FINAL Pathology topics Flashcards
Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Molecular biology. Morphology and classification. Clinical stages of HD.
HODGKIN LYMPHOMAS
Any lymphoma that has Reed Sternberg cells or its variants.
RS cell release various cytokines and chemotactic agents, attracting many different kind of cells which eventually forms a mass - lymphoma
Presence of them differentiates it from Non-Hodgkins Lymphomas since Non-Hodgkin has no RS cells
The presence of these cells is not enough for diagnosis since they are present in other conditions too
Reed-Sternberg cells have an owl eyes appearance
- Large cells
- 2 mirror image nuclei (or 1 nucleus with 2 lobes)
- CD30, CD15
The variants of RS cells
- Lacunar cell [Reed Sternberg cells in a big lake-like space]
- Popcorn cell [Reed Sternberg cells with Multilobed nuclei, looks like a popcorn]
RS cells and their variants are derived from B lymphocytes. They do not show the typical surface markers so the proof is presence of Ig Heavy chains
In 70% of cases it is the EBV that’s associated with the malignant transformation of the B lymphocyte into an RS cell or one of its variants.
EBV produces viral proteins → stimulate the cell to synthesize NFkB → NFkB both stimulates the cell to proliferate and inhibits apoptosis
In the rest of cases it is a mutation in the IkB gene (which usually inhibits NFkB synthesis) that elevated NFkB levels, leading to increased cell proliferation without check
SUBTYPES OF HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
♥Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma
- Most common form. Equally occurring in males and females (young adults)
- Good prognosis
- Many lacunar cells [unique to Nodular Sclerosis type]
- Collagenous bands divide the lymphoid tissue into nodules
- Cellular component – macrophages, eosinophils, lymphocytes
♥Mixed-cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma
- Affects patients >50 years old, predominant in males.
- Better prognosis than other types
- Cellular component - small macrophages, eosinophils, plasma cells, lymphocytes [mix of granulocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes]
- RS cell secretes IL5 which attracts Eosinophils, not present in other subtypes of Hodgkins Lymphoma
♥Lymphocyte-predominance Hodgkin lymphoma
- few RS cells (if any) → good prognosis
- Many popcorn cells
- Large number of lymphocytes [as the name suggests]
♥Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin lymphoma
- More common in older persons
- Best prognosis
- No popcorn cells
- Many lymphocytes
♥Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin lymphoma
- Worst prognosis
- Few or no lymphocytes [meaning RS cells are not secreting cytokines or chemotactic agents, and may have transformed into a worst cancer cell]
All Hodgkin lymphoma are slow growing, so usually easy to diagnose and treatable
Hodgkins Lymphoma classically presents with:
B symptoms
1. Fever
2. Night sweats (because of increased number of cytokines)
3. Weight loss (more than 10% of body weight in a 6-month period)
Extranodal lymphomas (lymphomas of the MALT, cutaneous lymphomas, CNS lymphoma)
EXTRA-NODAL LYMPHOMAS
Mature B cell tumors, most commonly arise in MALT (salivary glands, small intestine, large intestine, lungs), and in non-mucosal sites (orbit, breast).
Tend to develop in the setting of autoimmune diseases or chronic bacterial infections (Helicobacter pylori - Chronic Gastritis - MALT Lymphoma, Campylobacter jejuni).
MALT LYMPHOMA
MALT lymphoma originates in B cells of MALT of the GI tract.
May arise anywhere in the gut, but most commonly occur in the stomach, usually due to chronic gastritis caused by H. pylori bacterium.
The infection leads to polyclonal B cell hyperplasia and eventually to monoclonal B cell neoplasm.
Translocation between chromosomes 11 and 18 is common => creates a fusion gene between the apoptosis inhibitor BCL2 gene (chromosome 11), and the MLT gene (chromosome 18).
~50% of gastric lymphomas can regress with antibiotic treatment since the main causative agent is Helicobacter pylori
CUTANEOUS LYMPHOMA
There are 2 classes of cutaneous lymphoma affecting the skin:
- B cell cutaneous lymphoma
- T cell cutaneous lymphoma
T cell cutaneous lymphoma
Several forms, most common is Mycosis fungoides
- Caused by mutation of cytotoxic T cells that infiltrate the epidermis and upper dermis, characterized by infolding of the nuclear membrane
- At later stage => Sezary syndrome, characterized by erythroderma (inflammatory skin disease), and by tumor cells whose nucleus looks like a brain - cerebri form nuclei also known as Sezary cell
B cell cutaneous lymphoma
Constitute a group of diseases, characterized by B cells similar to those found in germinal centers => diffuse large B cell lymphoma, primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma, intravascular large B cell lymphoma
CNS LYMPHOMA
- Intracranial tumor that appears mostly in patients with severe immunosuppression.
- Highly associated with EBV infections in immunosuppressed patients, but rarely so in immunocompitant patients.
- Most CNS lymphomas are diffuse large B cell lymphoma metastasis or primary tumour
- Symptoms include:
–Dislopia (double vision).
–Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing).
–Dementia.
–Systemic symptoms (fever, night sweat, weight loss).
Physiological T-cell reactions. Peripheral T cell lymphomas
Recall NORMAL T cell formation and maturation process
Understand WHAT peripheral T cell lymphomas do
PHYSIOLOGICAL T-CELL REACTIONS
- The precursors of T lymphocytes are originated from bone marrow-derived multipotent stem cells
- Via the blood stream these precursors migrate into the thymus, the site of T cell development
- Once T cells have completed their developmental program, they leave the thymus and circulate between the blood and the lymph, passing through many secondary lymphoid organs/ tissues
- Mature circulating T cells that have not recognized antigens yet
are in a resting state and defined as naive T cells - The activation of naive T cells occurs in the secondary lymphoid organs/ tissues where they interact with professional APCs (mainly
with DCs): - DC finds a pathogen in the periphery and phogocytoses it → transports it to the lymph nodes add presents it to a T cell → T cell able to recognize this specific surface MHC-I -peptide complex (special ability) → T cell activation (naïve helper/cytotoxic T cell to effector helper/cytotoxic T cell)
- Effector T cells eave the lymphoid tissue, enter the blood circulation and migrate into the sites of infection or inflammation in peripheral (non-lymphoid) tissues
- All effector T cell functions are initiated by recognition of a peptide antigen presented by MHC-I or MHC-II molecules on the surface of target cell by TCR
- T helper cells (CD4) help their target fight against the pathogens ➔ Bind to MHC-II on APCs ➔ Secrete cytokines that attract other cells of the immune system => B cells, macrophages
- T killer cells (CD8) induce their target to die (inducing apoptosis OR using perforin granzyme) ➔ Bind to MHC-I on all nucleated cells ➔ Directly kill infected cells.
T cells also present CD28 marker, which helps them to bind to APCs
PERIPHERAL T-CELL LYMPHOMA
Whether a lymphoma is of a B, T or NK can be determined by B/T/NK cell markers (CDs, receptors, enzymes). Whether it is precursor or peripheral depends on the stage where the malignant
transformation occurs
Peripheral
- lymphocytic cells (smaller, more cytoplasm, more condensed chromatin)
- low rate of proliferation
- more differentiated
- Aggressive tumors that respond poorly to therapy
- Types:
o Lymphoepitheloid lymphoma (Lennert’s lymphoma)
o Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy – like T – lymphoma.
o T – zone lymphoma.
o Pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma.
o Large cell anaplastic lymphoma.
Lymphoepitheloid lymphoma (Lennert’s kymphoma)
o Is small cell (lymphocytic) infiltrate intermingled with high amount of epitheloid cells and some blasts.
o Resembles lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin disease but RS cells are missing.
Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy – like T – lymphoma
o Mixed infiltrate of small, medium and large immunoblastic cells.
o Resembles mixed cellularity of Hodgkin disease.
o Neoplastic cells show clear cytoplasm and wrinkled nucleus.
o Proliferation of dendritic reticulum cells are the hallmark of this
disease (CD23 positive)
o There is also proliferation of HEV infection
T-zone lymphoma
o Spread within the T-cell areas.
o Lymph node follicles with germinal centers are preserved.
o Follicular hyperplasia with CD4 positive T-cells.
Pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma
o Strong nuclear pleomorphism of small, medium and large lymphoid
cells
o Clear cells are also present.
Large cell anaplastic lymphoma [Anaplastic means not resembling any normal surrounding tissue - usually sign of high, bad malignant cancer cell]
o T-cells are CD30 positive.
o Shows cohesive spreading.
o Found primarily within sinuses of lymph nodes.
o Often mistaken for carcinomas, malignant melanomas or malignant
histiocytosis (DD: malignant histiocytosis shows CD68 positive)
o Translocation t(2:5) will cause increase in tyrosine kinase.
o Some case of Hodgkin disease and peripheral T-cell lymphoma may
evolve into secondary large cell anaplsatic lymphoma.
o Multinucleated tumor giant cells may be present
The plasma cell reaction. Plasmocytic neoplasms.
PLASMA CELL REACTION
A group of disorders characterized by plasma cell dysfunctions [mature B cell that produces antibodies]
The cause is gain of function mutations of protooncogenes or loss of function mutation of\tumor suppression genes → abnormal proliferation in bone marrow
- Usually abnormally proliferating cells lose their function but in the case of plasma cell dysfunction , plasma cells are still able to secrete “M components; monoclonal antibodies or parts of them
1.Complete monoclonal antibodies
2.Monoclonal antibodies + light chains
3.Heavy chains only [heavy chain disease]
4.Light chains only [light chain disease]
Monoclonal: all secreted antibodies are exactly the same (both heavy and light chains) and have NO variation in its antigen recognition
They are non-specific and are secreted WITHOUT a real stimulation
Polyclonal: this is what happens in a physiological immune reaction. Different plasma cells secrete different antibodies with different heavy chains (α IgA, ɤ IgG, μ IgM) and different
light chains (κ, λ).
Disorders:
» Multiple myeloma (plasma cell myeloma)
» Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
» lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma
» Heavy-chain disease
» Primary or immunocyte-associated amyloidosis
MULTIPLE MYELOMA
- Causes: t(11,14) Cyclin D protooncogene fuses with Heavy chain region. Deletion of tumor suppression genes on chromosome 13
- Blood→ Primary AL amyloidosis- any protein when can aggregate into rigid, linear non-branching fibrils with a beta pleated sheet arrangement
- Urine→ Protein urea- “Bence-Jones protein”; light chains in urine
- Marrow plasma cytosis (>30% of cellularity) →crowding out of other cells → fatigue, bleeding, infections (number 1 cause of death in
these patients because other plasma cells do not produce antibodies). -
M spike in protein electrophoresis (ɤ curve higher than curve of albumin which is higher) →
many proteins in plasma → interfere with charges → clusters of RBCs - The plasma cells secrete** IL-6**, positively stimulating themselves to proliferate and to secrete cytokines, which activate osteoclasts and inhibit osteoblasts functions → formation of painful lytic lesions in bones; flat bones- vertebrae, ribs, skull, and in shafts of long bones.
- The lytic lesions will appear radiolucent in x-rays→ mobilization of Ca2+ into blood → hypercalcemia → Ca2+ can deposit in kidneys, CNS abdominal SM cells and calcify →
- Renal failure (number 2 cause of death)
- Main antibody is IgG, second is IgA
- Immunophenotype:
MONOCLONAL GAMMOPATHY OF UNDETERMINED SIGNIFICANCE
An isolated M spike with none of the other findings of multiple myeloma. Can develop into multiple myeloma.
HEAVY CHAIN DISEASE
Two main forms:
- α HCD - neoplastic cells in small intestine respiratory system
- ɤ HCD- liver, spleen, lymph nodes
- No Bence Jones protein
PRIMARY AMYLOIDOSIS
Over production of immunoglobulin light chains, forming aggregations => AL protein.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma
DIFFUSE LARGE B-CELL LYMPHOMA
A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, constitute 50% of NHLs.
Aggressive
Cause:
*Mutations / rearrangements of Bcl6 gene on chromosome 3 → overexpression of Bcl6 →
increased proliferation of centroblasts
*30% t(14,18); follicular lymphoma which developed into DLBL
*unknown
Features
*+ for B cells markers (not 10)
*BCR
Clinical features – aggressive tumors that are rapidly fatal if not treated; can affect
virtually any organ
BURKITT LYMPHOMA
Highly aggressive
Cause:
*t(8, 14)- chromosomal translocation; MYC gene translocates from chromosome 18 next to
the Ig gene for heavy chain on chromosome 14 → MYC gene becomes hyperactive → MYC
becomes hyperactive → increased proliferation of centroblasts
Two types:
*Endemic “African type”; 100% associated with EBV. Manifests in mandible and maxilla.
*Sporadic “American type”; 20 associated with EBV. Manifests in abdominal and pelvic
cavities.
*Both are histopathologically identical “starry sky appearance”
Dark background- neoplastic cells which are dark because of the high amount of chromatin
(high rate of proliferation, also death)
Lighter regions- non-neoplastic macrophages with pale cytoplasm and small nuclei
Mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma
MANTLE CELL LYMPHOMA
A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, constitute 4% of NHLs. Aggressive.
Cause:
*t(11, 14)- chromosomal translocation; Cyclin D1 gene translocates from chromosome 11
next to the Ig gene for heavy chain on chromosome 14 → Cyclin D1 gene becomes
hyperactive → increased proliferation of naïve B cells → accumulation in the mantle zone
Features:
*+ for B cells markers
*+ for CD5 (T cell marker)
Clinical features – nonspecific symptoms (fatigue, fever, weight loss), lymphadenopathy,
generalized disease involving the liver, spleen, bone marrow and GI tract.
MARGINAL CELL LYMPHOMA
Indolent.
There are 3 types of marginal zone lymphomas:
♥MALT lymphoma – most common form, occurs most frequently in the stomach (also
called extra-nodal marginal zone lymphoma).
♥Nodal marginal zone lymphoma – in lymphatic follicles of lymph nodes.
♥Splenic marginal zone lymphoma – B cells replace the normal resident cells of the white
pulp of the spleen (T cells, macrophages).
Extra nodal characteristics:
* They often arise within tissues involved by chronic inflammatory disorders of autoimmune
or infectious etiology;
Sjögren disease → overstimulation lymphocytes of parotid gland
Helicobacter specific T cells produce growth factors which support the formation of a tumor.
*They may regress if the inciting agent (e.g., Helicobacter pylori) is eradicated.
Cause:
*t (1,14) chromosomal translocation; Bcl10 gene translocates from chromosome 1 next to
the Ig gene for heavy chain on chromosome 14 → Bcl10 gene becomes hyperactive → Bcl10
becomes hyperactive → increased proliferation of lymphocytes
Features:
*+ for B cells markers (not 10)
*BCR
Physiological B-cell maturation (role of germinal centers). Follicular lymphoma
B-CELL MATURATION
Peripheral lymph node is composed of a cortex and a medulla => the cortex contains lymphocytic nodules (follicles).
The lymph follicle contains mainly B cells, and can be either primary (not activated) or secondary (met with an antigen).
Upon activation, B cells start to proliferate and differentiate, creating the germinal center of the lymph follicle.
Process of B cell differentiation:
In the germinal center, the differentiating and proliferating B cells undergo:
Somatic hypermutation – rearrangement of DNA of the variable region genes to form variations of antibodies.
Class switching – rearrangement of the heavy chain genes to switch the class of the antibody.
FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA
A type of non-hodgkin lymphoma, constitute 40% of NHLs.
Immunophenotype – B cell markers CD10, CD19, CD20; cells show somatic hypermutation.
Karyotype – characteristic translocation of BCL2 gene from chromosome 18 to the loci of IgH gene on chromosome 14, resulting in the overexpression of BCL2 gene, which produces anti-apoptotic proteins (prevent release of cytochrome C => no apoptosis).
