acute leukaemia Flashcards
what does acute leukaemia mean
uncontrolled proliferation of partially developed white blood cells (blast cells) which build up in the blood over a short period of time
two types of acute leukaemia
-acute myeloid
-acute lymphoblastic
which one is more common in old age
AML
which one is more common in children
ALL
what is acute leukaemia caused by
mutation in the precursor blood cells in the bone marrow
what is ALL due to
chromosomal translocation
abnormal chromosome number
-results in abnormal intracellular proteins
problem with lymphocyte precursors !
what condition can lead to AML
myelodysplastic syndrome
what syndrome is associated with both AML and CML
downs syndrome
what do the mutations do in acute leukaemia
where do the lymphoblasts settle (cause not enough room for them in blood anymore)
-liver
-spleen
-thyroid
-lymph nodes
symptoms of AML and ALL
which symptoms are more commonly seen in ALL
-pain in lymph nodes
-abdominal fullness (hepatosplenomegaly)
what would be seen in a bone marrow biopsy
increase in blast cells
what specific cells can be seen on blood film of AML
Auer rods
how do you differentiate AML from ALL on a blood film
AML - myeloblasts (with Auer rods)
ALL - lymphoblasts
