Condition- Myelodysplasia

Question 1

What is myelodysplasia?

Answer 1

Haematological conditions which manifest as BM failure charactreised by pancytopenia due to abnormal maturation of cells

Question 2

Myelodysplasia can be primary or secondary. List some of the secondary causes of myelodysplasia

Answer 2

1^o: Idiopathic

2^o:

• Radiation therpay
• Chemotherapy
• Immunosuppressive agents
• Toxins
• RF: Down’s (also in AML)

Question 3

List some of the signs and symptoms of Myelodysplasia

Answer 3

• Symptoms of anaemia: fatigue, SOB, pallor
• Symptoms of thrombocytopenia: bruising, bleeding
• Symptoms of neutropenia: increased infections

Question 4

Myelodysplasia has to potential to develop into which malignant condition?

Answer 4

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)

Question 5

What % of patients with Myelodysplasia progress into AML?

Answer 5

40-50%

Question 6

How can you histologically tell the difference between Myelodyplasia and AML?

Answer 6

Bone Marrow Biopsy:

• Myelodysplasia: <20% are blasts
• AML: >20% are blasts

Question 7

What is the mean age of onset of myelodyplasia?

Answer 7

65-70yrs

Question 8

What would you see in the FBC of somenone with Myelodysplasia?

Answer 8

• Low RBC
• Low WCC
• Low Platelets
• Normal Folate + B12 (exclude)

Question 9

What would you see in the blood film of someone with Myelodysplasia?

Answer 9

Normocytic or Macrocytic RBCs

Question 10

What would you see in a core biopsy of someone with Myelodysplasia?

Answer 10

Dysplastic changes, Hypercellularity, BM blasts <20%