Haem Flashcards
Myeloma
what is it
cancer of the plasma cells (a type of B-lymphocyte that produces antibodies)
cancer in a specific type of plasma cell results in large quantities of a single type of antibody being produced
Myeloma
what is multiple myeloma
where the myeloma affects multiple areas of the body
Myeloma
what is monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
where there’s an XS of a single type of antibody or antibody components without other features of myeloma or cancer
may progress to myeloma so routinely followed up
Myeloma
what is smouldering myeloma
where there is progression of MGUS with higher levels of antibodies or antibody components
premalignant and more likely to progress to myeloma than MGUS
Myeloma
what is Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia
a type of smouldering myeloma where there is XS IgM specifically
Myeloma
why are they called B cells
they are found in the bone marrow
Myeloma
pathophysiology
genetic mutation in plasma cells causing it to rapidly and uncontrollably multiply
they produce an abundance of immunoglobulins (usually IgG)
Myeloma
what is a monoclonal paraprotein
a single type of abnormal protein
in this case, IgG produced by all the identical cancerous plasma cells
Myeloma
what can be found in the urine
Bence Jones protein
light chains of the antibody in myeloma
Myeloma
why is there anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
Bone marrow infiltration from the cancerous plasma cells
causes suppression of the development of other blood cell lines
Myeloma
how is myeloma bone disease caused
increased osteoclast activity and suppressed osteoblast activity
caused by cytokines release from the plasma cells and the stromal cells (other bone cells) when they are in contact with the plasma cells
Myeloma
where are common places for myeloma bone disease to happen
the skull, spine, long bones and ribs
Myeloma
what’s the name for patches of thin bone
osteolytic lesions
Myeloma
what can osteolytic lesions lead to
pathological fractures
e.g. fractured femur or vertebra from minimal force
Myeloma
why is there hypercalcaemia in myeloma bone disease
osteoclast activity causes calcium to be reabsorbed from the bone into the blood
Myeloma
what can pts also develop
plasmacytomas
individual tumours made up of the cancerous plasma cells
they occur in the bones, replacing normal bone tissue or can occur outside bones in the soft tissue of the body
Myeloma
why do pts develop renal impairment (4)
- high levels of Ig can block the flow through the tubules
- hypercalcaemia impairs renal function
- dehydration
- bisphosphonates can be harmful to the kidneys
Myeloma
what is the normal plasma viscosity (or internal friction in the flow of blood)
between 1.3 and 1.7 times that of water
blood is 1,3 to 1.7 times thicker than water
Myeloma
why is the plasma viscosity significantly higher
large amounts of Ig in the blood
Myeloma
what issues can raised plasma viscosity cause
- easy bruising
- easy bleeding
- reduced or loss of sight
- purplish palmar erythema
- heart failure
Myeloma
why may there be reduced sight
raised plasma viscosity cause vascular disease in the eye
Myeloma
4 key features of myeloma for exams
CRAB
Calcium (elevated)
Renal failure
Anaemia (normocytic, normochromic) from replacement of bone marrow
Bone lesions/pain
Myeloma
RFs (5)
- older age
- male
- black african ethnicity
- FH
- obesity
Myeloma
when should you consider myeloma
in anyone >60 with
- persistent bone pain esp back
- or unexplained fractures
Myeloma
what initial inx would you perform if suspecting myeloma
- FBC: low WCC
- Ca: raised
- ESR: raised
- plasma viscosity: raised
Myeloma
if any of the initial inx are positive or myeloma is still suspected, what do you do
an urgent serum protein electrophoresis
and a urine Bence-Jones protein test
Myeloma
what initial inx would you perform when testing for myeloma
BLIP
Bence-Jones protein (request urine electrophoresis)
serum-free Light-chain assay
