Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Flashcards
What is AML?
Neoplastic proliferation of blast cells derived from marrow myeloid elements
What is the commonest leukaemia of adults?
AML
What are some risk factors for AML?
Age, Radiation, Down’s Syndrome
What clinical manifestations due to marrow failure are there?
Anaemia, infection, bleeding, bone pain
What clinical manifestations due to infiltration are there?
Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, gum hypertrophy
What investigations would you carry out?
FBC, blood film, bone marrow biopsy, cytogenic analysis, immunophenotyping
What will a bone marrow biopsy/blood film show?
Blast cells
How is AML differentiated from ALL?
Blast cells have Auer rods that show up on BMB
What is the aim of a bone marrow transplant?
To destroy leukaemic cells and immune system and then repopulate the marrow with donor cells
What are some potential complications of a bone marrow transplant?
Graft-versus-host disease, opportunistic infections, relapse of leukaemia, infertility
What are some potential complications of AML?
Infections, leukostasis
What does leukostasis lead to?
Lack of oxygen delivery
How do you treat AML?
Blood and platelet transfusions, IV fluids, chemo, steroids, potential bone marrow transplant
What do you give to prevent tumour lysis syndrome?
Allopurinol
How do you control potential infections?
IV antibiotics
