to the AMCD or Region if: … There has been any recurrence or disease progression … Any new treatment is initiated
CLL and SLL have their own table
The Item 45 page sends chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) to their own disposition table.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) … All … See Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) disposition table
FAA sources
Every FAA document this page relies on, with the FAA's own date and the date Crosscheck last read it. The documents to print open at the FAA, so they are always the FAA's current ones.
- Item 45 – LymphaticsOpen to print: Item 45 – Lymphatics, a page at the FAA, in a new tab
Special Issuance
- AASI – Lymphoma and Hodgkin's DiseaseOpen to print: AASI – Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Disease, a page at the FAA, in a new tab
The sheet the examiner follows to reissue under an FAA Authorization.
AASI
- Open at the FAA: Pilot Information – What a Detailed Clinical Progress Note must contain, a PDF at the FAA, in a new tab
This reports what the FAA has published. It is not medical advice, and it does not say how the FAA or an examiner will decide a case.