Clinical features – painless lymphadenopathy, bone marrow contains lymphoma (RBC , WBC , platelets ), poor response to chemotherapy.
Follicular lymphoma may progress to a diffuse large B cell lymphoma.
Treatment is reserved lot patients who are symptomatic and involves low-dose
chemotherapy or rituximab (anti-CD20 antibody).
Precursor lymphoblastic lymphomas and leukemias
Whether a lymphoma / leukemia is precursor or peripheral depends on the stage where the
malignant transformation occurs;
In precursor lymphoblastic lymphomas / leukemias
*lymphoblast cells (bigger, less cytoplasm, less condensed chromatin)
*high rate of proliferation
*less differentiated
→ Acute leukemia / aggressive lymphoma;
after the first clinical sign manifests in the patient, deterioration is relatively very fast (death
after 6-12 months).
*Occur mainly in children / young adults
Whether a leukemia/lymphoma is lymphoid / myeloid
Whether a leukemia/lymphoma is of a B, T or NK can be determined by cell markers (CDs,
receptors, enzymes).
*B cell- CD 10, 19, 20, 21, 22
*T cell- CD 2, 3 (expressed by all T cells) , 4, 7, 8
*NK cell- CD 16, 56
Pre-B cell neoplasms occur in the BM while pre-T cell neoplasms occur in the thymus.
B ALL is a lot more common (85%) and usually affects children while T cell ALL is a lot less
common (10-15%) and usually affects adolescents. NK ALL is extremely rare.
PATHOGENESIS
Mutation → chromosomal abnormality → abnormal TF → malignant transformation
The mutation can occur due to radiation, chemical
substances like benzine, it can be genetic (Li–Fraumeni
syndrome), or it can occur spontaneously.
Chromosomal abnormalities can be:
*Numerical (hyper/hypoploidy/trisomy..)
*Structural (deletion / translocation)
1. Hyperploidy
2. Hypoploidy
3. t(12,21) balanced
4. t(9,22) balanced; the resultant chromosome 22 is
referred to as “Philadelphia chromosome”
RELATED DISEASES
1. Crowding out of normal cells (>25% of BM cellularity)
♥Anemia → fatigue
♥Thrombocytopenia → bleeding (epistaxis, petechia, ecchymosis…)
♥Neutropenia → infections
2. Hyper-cellular BM → expansion of MB → detachment of periosteum → pain & arthralgia
*Also starry night appearance like in Burkitt lymphoma.
3. Leukostasis in microcirculation (eyes, kidneys…) → thrombi
4.Tumor lysis syndrome; neoplastic cells release their content into the plasma (uric acid↑,
phosphate↑, H+↑, Na+↑, Ca2+↓ (forms complexes with phosphate).
PROGNOSIS- likelihood of survival
Classification of malignant lymphomas (WHO classification)
Lymphomas
Solid cohesive neoplasms (tumors) of
the immune system, which mostly
originate from lymphoid tissues (BM,
thymus, lymph nodes..)
*CNS in AIDS
Accumulation of mutations
↓
loss of ability to remain cohesive
↓
transfer into blood (leukemia)
Always lymphoid!
Leukemias
Malignancies of either lymphoid
or myeloid origin, which primarily
involves the bone marrow with
spillage of neoplastic cells into
the blood.
.
Sometimes they enter lymphoid
tissues and aggregate there
(lymphomas)
Can be: Lymphoid leukemia
Myeloid leukemia (RBCs, PLTs and
all other WBCs except for
lymphocytes)
WHO CLASSIFICATION
A system that defines lymphoid tumors according to
several features: morphology (follicular / diffused), cell of
origin (T/B/NK/myeloid…), clinical features and genotype
(as mentioned before).
The classification divides lymphomas into 3 categories:
- Tumor of B cells
♥Precursor B cell neoplasms (B cell ALL)
♥Peripheral B cell neoplasms (mantle cell lymphomas,
follicular lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma) - Tumor of T cells and NK cells
♥Precursor T cell neoplasms (T cell ALL)
♥Peripheral T/NK cell neoplasms (NK cell leukemia, mycosis fungoides) - Hodgkin lymphomas
♥Classical Hodgkin lymphoma
♥NLPHL- nodular lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin lymphoma
Whether a leukemia/lymphoma is of a B, T or NK can be determined by B/T/NK cell markers (CDs,
receptors, enzymes). Whether it is precursor or peripheral depends on the stage where the malignant
transformation occurs;
Precursor
*lympho/myeloBLASTIC cells (bigger, less cytoplasm, less condensed chromatin)
*high rate of proliferation
*less differentiated
→ Acute leukemia / aggressive lymphoma;
after the first clinical sign manifests in the patient, deterioration is relatively very fast (death after 6-12
months).
*Occur mainly in children / young adults
*Pre-B cell neoplasms occur in the BM while
pre-T cell neoplasms occur in the thymus
Peripheral
*lympho/myeloCYTIC cells (smaller, more cytoplasm, more condensed chromatin)
*low rate of proliferation
*more differentiated
→ Chronic leukemia / indolent lymphoma
NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMAS
Generally indolent tumors progress slower but are harder to treat and appear in elderly
patients. On the contrast, aggressive tumors progress very fast but are easier to treat and
appear in younger patients.
♥SLL (small lymphocytic lymphoma) / CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
Indolent
Cause:
*Trisomy of chromosome 12 (protooncogene) or
*deletion of chromosome 11/13 (tumor suppressor gene)
This interferes with the BCRs → naïve B lymphocytes stop maturing and die too slowly →
accumulation of naïve lymphocytes in the BM and transfer into the blood and from there to
various tissues;
*BM
*liver, spleen → hepatosplenomegaly
*Lymph node → lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph node) → accumulation into
masses → lymphoma
This “crowds out” the healthy B cells, suppressing their normal function and often resulting
in anemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia
The reduced function of the B cells may result in;
*autoimmune hemolytic anemia (antibodies are produced against the patients own RBCs)
*Hypo-ɤ-globulinemia (abnormally low concentration of globulins in the plasma)
*Richter syndrome- when a cell enters a lymph node and proliferates there progressing to
DLBL.
Features (problem with a naïve lymphocyte in the circulation):
*+ for B cells markers
*+ for CD5 (T cell marker)
Morphology
The circulating tumor cells are fragile and during the preparation of smears frequently are
disrupted, producing characteristic smudge cells
Reactive lymphadenopathies (acute lymphadenitis, follicular and paracortical hyperplasia, sinus histiocytosis, toxoplasma lymphadenitis, mononucleosis, dermatopathic lymphadenopthy)
Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy – inflammation of lymph nodes due to drainage of
REACTIVE LYMPHADENITIS
Enlargement of a lymph node. Can be:
♥Acute, painful- when a lymph node drains a region with an acute infection.
*Confined to a local group of nodes draining the area of infection (can also be generalized
in case of systemic infection).
Characterized by large germinal centers containing numerous mitotic figures.
♥Chronic, painless- depending on the causative agent, the following areas of the lymph
node can be enlarged:
- Follicular hyperplasia
(enlargement of the follicles); can
be caused by chronic disorders
like RA and early stages of HIV
infections. - Paracortical hyperplasia
(enlargement of the paracortex);
can be cause by viral infections
like EBV (Burkitt lymphoma),
certain vaccinations (smallpox)… - Sinus histiocytosis
(enlargement of the sinuses of the medulla); can be caused by draining of cancers like
breast cancer.
Toxoplasma lymphadenitis – caused by parasitic disease due to infection by the
protozoan Toxoplasma gandii.
infected area of the skin; characterized by the presence of melanin-filled macrophages,
eosinophils and plasma cells.
Chronic myeloproliferative diseases (chronic myeloid leukemia, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, primary myelofibrosis)
CHRONIC MYELOPROLIFERATIVE DISEASES
Neoplastic proliferation of mature cells of the myeloid lineage, commonly associated with
mutated tyrosine kinases.
