Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia Flashcards
What is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
Malignant change in one of the lymphocyte precursor/progenitor cells.
What does Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia cause?
Acute proliferation of a single type of lymphocyte, usually B-lymphocytes.
What does acute proliferation of the lymphocytes cause?
Causes them to replace the other cell types being created in the bone marrow, leading to a pancytopenia.
Who is this type of cancer most common in?
Children
What age is the peak incidence for this cancer?
2-5 years
What genetic condition is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia associated with?
Down’s syndrome
What age of adults can be affected by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
Adults over 45
What chromosome is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia associated with in adults?
Philadelphia chromosome (t(9:22) translocation)
What are the three types of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
- Common ALL pre-B phenotype
- T-cell ALL
- B-cell ALL
What is the most common type of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
• Common ALL, pre-B phenotype
What are the features of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia predictable by?
Bone marrow failure
What are the features of bone marrow failure?
- Anaemia: lethargy and pallor
- Neutropenia: frequent or severe infections
- Thrombocytopenia: easy bruising, petechiae
What are the other possible features of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
- bone pain (secondary to bone marrow infiltration)
- splenomegaly
- hepatomegaly
- fever is present in up to 50% of new cases
- testicular swelling
How is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia diagnosed?
- Blood results show leukocytosis
- Blast cells on blood film
- Bone marrow analysis
What would you find in the blood test of someone with ALL?
Leukocytosis
(raised WCC)