BI231 Introduction to Hematologic Malignancies Flashcards
What is a clonal disorder?
a mutation that develops in a normal hematopoietic precursor resulting in a survival advantage and proliferation. There is no interruption in normal body function other than having increased numbers of this clonal cell population
What are 2 examples of a clonal hematologic disorder?
1) Monocloncal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL)
2) Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
Explain the first and second hit process
- 1st hit is the formation of a mutation that increases the number of the clonal cell population but doesn’t disrupt body functioning.
- 2nd hit is when a second mutation develops that results in uncontrolled proliferation and interference with normal body function
What is the time frame for acute diseases?
days/months
what is the time frame for chronic diseases?
months/years
what are B symptoms?
constitutional symptoms;
1) fever
2) night sweats
3) weight loss
What kind of weight loss is alarming?
unintentional and >10% in 6 months
what are symptoms that would suggest cytopenias? (3)
1) fatigue/pallor (anemia)
2) infections (leukopenia)
3) bleeding/brusing
what is the goal of treatment for acute/aggressive presentation cancers?
cure
what is the difference in symptom presentation between chronic and acute cancers?
they are similar in presentation in that they each have B symptoms, symptoms of cytopenias etc, but the symptoms in chronic presentation evolve slower and some patients present with no symptoms (ex. abnormal blood counts on CBC, or noticed lymph nodes on routine physical exam)
What is the goal of treatment for chronic cancers?
disease control
When is treatment initiated in chronic patients ?
when the patient has symptoms
true or false: over time, chronic/indolent blood cancers cannot transform into acute, aggressive blood cancers
FALSE; over time, chronic/indolent blood cancers can transform into acute aggressive blood cancers
TRUE OR FALSE: myeloid malignancies never present as a lymphoma (enlarged lymph nodes)
TRUE
list the important myeloproliferative diseases
1) chronic myeloid leukemia
2) polycythemia vera (PV)
3) essential thrombocytosis (CML)
4) Primary myelofibrosis
what do CML, PV and ET all do to the normal of blood cells in the blood? What type of cancer can each of these progress to ?
they all are characterized by increased numbers of normal blood cells and can all transform over time into acute myeloid leukemia
what is a myelodysplastic syndrome?
a stem cell disorder that is characterized by low numbers of abnormal blood cells.
between myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloproliferative diseases, which one do patients present with cytopenias?
myelodysplatic syndrome
true or false: myelodysplastic syndrome can transform into acute myeloid leukemia
true
What is structures are involved in Leukemia cancers
predominantly involve the peripheral blood or bone marrow
lymphoma
predominantly involving peripheral lymph nodes, spleen
what are 3 common symptoms to have at presentation from low blood counts in a leukaemia patient?
1) bleeding/bruising from thrombocytopenia
2) fatigue/pallor from anemia
3) infections from neutropenia/leukopenia
TRUE OR FALSE: myeloid malignancies always involve the bone marrow/peripheral blood and never with lymphadenopathy
TRUE
what is the mainstay of treatment for hematologic malignancies?
chemotherapy
What does cytopenia mean?
reduction in the number of blood cells