The disorders include:
♥Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
♥Polycythemia vera (PCV).
♥Primary myelofibrosis
♥Essential thrombocythemia.
They are named after the predominant cell (all of them increase in number).
Myeloproliferative diseases result in high WBC counts (neutrophils > 100,000 cell/µL) and in
hypercellular BM.
CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA
Increased proliferation of mature myeloid cells, especially granulocytes.
Affects adults between 25 and 60 years of age
Cause:
t(9,22) balanced; the resultant chromosome 22 is referred to as “Philadelphia chromosome”
Neutrophils counts are high both in CML and when there is an inflammation. So what
features are characteristic for CML?
1.Basophilia
2.LAP- leukocyte alkaline phosphate
3.t(9,22)
Treatment
Imatinib → blocks tyrosine kinase activity
POLYCYTHEMIA VERA
Increased proliferation of mature myeloid cells, especially erythrocytes.
Cause:
Mutation in JAK2, a tyrosine kinase → hypersensitivity of the cells to EPO
Clinical signs:
*RBCs mass↑ → ɳ↑ → stasis→ blurry vision, flushed face…thrombosis (Budd-Chiari
syndrome) – hepatic vein thrombus → infarcts
*Serum EPO levels↓
*Itching after bathing (high nr. of basophils).
Treatment
Phlebotomy
Without treatment death will usually occur within a one-year period
PRIMARY MYELOFIBROSIS
Increased proliferation of mature myeloid cells, especially megakaryocytes.
Cause:
Mutation in JAK2, a tyrosine kinase → megakaryocytes overproduce PDGF → fibroblasts
deposit collagen→ marrow fibrosis
Clinical signs:
hematopoiesis can NOT longer take place in the BM → shift to the liver and spleen →
*hepatosplenomegaly
*leucoerythroblastic smear (no reticulin gate to prevent immature cells from entering the
circulation)
*fatigue, infections, thrombosis (not enough cells are produced)
*tear-drop cells (little hematopoiesis will still take place in BM but because it is fibrosed, the
RBCs will get squeezed while trying to leave to the circulation)
ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTHEMIA
Increased proliferation of mature myeloid cells, especially platelets.
Cause:
Mutation in JAK2, a tyrosine kinase → unknown → abnormal PLTs → bleeding / thrombosis
Clinical signs:
Usually asymptomatic
*No significant risk for hyperuricemia or gout
Definition of leukemia. Acute myeloid leukemias. Myelo-dysplastic syndromes (WHO classification)
Pre-leukemic condition with increased chance to develop AML.
GENERAL FEATURES OF LEUKEMIAS
Leukemia – a group of malignancies of either lymphoid or myeloid origin, which primarily
involves the bone marrow with spillage of neoplastic cells into the blood.
*Leukemic cells may go through circulation to lymphoid tissues and make a solid mass =>
lymphoma.
Leukemia can be either acute or chronic:
» Acute leukemia – characterized by rapid increase in the number of immature
blood cells (blasts >20%); their accumulation within the bone marrow
suppresses the normal hematopoietic stem cells, resulting in the decreased
number of WBCs, RBCs and platelets.
» Chronic leukemia – characterized by the excessive build up of relatively mature,
but abnormal, leukocytes, and by slow progression
General features of acute leukemia:
*lympho/myeloBLASTIC cells (bigger, less cytoplasm, less condensed chromatin)
*high rate of proliferation
*less differentiated
*Pre-B cell neoplasms occur in the BM while pre-T cell neoplasms occur in the thymus
*Occur mainly in children / young adults
*Rapidly growing tumors- after the first clinical sign manifests in the patient, deterioration is
relatively very fast (death after 6-12 months).
Acute leukemias can be classified according to their lineage, either AML (acute myeloid
leukemia), or ALL (acute lymphoid leukemia).
ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA
Usually affects adults (>50 y)
We already talked about the meaning of; acute and leukemia.
But how can we determine whether the neoplastic cell is of a myeloid or a lymphoid
lineage? See topic 58
*The clinical signs and symptoms closely resemble those produced by ALL.
1→ Associated with acquired mutations in TFs that inhibit normal myeloid differentiation,
leading to accumulation of cells at earlier stages of development.
Acute promyelocytic leukemia
t(15,17) → fusion of the retinoic acid receptor α (RAR α) gene on chromosome 17 and the
PML gene on chromosome 15 → PML/RARα fusion protein → blocks myelocyte
differentiation → promyelocyte unable to mature → accumulates
*Promyelocytic cells contain large numbers of Auer rods → increased risk of coagulation →
DIC (medical emergency)
*Treatment; ATRA; all trans retinoic acid receptor (vitamin A derivative) → binds to RAR →
promyelocyte matures into neutrophil → neutrophils die → decreased leukemic burden
More recently, it has been noted that the combination of ATRA and arsenic trioxide, a salt
that induces the degradation of the PML/RARA fusion protein, is even more effective than
ATRA alone, producing cures in more than 80% of patients.
II→ when CML or other dysplastic syndromes progresses into AML
IV→
*Surface markers: CD 13, 14, 15
*Cell type:
♥Erythroblast AML
♥Megakaryoblast AML
Megakaryoblstic leukemia- NO myeloperoxidase!
Associated with down syndrome below the age of 5.
♥Monoblast AML
Acute monocytic leukemia- NO myeloperoxidase! Infiltrated gums.
MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES
# The bone marrow is replaced by clonal progeny of mutant multipotent stem cell that
retains its capacity to differentiate into RBCs, granulocytes or platelets => all are
defective (mainly megaloblastoid erythroid precursor)
# The abnormal stem cell clone is genetically unstable => additional mutations occur,
and transformation into AML develops in 10%-40% of the cases.
# Karyotype abnormalities include loss of chromosome 5 or 7, or deletion of their long
arm, and trisomy 8.
# Response to chemotherapy is poor.
Anemias of reduced erythropoiesis (iron deficiency anemia, megaloblastic anemias, aplastic anemia, anemias of chronic disease)
IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA
The most common form of nutritional deficiency anemia.
Total body iron content => women 2.5g, men 3.5g.
~80% of functional iron is found in hemoglobin.
The rest (~20%) is found in myoglobin and iron-containing enzymes.
Iron storage pool is represented by hemosiderin and ferritin-bound iron, found mainly in the liver, spleen, bone marrow and skeletal muscle.
Serum ferritin => indicator of body iron stores. (33% ~)
Iron is absorbed in the duodenum:
The transfer between transferring receptor and ferritin expression is regulated by hepcidin, which is synthesized in the liver and secreted in an iron-dependent fashion (iron => hepcidin ).
Hepcidin binds to ferroportin and induces its internalization, thus less iron is transported out of the enterocytes to plasma transferring.
Negative iron balance can be caused by:
Low dietary intake, especially vegetarians.
Malabsorption due to celiac disease (an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the small intestine).
Increased demands of iron, not met by normal dietary intake, like during pregnancy and infancy.
Chronic blood loss may occur from GI tract (ulcer, colonic cancer, and hemorrhoids), or from the female genital tract (menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, and cancer).
Morphology –
RBCs are microcytic (small cells), and hypochromic (paler than usual) => MCV , MCHC
Iron deficiency is accompanied by increase in platelet count.
Erythropoietin level increases due to hypoxia (results from reduced number of RBCs), but the bone marrow cannot meet the demands of RBC production because of iron deficiency.
Clinical course – in most cases asymptomatic, but manifestations such as weakness and pallor (paleness) may appear; pica is characteristic (consumption of non-foodstuff such as dirt or clay).
Diagnostic criteria – anemia, microcytic and hypochromic RBCs, ferritin in serum, iron in serum, transferring saturation , good response to iron treatment.
ANEMIA OF CHRONIC DISEASE
Originates from inflammation-induced depletion of iron, such as chronic microbial infections (osteomyelitis, bacterial endocarditis etc.), chronic immune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis), and neplasms (Hodgkin lymphoma, carcinomas).
