Acute Lymphoid Leukaemia

Question 1

Present similarly to multiple myeloma, with anaemia, fatigue, weight loss and easy bruising being common.

However, the symptoms of hypercalcaemia and bone pain that would not commonly be seen in leukaemia.

COMMON IN YOUNG CHILDREN AND PEOPLE & DS

Answer 1

Acute lymphoid leukaemia is often seen in young children and people with Down Syndrome.

Question 2

Features of this condition in children would indicate…

anaemia: lethargy and pallor

neutropaenia: frequent or severe infections

thrombocytopenia: easy bruising, petechiae

bone pain (secondary to bone marrow infiltration)

splenomegaly

hepatomegaly

fever is present in up to 50% of new cases (representing infection or constitutional symptom)
testicular swelling

Answer 2

Acute lymphoid leukaemia

Question 3

anaemia and thrombocytopenia on the peripheral blood film- large numbers of undifferentiated lymphoblast cells

Answer 3

Acute Lymphoid Leukaemia