CLL Flashcards
What is the definition of CLL
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia - low grade B cell (type of white blood cell) lymphoma with lymphocytic leukocytosis
What is the median age of onset for CLL?
70-72 years of age
What is the most common type of leukaemia in adults?
CLL
What are the risk factors for CLL? (3)
Advanced age
Environment (organic solvents)
Family history
What is the classification system used to rank the CLL staging?
Rai staging system
What are the 5 stages of the Rai staging system?
0 - low risk - isolated lymphocytosis
1 - intermediate risk - + lymphadenopathy
2 - intermediate risk - + hepatomegaly and or splenomegaly
3 - high risk - + anaemia (Hb>11g/dl)
4 - high risk - + thrombocytopenia (<100,000/ micro litre)
What is thrombocytopenia? And what is a thrombocyte?
Low level of thrombocytes. It is a platelet.
What is the pathophysiology behind CLL?
Acquired mutations in hematopoietic stem cells -> increased proliferation of leukaemia B cells with impaired maturation and differentiation in bone marrow
What does impaired maturation of B cells in CLL lead to? (Clinical features)
Immune suppression
Hypogammaglobulinemia
Granulocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Anaemia
Infiltration of lymph nodes, liver and spleen
What are the symptoms and signs of CLL?
Weight loss
Fatigue
Fever
Night sweats
Painless lymphadenopathy
Hepatomegaly and or splenomegaly
Repeated infections
Symptoms of anemia (exertional dyspnoea, fatigue, pallor, growth impairment)
Chronic pruritis
Chronic urticaria (hives)
Which lab tests should be done for CLL?
CBC
Blood smear
Flow cytometry
Serum antibody electrophoresis
Bone marrow aspiration
Ultrasound
Lymph node biopsy
What will a CBC show for CLL?
Persistent lymphocytosis
Granulocytopenia
Low RBC count
Low platelet count
What will a blood smear show for CLL?
Smudge cells
What is a smudge cell?
Mature lymphocyte that ruptured easily and appears as an artefact in a blood smear
What will flow cytometry show for CLL?
Biomarkers for B cell development