Characterized by low serum iron level, and RBCs that are either normocytic and normochromic, or microcytic and hypochromic.
Associated with increased storage of iron in the bone marrow, high serum ferritin level and reduced iron-binding capacity.
Major cause of these findings is high level of hepcidin, resulting from the presence of cytokines produced during inflammation (IL-6).
Effective treatment of the underlying condition can cure the anemia.
MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIA
Caused by folate deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency, both are required for DNA synthesis.
Pathogenesis –
Enlargement of erythroid precursors (megaloblasts), which give rise to abnormally large RBCs (macrocytes).
Granulocyte precursors are also enlarged (giant metamyelocytes), which give rise to hyper-segmented neutrophils.
The cellular gigantism is caused by impairment of DNA synthesis resulting in the delay of cell division, BUT the synthesis of RNA and cytoplasmic elements proceeds as normal, thus outpaces that of the nucleus => nuclear-cytoplasmic asynchrony.
Some megaloblasts undergo apoptosis in the bone marrow (ineffective hematopoiesis), others are released into the blood stream, but have shorter than usual lifespan.
Morphology – hypercellular bone marrow, nuclear-cytoplasmic asynchrony of megaloblasts and granulocyte precursors; in peripheral blood => hyper-segmented neutrophils (>5 lobes), and macrocytes (giant RBCs).
Folate Deficiency Anemia
Not common cause for megaloblastic anemia
Poor diet or increased metabolic need (pregnant woman)
Absorption be block by drug (Phenytoin) or by malabsorptive disorders (Celiac disease)
Metabolism can be block by drugs (Methotrexate – used in chemotherapy, and autoimmune disease)
Tetrahydrofolate (created from Dihydrofolate using the enzyme Dihydrofolate reductase) act as donor or acceptor of carbon in purines synthesis
Clinical features – same as B12 deficiency but NO neurological abnormalities
Vitamin B12 Deficiency (Cobalamin) Anemia (Pernicious Anemia)
Same as Folate but also cause demyelinating disorder of peripheral nerves and spinal cords.
absorption through intrinsic factor (parietal cells of fundus mucosa) in the ileum
delivery to the liver by transcobalamins
malabsorption due to gastric mucosal atrophy
autoimmune reaction against
parietal cells
intrinsic factor
malabsorption in the distal ileum (Crohn, Whipple)
APLASTIC ANEMIA
A disorder in which multipotent myeloid stem cells are suppressed, leading to marrow failure and pancytopenia.
In most cases, aplastic anemia is idiopathic; in other cases, it is caused by exposure to myelotoxic agents (drugs and chemicals).
Pathogenesis –
It seems that autoreactive T cells play an important role.
The events that trigger the T cell attack are unclear.
Rare genetic conditions that may predispose for aplastic anemia have inherited defects in telomerase (needed for maintenance and stability of chromosomes).
Morphology – the bone marrow is HYPOcellular, more than 90% of inter-trabecular spaces are occupied by fat.
Clinical course –
Affects persons of all ages and both sexes.
It is a slowly progressive anemia causing weakness, pallor and dyspnea.
Thrombocytopenia and granulocytopenia may occur.
NO splenomegaly.
General features of anemia. Blood loss anemia. Hemolytic anemias.
GENERAL FEATURES OF ANEMIA
Anemia – the reduction of oxygen transport capacity of the blood, resulting from decrease in number of RBCs (bleeding, increased destrucrion/decreased production), or reduced concentration of hemoglobin.
Decreased tissue ox tension triggers increased production of erythropoietin from specialized cells in kidney 🡪 compensatory hyperplasia of erythroid precursors in BM and, in severe anemias, the appearance of extramedullary hematopoiesis within secondary hematopoietic organs (liver, spleen, lymph nodes). Reticulocytes can be detected in peripheral blood (anemias due to decreased production are associated with reticulocytopenia).
Anemias can be also classified on the basis of RBC morphology:
Microcytic (iron def, thalassemia)
Macrocytic (folate/B12 def)
Normocytic with abnormal shape (hereditary sherocytosis, sickle cell)
and by color (normo/hyper/hypo-chromic)
Possible tests:
iron (anemia due to iron def/chronic disease/thalassemia)
plasma unconjugated bilirubin, LDH, haptoglobin (hemolytic anemias)
folate/b12 cc (low in megaloblastic anemias)
Hb electrophoresis
Coombs test (immunohemolytic anemia)
In case anemia occurs along thrombocytopenia/granulocytopenia, likely to be associated with BM aplasia/infiltration – BM examination
Clinical consequence are determined its by severity, rapidity of onset and underlying pathogenic mechanism.
If onset is slow, compensatory mechanism by increase plasma volume, CO, respiratory rate, level of red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (enhance release of O2 from Hb).
Pallor, fatigue are common to all forms of anemia. Anemias that result from ineffective hematopoiesis are associated with inappropriate increase in iron abs, damage to endocrine and heart.
The lowered oxygen content of the circulating blood leads to dyspnea on mild exertion. Hypoxia can cause fatty change in the liver, myocardium, and kidney.
myocardial hypoxia manifests as angina pectoris, particularly when complicated by pre-existing coronary artery disease. With acute blood loss and shock. Central nervous system hypoxia can cause headache, dimness of vision, and faintness.
BLOOD LOSS ANEMIA
Acute (>20% of blood volume)
Immediate threat => hypovolemic shock.
The anemia is normocytic and normochromic.
Characterized by elevated erythropoietin level, which stimulates RBCs production. (5-7 days)
If the bleeding is sufficiently massive to cause a decrease in blood pressure, the compensatory release of adrenergic hormones mobilizes granulocytes and results in leukocytosis
Chronic
induces anemia only when the rate of loss exceeds the regenerative capacity of the marrow or when iron reserves are depleted and iron deficiency anemia appears
Iron is needed for heme synthesis and effective erythropoiesis.
Iron deficiency leads to chronic anemia of underproduction of RBCs.
The anemia is microcytic and hypochromic.
HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA
Anemia that is associated with accelerated destruction of RBCs.
Destruction can be caused by either inherent defects (intra-corpuscular), which are usually inherited, or by external factor (extra-corpuscular), which are usually acquired.
All hemolytic anemias are characterized by:
Increased rate of RBCs destruction.
Compensatory increase in erythropoiesis that results in reticulocytosis.
Retention of the products of RBCs destruction (iron – hemosiderosis)
Hemolytic anemias are associated with erythroid hyperplasia within the bone marrow, and an increased reticulocyte count in peripheral blood.
Hemolysis can occur in:
Intravascular (within vascular compartments)
Caused by mechanical trauma (cardiac valves, thrombotic narrowing of microcirc.
Biochemical or physical agents that damage the membrane (parasite/toxins)
Leads to hemoglobinemia, hemoglobinuria, and hemosiderinuria
Heam🡪bilirubin results in unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice.
massive hemolysis may lead to acute tubular necrosis
Haptoglobin (clears free hb) is depleted from plasma, high levels of LDH. Free hemoglobin oxidizes to methemoglobin, which is brown in color, some passes out in the urine, imparting a red brown color.
Extravascular (within phagocytic cells)
More common
Occurs in spleen and liver
Phagocytes remove damaged cells from circulation
Leads to systemic hemosiderosis
Not associated with hemoglobinemia/hemoglobinuria, yet produces jaundice, if long-lasting leads to formation of bilirubin-rich gallstones.
Haptoglobin is decreased (some hb escapes macrophage to plasma), LDH elevated
Reactive hyperplasia of mononuclear phagocytes🡪splenomegaly
Intra-corpuscular hemolytic anemias:
Hereditary membrane defects
Hereditary spherocytosis
Hemoglobin synthesis defects
Sickle cell anemia
Thalassemias
Enzyme deficiency of RBCs
G6PD deficiency
Acquired membrane defects
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Extra-corpuscular anemias
Immunohemolytic anemias
Warm antibody immunohemolytic anemia
Cold antibody immunohemolytic anemia
Erythrocytosis fetalis
Mechanical trauma to RBCs
Infections
Mechanical damage
INTRA-CORPUSCULAR HEMOLYTIC ANEMIAS
Hereditary membrane defects
Abnormality of spectrin and ankrin, proteins of the RBC skeleton, which reduces membrane stability.
