Acute Myeloblastic and Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Flashcards
What is malignant haematopoeisis?
increased numbers of abnormal and dysfunctional cells normally monoclonal - deriving from the same cell
What is malignant haematopoeisis due to?
increased proliferation
lack of differentiation
lack of maturation
lack of apoptosis
What genetic mutation leads to malignant haematopoeisis?
driver mutations selecting clones that confer a growth advantage
What is the difference between an acute and a chronic leukaemia?
acute - progenitor cells
chronic - T cell, B cell, NK cell
What is a myeloma cancer from?
plasma cells in mrrow
What is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia?
rapidly progressive clonal malignancy of primitive lymhpoid cells (lymphoblasts)
most common childhood cancer
What defines ALL and AML?
excess of blasts >20% in either the peripheral blood or bone marrow
decrease/loss of homeopoietic reserve
How does ALL present?
marrow failure - anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia
leaukaemic effects
bone pain
How is ALL treated?
multi agent chemotherapy
different phases with varying intensity
can last 2-3 years
How are ALL and AML investigated?
immunophenotyping for definitive
blood count and film - reduction of normal and presence of abnormal (increased N:C ratio)
How does AML present?
> 60
bone marrow failure - anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia
subgroups can have gum infiltration and DIC
How is AML treated?
2-4 cycles of chemo
prolonged hospitalisation
normally intensive
What neutropenic infection can be lifethreatening?
gram -ve
