Chronic Leukaemia (Megan) Flashcards
What is the division like in chronic leukaemia?
The cells have partially matured, unlike in acute leukaemia where the cells don’t mature at all.
What are the two main types of chronic leukaemia’s?
Chronic myeloid leukaemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
which chromosome is associated with chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Philadelphia chromosome
Which organ swells most in CML?
The liver and spleen.
Which organ swells most in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?
The lymph nodes
How does chronic leukaemia cause anaemia?
NOT due to bone marrow failure - instead it us due to chronic disease.
What signs and symptoms are seen in chronic leukaemia?
weight loss sweating anaemia hepatosplenomegaly (CML) lymphadenopathy (CLL) Hyperleukostasis Gout
What cells are seen in chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Increased WBC, platelet,neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, blast cells.
(Not as many blast cells as there is in acute myeloid leukaemia) because many of them have differentiated.
What is the 1st line treatment of chronic leukaemia?
Imatinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitor).
It stops the BRC-ABL – after 3-4 weeks the blood count returns to normal. After some time the BRC-ABL you can detect in the blood and bone marrow also decreases.
What are other tyrosine kinase inhibitors?
Imatinib
dasatinib
nilotinib
what is the 2nd line treatment for chronic leukaemia?
Allogenic transplant (only done when tyrosine kinase inhibitors fail).
What is hyperleukostasis?
white cell plugs are seen in the microvasculature. Clinically, diagnosed empirically when a patient with leukemia and hyperleukocytosis presents with respiratory or neurological distress, altered consciousness.
What is seen on a blood film of chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Shows all stages of white cell differentiation
What is the most common leukaemia seen in adults?
chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Which cell is mostly affected in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?
Almost always B cells