In circulation, the cells are exposed to circulatory stress, making them lose membrane fragments.
This reduces membrane surface area, forces the cells to assume spherical shape.
These spherical cells cannot leave the cords of the spleen (cannot undergo deformation like discoid RBCs), and eventually are destroyed.
Morphology – small spheric RBCs, splenomegaly, hyperplasia of red cell progenitor cells, increased number of macrophages in splenic cords.
Hemoglobin synthesis defects
Sickle cell anemia
Characterized by mutation in β-globin chain, glutamate is replaced by valine at the 6th position, creating hemoglobin S (HbS).
Upon deoxygenation, RBC shifts to sickle form, oxygenation transforms it back to normal; eventually, irreversible change to sickle shape.
The sickling of RBCs is affected by the presence of other hemoglonib types, the concentration of HbS, and the amount of time RBCs are exposed to O2.
Morphology – splenomegaly at early stage, splenic scarring and shrinkage at later stage; capillary stasis => ischemia, infarction fatty change and hemolysis.
Thalassemias – autosomal dominant
Enzyme deficiency of RBCs
G6PD deficiency => X-linked.
RBCs are vulnerable to injury by oxidants, which are usually inactivated by reduced glutathione (GSH).
G6PD produces NADPH needed for reduction of GSH (if GSH is not reduced, it cannot inactivate oxidants).
No symptoms unless RBCs are subjected to oxidants injury.
Oxidative stress => hemoglobin oxidation and denaturation => intracellular precipitations (Heinz bodies) => cell membrane flexibility decreases => hemolysis.
Acquired membrane defects
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria – caused by membrane defects due to mutation in myeloid stem cells.
The mutation occurs in proteins that block complement activation, resulting in spontaneous activation and hemolysis.
EXTRA-CORPUSCULAR ANEMIA
Immunohemolytic anemias
Warm antibody immunohemolytic anemia
Caused by IgG (rarely by IgA), active at 37oC
Primary in most cases, but can be secondary (associated with a disease affecting the immune system)
Hemolysis results from the opsonization of RBCs => phagocytosis in the spleen
Cells become spheroidal due to failed phagocytosis
Cold antibody immunohemolytic anemia
Caused by IgM, active only at 30oC (distal parts of the body)
IgM fixes complement system components, BUT the cells are not lysed at this temperature
The opsonized RBCs travel to warmer places where IgM is released, complement becomes active and causes phagocytosis
Erythroblastosis fetalis
Hemolysis induced by antibodies in newborns
Antigens of fetal RBCs enter maternal circulation during labor, thus sensitize the mother => increases the risk of harmful outcomes during next pregnancies (Rh incompetability, ABO incompetability)
Mechanical trauma to RBCs
Infections (Malaria)
Multiplies within liver cells, enters RBCs and goes through reproduction for 48 hours
Newly formed organisms escape RBCs by destroying them
Mechanical damage
Cardiac valve prosthesis => turbulent flow => cell damage
Vessels obstruction due to fibrin deposition => cells are destroyed when passing through
Decreased RBCs production:
Hematopoietic cell damage.
Deficiency of factors needed for heme synthesis (iron), or DNA synthesis (vitamin B12, folic acid).
Increased RBCs loss:
External blood loss (hemorrhage).
RBC destruction (hemolytic anemia).
Can be caused by:
α-thalassemia => deletion of α-globin genes.
β-thalassemia => deletion of β-globin genes.
Sickle cell anemia => base point mutation, resulting in the replacement of glutamine by valine.
G6PD deficiency => failure of erythrocytes under oxidative stress.
Large-vessel vasculitis (Giant-cell arteritis, Takayashu’s arteritis). Infectious vasculitis.
LARGE VESSEL VASCULITIDES
♥Giant cell arteritis
The most common vasculitis
>50 years, more common in females
Effects arteries of head, especially temporal arteries → headache
in the ophthalmic artery → visual disturbances
in arteries supplying the jaw (maxillary) → pain when chewing “claudication”
Etiology; Immunologic mechanisms
*Antibodies against endothelial cells
*cell mediated (autoreactive T cells)
Clinical features:
↑↑ESR
Biopsy: giant cells (which are actually granulomas) embedded in the internal elastic lamina
*Because temporal arteritis is extremely segmental, adequate biopsy requires at least a 2- to
3-cm length of artery; even
then, a negative biopsy
result does not exclude the
diagnosis.
Treatment; corticosteroids (to treat inflammation)
♥Takayasu arteritis
Mostly seen in Asian women <40
Affects the aorta and arteries branching from the aortic
arch (elastic arteries)
*branches serving the upper extremities: weak or nonexistent pulse (loss of function- cannot accommodate
systolic volume and coil back)
*branches serving the head: visual and neurological
symptoms, dizziness etc.
*corneal ostial stenosis
*aortic stenosis
Clinical features: same as giant cell arthritis except for segmentation.
Treatment; same as giant cell arthritis
Infectious Vasculitis
♥Direct- direct invasion of an infectious agent; fungi but mainly bacteria (Aspergillus and
Mucor spp)- they released exotoxins for example.
♥Indirect- a bacteria causes inflammation and endothelial cells are damaged because of
the many harmful cytokines etc.
Example: molecular mimicry; streptococcus causes endocarditis → vasculitis
Medium vessel vasculitis (polyarteriitis nodosa, Kawasaki’s disease, Buerger’s disease)
MEDIUM VESSEL VASCULITIDES
Typically effect a large variety of muscular arteries that supply organs
♥Kawasaki disease
<5 years old
effects the coronary arteries (transmural); may lead to MI
Clinical features:
Conjunctivitis
Rash
Adenopathy
Strawberry tongue
Hands and feet are swollen & rash
♥Polyarthritis Nodosa
Seen in young adults primarily
Multiple visceral arteries (mainly renal NOT pulmonary!)
Molecular mimicry; endothelium confused with HBV
Segmental (appears like beads on angiogram).
Causes transmural inflammation (tunica intima, media and adventitia are all infected).
treatment; corticosteroids (to treat inflammation)
NOT associated with ANCA!
Frequently accompanied by fibrinoid necrosis.
♥Buerger’s disease
Men 20-40 years old, tobacco might be the cause endothelium is attacked
Notorious for causing blood clots in tiny arteries in the fingers and toes (mainly tibial
and radial arteries) → dead tissue → autoamputation
spreads to adjacent veins and nerves.
Segmental.
Small-vessel (microscopic polyangitis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, granulomatosis with polyangiitis)
SMALL VESSEL VASCULITIDES
Effect arterioles, capillaries and venules
B cells produce antibodies ANCA (anti neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies, mainly IgG)
against granules made by self-neutrophils
♥Wegner’s granulomatosis
Middle aged males. Affects vessels in the:
*nasopharynx:
sinusitis → chronic pain
ulcers → bloody mucous
Saddle nose deformity
*Can spread to ear → otitis media
*lungs
difficulty breathing
ulcers → bloody cough
*kidneys
glomeruli die → urine production↓ & BP↑
cANCA (c for cytoplasmic) bind to a specific neutrophil granule; proteinase 3 → neutrophil
releases free radicals → nearby endothelium damaged
RELAPSES
treatment; corticosteroids (to treat inflammation) & cyclophosphamide (immunosuppressor)
*If untreated, death within one year
♥Microscopic polyangiitis
Very similar to Wegner’s granulomatosis but:
Only affects blood vessels of lungs and kidneys, NOT nasopharynx
No granulomas
Characterized by presence of pANCA myeloperoxidase instead of proteinase 3
Same treatment, also relapses
♥Churg-strauss syndrome
PANCA
similar symptoms: sinusitis, lung, kidney damage but ALSO GI, skin, nerve and heart
damage like some medium vessel vasculitis diseases
Granulomas can form
Eosinophils↑ + symptoms → mistaken with allergy
Vasculitides. Definition, pathogenesis, classification. Leuko-cytoclastic vasculitis.