serum Immunoglobulins
serum Protein electrophoresis
Myeloma
which inx is necessary to confirm dx
bone marrow biopsy
Myeloma
what imaging is required to assess for bone lesions (in order of preference)
- whole body MRI
- whole body CT
- skeletal survey (xray images of the full skeleton)
pts only require 1 inx
Myeloma
xray signs
- punched out lesions
- lytic lesions
- raindrop skull
Myeloma
what is raindrop skull
x ray sign caused by many punched out (lytic) lesions throughout the skull that give the appearance of raindrops splashing on a surface
Myeloma
1st line trx
combination of chemo:
- Bortezomid
- Thalidomide
- Dexamethasone
Myeloma
whilst on certain chemo regimes (e.g. thalidomide), what else do pts require
VTE prophylaxis with aspirin or LMWH as there is a higher risk of developing a thrombus
Myeloma
when can stem cell transplantation be used
as part of a clinicial trial where pts are suitable
Myeloma
mnx of myeloma bone disease
- bisphosphonates
- radiotherapy: can improve bone pain
- orthopaedic surgery: can stabilise bones or treat fractures
- cement augmentation
Myeloma
what is cement augmentation
injecting cement into vertebral fractures or lesions and can improve spine stability and pain
Myeloma
complications
- infection
- pain
- renal failure
- anaemia
- hypercalcaemia
- peripheral neuropathy
- spinal cord compression
- hyperviscocity
B12 insufficiency causes
- insufficient dietary intake of B12
- pernicious anaemia
Pernicious anaemia
what is it
an autoimmune condition where antibodies form against the parietal cells or intrinsic factor
Pernicious anaemia
why do pts become B12 deficient
a lack of intrinsic factor prevents the absorption of B12
Pernicious anaemia
what produces intrinsic factor
parietal cells of the stomach
Pernicious anaemia
what does intrinsic factor do
essential for the absorption of B12 in the ileum
Pernicious anaemia
what neurological sx do pts present with in B12 deficiency
- peripheral neuropathy with numbness or paraesthesia (pins and needles)
- loss of vibration sense or proprioception
- visual changes
- mood or cognitive changes
Pernicious anaemia
1st line inx and dx
test for intrinsic factor antibody
gastric parietal cell antibody can also be tested but is less helpful
B12 dietary deficiency mnx
PO cyanocobalamin
Pernicious anaemia
why is oral replacement inadequate
because the problem is with absorption rather than intake
Pernicious anaemia
trx
1mg IM hydroxycobalamin
3 times weekly for 2w, then every 3m
Pernicious anaemia
what do you correct first? folate or B12 deficiency
B12 deficiency because treating pts with folic acid can lead to subacute combined degeneration of the cord
Pernicious anaemia
FBC results
- macrocytic anaemia
- hypersegmented polymorphs on blood film
- low WCC + platelets
Pernicious anaemia
RFs (3)
- female
- autoimmune conditions: vitiligo, thyroid, T1DM, rheumatoid, addison’s
- blood group A
Blood film findings
what is Anisocytosis
variation in size of the RBCs
Blood film findings
which condition is Anisocytosis seen in
- myelodysplasic syndrome
- some forms of anaemia
Blood film findings
what are target cells
have a central pigmented area, surrounded by a ring of thicker cytoplasm on the outside
‘bull’s eye target’
Blood film findings
when can target cells be found
- in iron deficiency anaemia
- in post-splenectomy
Blood film findings
what are Heinz Bodies
individual blobs seen inside RBCs caused by denatured globin
Blood film findings
where are Heinz Bodies seen in
- G6PD deficiency
- alpha thalassaemia
Blood film findings
what are Howell-Jolly bodies
individual blobs of DNA material seen inside RBCs
normally this DNA material is removed from the spleen during circulation of RBCs
Blood film findings
when are Howell-Jolly bodies seen
- post-splenectomy
- severe anaemia where the body is regenerating RBCs quickly
Blood film findings
what are reticulocytes
immature RBCs
Blood film findings
when is there an increase in reticulocytes
when there is rapid turnover in RBCS e.g. haemolytic anaemia
