Blood 1 Flashcards
What does plasma consist of?
Water (96%)
Ions
Proteins
Nutrients
Wastes
Gases
Sugar, fat, electrolytes
What are red blood cells?
Most abundant cell in blood - accounts for around 45% of volume
No nucleus, able to easily change shape
No nucleus therefore, short lifespan - 120 days
Contains Hb which carries oxygen and carbon dioxide
What are the two types of haematopoietic stem cells?
- Myeloid stem cell e.g. red blood cell and platelets
- Lymphoid stem cell e.g. T-cells and B-cells
What is leukaemia?
Cancer of a particular line of stem cells causing unregulated production of certain types of blood cells.
What are the 4 main types of leukaemia?
Acute myeloid leukaemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Chronic myeloid leukaemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
What causes pancytopenia?
Mutation which causes excessive production of a single type of abnormal white blood cell. This excessive production comes at the expense of other cell types, causing pancytopenia (combination of anaemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia).
What age groups are the four different types of leukaemia susceptible to?
Under 5 and over 45 - acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL age groups)
Over 55 – chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CeLL)
Over 65 – chronic myeloid leukaemia (CoMmon)
Over 75 – acute myeloid leukaemia (AMbitions)
ALL CELLMATES HAVE COMMON AMBITIONS
What is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
Acute proliferation of a single type of lymphocyte, usually B-lymphocytes, causing replacement of other cells created in bone marrow, leading to pancytopenia
The most common cancer in children, peaks around 2-4 years. Can also affect adults over 45 years. Often associated with Downs syndrome
What is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?
Chronic proliferation of usually B-lymphocytes
Usually affects adults over 55 years.
Often asymptomatic but it can present with infections, anaemia, bleeding and weight loss
What is chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Three phases:
Chronic phase – can last 5yrs, is often asymptomatic, patients are diagnosed incidentally with a raised white cell count
Accelerated phase – abnormal blast cells take up a high proportion of bone marrow and blood (10-20%). Patients develop anaemia, thrombocytopenia and become immunocompromised
Blast phase – follows accelerated phase and involves even higher proportion of blast cells (>30%). Has severe symptoms and pancytopenia. Is often fatal.
What is acute myeloid leukaemia?
Most common acute leukaemia in adults
Many different types of acute myeloid leukaemia with different presentations
Can present at any age but usually from middle age onwards
What are the oral signs and symptoms of leukaemia?
Compared to other types of leukaemia, oral manifestations are ordinarily seen in AML
Oral exam may show mucosal pallor related to anaemia; spontaneous bleeding, and gingival hyperplasia caused by leukemic infiltration
The most prevalent oral signs and symptoms are gingival bleeding, oral ulceration and gingival hyperplasia
How is leukaemia diagnosed?
Simple test initially – FBC indicates anaemia
Blood film shows shape/features of blood cells under microscope
How is leukeamia treated?
Treatment will be coordinated by an oncologymulti-disciplinary team.
Leukaemia is primarily treated withchemotherapyandsteroids
Other therapies include:
- Radiotherapy
- Bone marrow transplant
- Surgery
Define the term lymphoma?
Umbrella term encompassing a broad range of cancers derived from lymphocytes.