Inflammation of vessel walls of virtually any type of vessel.
Vasculitides usually occur because of
1. Immunologic mechanisms (auto immune diseases)
*Immune complex deposition
type III hypersensitivity; SLE
*ANCA mediated (anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies)
cANCA (cytoplasmic)- target proteinase 3 & pANCA (perinuclear) target myeloperoxidase
Proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase are expressed on the cell surface of irritated neutrophils
but ALSO macrophages and endothelial cells! (so no ANCAs produced when there is no
inflammation)
*Antibodies against endothelial cells
*cell mediated (autoreactive T cells)
2. Infectious mechanisms
Direct invasion by infectious pathogens like varicella zoster virus and some fungi.
- Physical / chemical injuries
*Distinguishing between the different etiologies is extremely important when choosing the
treatment! Corticosteroids will be useful fighting the infection when immunologic
mechanisms are the cause of vasculitis, but they will be harmful when infectious
mechanisms are the cause!.
Damaged endothelium leads to: - weakening of BV → aneurysm → rupture of small vessels→ microhemorrhage (purpura)
- exposed underlying collagen and TF→ coagulation
- healing → fibrin deposition → vessel stiffness
→ reduced lumen diameter → organ ischemia
Systemic symptoms of vasculitis (only in severe cases of vasculitides).
Severe inflammation → many inflammatory cells activated → high amount of cytokines in
the body reach receptor in the hypothalamus; Fever, fatigue and weight loss
Cytokine R on hepatocytes → CRP (APC) produced → CRP stick to RBCs → sticky → ESR↑
*Specific symptoms depend on the organ supplied by the pathological BV
Vasculitides are characterized by the size of the BVs they affect:
Large, medium and small
Definition of dysplasia. Precancerous lesions.
DEFINITION OF DYSPLASIA
Disordered, non-neoplastic, cellular growth
Often arises from longstanding pathologic hyperplasia (e.g., endometrial hyperplasia) or
metaplasia (e.g., Barrett esophagus).
Dysplasia is reversible, in theory, with alleviation of inciting stress. If stress persists, dysplasia
progresses to carcinoma (irreversible).
The term dysplasia is typically used when the cellular abnormality is restricted to the
originating tissue.
For example; epithelial dysplasia of the cervix consists of an increased population of
immature cells which are restricted to the mucosal surface, and have not invaded through
the BM to the deeper soft tissues.
If the dysplastic cells span the entire thickness of the epithelium the lesion is referred to
carcinoma in situ.
Myelodysplastic syndromes, or dysplasia of blood-forming cells, show increased numbers of
immature cells in the bone marrow, and a decrease in mature, functional cells in the blood.
PRECANCEROUS LESIONS
Abnormalities that with time, have an increased risk of developing into cancer.
Early
removal may prevent the development of a cancer.
These consist of genetically and phenotypically altered cells that exhibit a higher risk to
develop to malignant tumors.
Arise in the setting of chronic tissue injury or inflammation, which may increase the
likelihood of malignancy by stimulating continuing regenerative proliferation or by exposing
cells to byproducts of inflammation, both of which can lead to somatic mutations
These lesions include:
» Squamous metaplasia and dysplasia of the bronchial mucosa, seen in
habitual smokers - a risk factor for lung cancer
» Endometrial hyperplasia and dysplasia, seen in women with unopposed
estrogenic stimulation - a risk factor for endometrial carcinoma
» Leukoplakia of the oral cavity, vulva, or penis, which may progress to
squamous cell carcinoma
» Villous adenomas of the colon, associated with a high risk of transformation
to colorectal carcinoma
Systemic effects of neoplasia (para-neoplastic syndromes, immunosuppression, cachexia)
Both malignant and benign tumors can cause morbidity and mortality.
SYSTEMIC EFFECT OF NEOPLASIA
# Clinical features:
» Location and impingement on adjacent structures
- Small tumor in the pituitary gland, either malignant or benign, may
compress and destroy the gland. (hypopituitarism)
- Leiomyoma in the renal artery may lead to ischemia and hypertension.
» Functional activity (e.g: hormone synthesis/paraneoplastic syndrome)
- Seen in neoplasms of endocrine glands.
- Adenoma/carcinoma in beta cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans
can cause hyperinsulinism
- Adenoma/carcinoma of adrenal cortex can affect aldosterne secretion
(Na retention), hypertension, hypokalemia
» Ulceration
- Tumors may cause ulceration through a surface, leading to bleeding and
infection.
» Cancer cachexia
- Loss of body fat, wasting, profound weakness.
» Rupture/infraction
PARANEOPLASTIC SYNDROMES
# Refers to symptoms that are not directly related to the spread of the tumor or to
hypersecretion of hormones caused by the tumor. (ectopic secretions)
# Paraneoplastic (10-15% of patients) syndromes are important because:
1) They may represent early manifestations of neoplasm.
2) They may cause significant clinical problems, and may be lethal.
3) They may mimic metastatic disease, confounding treatment
♥Cushing syndrome cortisol ACTH small cell lung / pancreatic carcinoma
*hypercalcemia
*hypertension
*obesity
*moon facies
♥Hypercalcemia PTH squamous cells carcinoma of lung / breast cancer
♥Hyponatremia ADH small cell lung carcinoma
♥Dehydration and diherria VIP GI tumor
♥Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis
CACHEXIA “wasting syndrome”
# Progressive loss of body fat accompanied by profound weakness and anemia.
# Occurs in 50% of cancer patients. Accounts for 20% of cancer-deaths.
# Cachexia is NOT caused by nutritional demands of the tumor, but it is caused by the
action of cytokines produced by the tumor.
# In cancer patients, calorie expenditure and BMR are high, despite reduced food intake.
# The basis of these metabolic abnormalities is unknown, but it is suspected that TNF
(also commonly referred to as cachectin) and IL-1 produced by macrophages in
response to tumor cells (or by the tumor itself), may mediate cachexia;
*TNF inhibits NPY → no signal sent to feeding center in hypothalamus
*TNF inhibits lipoprotein lipase → no release of FFAs from lipoproteins.
# Mobilizing factor – proteolysis-inducing factor, which causes breakdown on skeletal
muscle protein has been detected in the serum of cancer patients.
IMMUNOSUPRESSION
# Bone marrow suppression by tumor factors (leukemia? Monoclonal expansion of AB?)
# Toxicity of chemotherapy, irradiation of BM
# Malnutrition, anorexia
Laboratory diagnosis of cancer (histopathology, cytopathology and molecular methods)
Specimen evaluation and classification
MORPHOLOGIC METHODS
In order to determine whether a tumor is benign or malignant, it is usually enough to
examine the general characteristics; rate of growth, invasiveness, presence or lack of
metastasis, clinical features etc. But some benign tumors express malignant characteristics
and vice versa.
Therefore, in order to classify a tumor with certainty, histopathological
examinations are required.
Sampling techniques
» Excision or biopsy – removal of the tumor with margin, or of a large mass of
the tumor, preserve in fixation and microscopically analyzed.
» Frozen section – a sample is quick frozen and sectioned, permits immediate
histologic evaluation.
» Fine-needle aspiration – used with palpable lesions (breast, thyroid, lymph
nodes, salivary glands); involves aspiration of cells from a mass, followed by
cytologic examination of the smear.
» Cytologic smears – neoplastic cells are less adhesive and shed into fluids or
secretions; these cells are then evaluated for anaplastic features.
Verifying whether the tumor is benign or malignant using pleomorphism
Determining the TYPE of cell using Immunocytochemistry – detection of characteristic
proteins by specific monoclonal antibodies, labeled with peroxidase. Cells the have the
antigen and that react with the specific antibody will be stained in brown.
