Case Studies in Leukemia and Lymphoma Flashcards
What are myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)?
age related (~70 y/o) acquired genetic damage to hematopoietic cells which leads to ineffective erythropoiesis
How does MDS typically present?
anemia with macrocytosis
if the peripheral blood smear shows large cells with large nuclei and visible nucleoli, what are you looking at?
blasts
what study helps differentiate myeloid blasts from lymphoid blasts?
flow cytometry
if lab results show leukocytosis, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, what should you be thinking until proven otherwise?
bone marrow problem
how do you calculate an absolute neutrophil count?
WBC x (neutrophil % + Band %)
What is a severe neutropenia defined as?
an ANC < 500
If a patient has a neutropenic fever, how do you treat them?
need to get cultures but then start with empiric antibiotics
How do you treat AML?
admission for treatment: induction therapy (treat underlying disease)
What are empiric antibiotics?
Empiric coverage is targeted at gram negative organisms first
the first line of empiric antibiotics is used to provide coverage against what?
pseudomonas coverage
what are examples of first line empiric antibiotics?
cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem, and ceftazidine
Addition of MRSA coverage is often added if there is concern for what?
line infection, PNA, or soft tissue infection
what is an example of an antibiotic that offers MRSA coverage?
vancomycin
if fever persists after 48 hours after onset of antibiotic therapy, what is typically added?
fungal coverage
what are 2 examples of antibiotics that offer fungal coverage?
amphotericin B, voriconazole
what confirms the diagnosis of AML?
anything greater than 20% blasts in bone marrow
induction chemotherapy for AML is done where?
in the hospital- 10-14 day induction course based on AML subtype and genetic profile
What stain do you do to look for fungi?
silver stain
How can candida be identified? and how do you treat candida?
can be identified with silver stain; treat with voriconazole/ amphotericin B
what is consolidation chemo?
when you intensify chemo to make sure no cancer cells are left in the body
what is maintenance chemo?
for some cancers, longer term therapy to maintain remission and prevent relapse
What is acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
malignancy of T or B lymphoblast
how do you make the diagnosis of ALL?
if there is greater than 20% lymphoblasts on bone marrow biopsy
What coagulation studies resemble DIC?
increase PT/PTT, increased D-dimer, and decreased fibrinogen
if a peripheral smear shows circulating blasts with auer rods, what do you suspect?
acute promyelocytic leukemia
which translocation is consistent with acute promyelocytic leukemia?
t(15;17)
What occurs in acute promyelocytic leukemia?
the leukemic cells express tissue factor, which activates factor X; high levels of Annexin II receptors on APL cells convert plasminogen into plasmin
what two things are highly expressed by APL cells?
Tissue Factor and Annexin II
What are two treatment options for acute promyelocytic leukemia?
Immediate treatment!! ATO (arsenic trioxide) and ATRA (all trans retinoic acid)
What is a LAP score?
you are looking for alkaline phosphatase and you are staining the leukocytes with this special stain that will show up positive in cells that are reactive
what are reactive cells?
ones that are autoimmune, fighting infection, or just reactive to a stressful stimuli
what does a positive LAP score tell you?
leukemoid reaction
what does a low LAP score tell you?
neoplasm
how does a leukemoid reaction appear in a centrifuged sample?
there is only a mild increase in the buffy coat