Cancer and Hematology

Question 1

what is important to understand about white blood cell cancer

Answer 1

there are many types of malignant conditions and there are so many places that something can go wrong

Question 2

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) (pathophysiology)

Answer 2

this is when there is an uncontrolled amount of growth of abnormal cells in the bone marrow and blood and they interfere with the normal cells
-there is a suppression of normal cells in the bone marrow

Question 3

what does cytopenia mean

Answer 3

• it is low cell amount

- this occurs in all three myeloid lines during AML (a decrease in RBC/platelets/monocytes/macrophages/granocytes)

Question 4

etiology of AML

Answer 4

• it is often unknown

- may be genetic, radiation, chemical, medicine

Question 5

Symptoms of AML

Answer 5

-weakened general condition
-pail/anemic
-skin lesions/hematomas
-hepatic/ splenic organomeagaly
-palpation induced pain
(the doctor will need to do a tip to tow inspection

Question 6

work up for AML

Answer 6

-blood samples
-this is looking at:
-HB, platelets, leukocyte (WBC) count + differentiation
-liver/kidney level
- peripheral blood smear
FINISH

Question 7

treatment for AML

Answer 7

• this depends on the age of patient, type and accompanying illness
• radiation therapy
• chemotherapy -cytostatic treatment of blasts in bone marrow =blood
• measures to treat anemia, thrombocytopenia and infections
• hematopoietic stem cell support

Question 8

Prognosis for AML

Answer 8

-50-80% experience primary remission after an intense treatment regimen but it depends on age and type of AML
-40%alive after 4 years
-Observation of MRD (minimal
FINSIH