IHC for keratin → keratin + → epithelial cells
IHC for vimentin → vimentin + → mesenchymal cells
IHC for desmin → desmin + → muscle cells
We can also use immunohistochemistry to determine from which TISSUE the cell originated;
IHC for PSA → PSA + → prostate
IHC for estrogen receptor → ER + → breasts
*Flow cytometry – used in classification of leukemias and lymphomas; a method in which
antibodies against cell surface molecules and against differentiation markers are labeled
with fluorescence dye, and are used to obtain the phenotype of malignant cells.
TUMOR MARKERS
Substances produced by the tumor or by the host in response to the tumor, and present in
tissues or are released into the serum or body fluids.
They have low sensitivity and specificity and are also produced in non-neoplastic conditions,
so they CANNOT be used for definitive cancer diagnosis, but contribute to determination of
therapy effectiveness or recurrent appearance. Therefore, a biopsy is always needed!
Common markers are:
♥PSA (prostate specific antigen)
Screen for prostatic adenocarcinoma
♥CEA (carcino-embryonic antigen)
Increases in cancers of colon, pancreas, breast and stomach
♥AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)
Produced by hepatocellular carcinoma, and yolk sac remnants in gonads
Elevated in cancers of testes, ovary, pancreas and stomach
Clonality in neoplasia. Genetic progression in cancer. Tumor cell hetero-geneity
Tumor progression – the ability of the tumor to become more aggressive and acquire
Carcinogenesis is the process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells.
Tumors arise from monoclonal growth of a progenitor cell that have inflicted non-lethal
mutations in one or more of the following 4 classes of genes:
» Growth-promoting proto-oncogenes
*a mutation in one of the allele is enough
» Growth-inhibiting tumor suppressor genes
*both alleles must be mutated in order to lose the cell function
» Genes that regulate apoptosis.
» Genes involved in DNA repair.
GENETIC PROGRESSION IN CANCER
greater malignant potential; at the molecular level, tumor progression results from
mutations that accumulate independently in different cells, generating sub-clones with
different characteristics.
Explain about the features of malignant tumors (cancers)
TUMOR CELL HETEROGENEITY
# Malignant tumors are monoclonal in origin, but become extremely heterogenous by
the time they are clinically evident.
# Heterogeneity results from continuous multiple mutations that accumulate in different
cells, generating new sub-clones.
These new sub-clones are subjected to host defenses (immune and non-immune);
some will be destroyed, and some will survive and become “experts” in survival, growth,
invasion and metastasis.
Heredity in cancer. Cancer syndromes.
HEREDITY IN CANCER
Hereditary forms of cancer can be divided into three categories based on their pattern of
inheritance
- Autosomal dominant
Mutation in protooncogenes, transforming into oncogenes.
One hit hypothesis- a mutation in one of the alleles is enough for malignant
transformation. Inheritance of a single mutant gene greatly increases the risk of developing
a tumor.
Retinoblastoma is cancer of the retina. It can be sporadic (60%) or familial; autosomal
recessive- RB is a tumor suppressor gene (40%), but it presents clinically as autosomal
dominant (the risk of developing a mutation in the other allele and developing a tumor is
90%).
Unlike sporadic RB, familial RB develop bilateral tumors, appear at a younger age and are
at high risk of developing a secondary cancers (osteosarcoma)
- Autosomal recessive syndromes
Mutation of tumor suppressor genes or DNA repair genes. Two hit hypothesis- both alleles
must be mutated in order for a malignant transformation to occur.
Greatly increases the predisposition to environmental carcinogens (for example, xeroderma
pigmentosum).
*P53 mutation in 50 % of cancers
3. Familial cancers of uncertain inheritance – A condition that tends to occur more often in
family members than is expected by chance alone.
» Transmission pattern is not clear.
» Carcinomas of colon, breast, ovary, and brain.
CANCER SYNDROMES
In addition to genetic influences, some clinical conditions may predispose to development of
malignant neoplasms;
PRENEOPLASTIC DISORDERS
Chief predisposing conditions:
*Liver cirrhosis → Hepatocellular carcinomas
*Smoking → squamous metaplasia and dysplasia of the bronchial mucosa → lung cancer
*Unopposed estrogenic stimulation → endometrial hyperplasia and dysplasia →
endometrial carcinoma
* Leukoplakia of the oral cavity, vulva, or penis → squamous cell carcinoma
*Benign tumors are usually not precancerous, but exceptions exists; as adenomas of the
colon enlarge, they can undergo malignant transformation in 50% of cases
Mechanisms of local and distant spread. Molecular basics of metastases. Staging of cancer.
LOCAL SPREAD- Invasion
- Loosening; dissociation of a cell from its neighbors (by
downregulation of E-cadherins) - Attachment to laminin of BM
- Destruction of BM (by themselves (production of type IV
collagenase) or induce stromal cells like fibroblasts and to
elaborate proteases. - Attachment to fibronectin in ECM
- Locomotion; propelling tumor cells through the degraded BM
and zones of matrix proteolysi s
DISTAL SPREAD- Metastasis - Vascular Dissemination and Homing of Tumor Cells
Most tumor cells circulate as single cells but some tumor cells form emboli by aggregating and
adhering to circulating WBC, mainly platelets – thus achieve protection from anti-tumor host effector
cells.
Extravasation of free tumor cells or tumor emboli involves adhesion to the vascular endothelium,
followed by egress through the BM into the organ parenchyma by mechanisms similar to those
involved in invasion.
*The site of extravasation and the organ distribution of metastases generally can be predicted by the
location of the primary tumor and its vascular or lymphatic drainage.
Some tumors (lung cancer) tend to involve a specific distal tissue (adrenals), they do so by:
- Expression of adhesion molecules whose ligands are expressed preferentially on endothel of
target cells - Expression of chemokines and their receptors. For example, breast cancer express high levels of
CXCR4/7 chemokine receptors, the ligand of these receptors (CXCR12/21) are expressed only on
those organs to which the cancer metastasize. - Once reaching the target, the stroma must supply the growth demands of the tumor. In some
cases, the tissue may be a nonresponsive environment – for example skeletal muscle are rarely
site of metastases.
*carcinomas tend to spread via lymphatics to regional lymph nodes (breast cancer spread via the
lymphatics to the axillary lymph nodes)
*sarcomas tend to spread through the blood (lungs are characteristic site of spread)
Exceptions:
*Renal cell carcinoma- invades the renal vein
*Hepatocellular carcinoma- hepatic vain
*Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid
*Choriocarcinoma (malignancy of trophoblasts in placental tissue)
*Ovarian carcinoma spreads via body cavities, usually via the omentum.
MOLECULAR BASIS OF METASTASIS
- As tumors grow, individual cells randomly accumulate mutations, creating subclones with
distinct combinations of mutations. - Metastasis, according to this view, is not dependent on the stochastic generation of metastatic
sub clones during tumor progression, but is an intrinsic property of the tumor developed during
carcinogenesis. - A third idea that combines the two above supposes that the metastatic signature is necessary
but not sufficient for metastasis, and that additional mutations are needed for metastasis to
occur. - Candidates for metastasis oncogenes which could promote/suppress metastases are SNAIL and
TWIST, which promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In EMT, carcinoma cells
downregulate certain epithelial markers (e.g., E-cadherin) and upregulate certain mesenchymal
markers (e.g. smooth muscle actin).
These changes are believed to favor the development of a
promigratory phenotype that is essential for metastasis.
STAGING
Based on the size of the primary lesion, its extent of spread to regional lymph nodes, and the presence
or absence of bloodborne metastases.
The major staging system uses a classification called the TNM system:
T; primary tumor
The primary lesion is characterized as T1 to T4 based on increasing size
T0 is used to indicate an in-situ lesion.
N; regional lymph node involvement
N0 would mean no nodal involvement.
N1 to N3 would denote involvement of an increasing number and range of nodes.
M; metastases
M0 signifies no distant metastases
M1 or sometimes M2 indicates the presence of metastases and some judgment as to their number.