demonstrates that the bone marrow is active in replacing lost cells
Blood film findings
what are schistocytes and what do they indicate
fragments of RBCs
RBCs are being physically damaged by trauma during their journey through the blood vessels
may indicate networks of clots in small blood vessels
Blood film findings
when are schistocytes seen
- HUS
- DIC
- TTP
- replacement metallic heart valves
- haemolytic anaemia
Blood film findings
what are sideroblasts
immature RBCs that contain blobs of iron
they occur when the bone marrow is unable to incorporate iron into the haemoglobin molecules
Blood film findings
which condition may sideroblasts indicate
myelodysplasic syndrome
Blood film findings
what are smudge cells
ruptured WBCs that occur during the process of preparing the blood film due to aged or fragile WBCs
Blood film findings
what can smudge cells indicate
CLL
chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Blood film findings
what are spherocytes
spherical RBCs without the normal bi-concave disk space
Blood film findings
what do spherocytes indicate
- autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
- hereditary spherocytosis
Haemolytic Anaemia
what is it
destruction of RBCs (haemolysis) leading to anaemia
Haemolytic Anaemia
what can inherited haemolytic anaemias cause
RBCs to be more fragile and break down faster than normal
leading to chronic haemolytic anaemia
Haemolytic Anaemia
name the inherited haemolytic anaemias (5)
- hereditary spherocytosis
- hereditary elliptocytosis
- thalassaemia
- sickle cell anaemia
- G6PD deficiency
Haemolytic Anaemia
what can acquired haemolytic anaemias lead to
increased breakdown of RBCs and haemolytic anaemia
Haemolytic Anaemia
name 5 acquired haemolytic anaemias
- autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
- alloimmune haemolytic anaemia (transfusions reactions and haemolytic disease of newborn)
- paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
- microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
- prosthetic valve related haemolysis
Haemolytic Anaemia
features (3)
- anaemia
- splenomegaly
- jaundice
Haemolytic Anaemia
why is there splenomegaly
the spleen becomes filled with destroyed RBCs
Haemolytic Anaemia
why is there jaundice
biliruibin is released during the destruction of RBCs
Haemolytic Anaemia
what would the FBC count show
normocytic anaemia
Haemolytic Anaemia
what does the blood film show
schistocytes (fragments of RBCs)
Haemolytic Anaemia
what test would be positive in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Direct Coombs test
Haemolytic Anaemia
what is the most common inherited haemolytic anaemia in northern Europeans
Hereditary Spherocytosis
Haemolytic Anaemia
what is the inheritance pattern in Hereditary Spherocytosis
autosomal dominant
Haemolytic Anaemia
what does hereditary spherocytosis cause
sphere shaped RBCs that are fragile and easily break down when passing through the spleen
Haemolytic Anaemia
what does hereditary spherocytosis present with
- jaundice
- gallstones
- splenomegaly
Haemolytic Anaemia
Hereditary Spherocytosis: in the presence of parvovirus, what does hereditary spherocytosis present with
aplastic crisis: abnormal decrease in reticulocytes
Haemolytic Anaemia
Hereditary Spherocytosis: what is shown on the blood film
spherocytes
Haemolytic Anaemia
Hereditary Spherocytosis: dx
- FH
- clinical
- spherocytes on blood film
Haemolytic Anaemia
Hereditary Spherocytosis: what would the FBC show
raised mean corpuscular haem conc (MCHC)
raised reticulocytes due to rapid turnover of RBCs
Hereditary Spherocytosis
trx
- folate supplementation
- splenectomy
- cholecystectomy if gallstones are a problem
Hereditary Elliptocytosis
what is it
very similar to hereditary spherocytosis except that the red blood cells are ellipse shaped.
autosomal dominant
presentation + mnx the same
Haemolytic Anaemia
G6PD Deficiency: what is it
defect in the RBC enzyme, G6PD
Haemolytic Anaemia
G6PD Deficiency: whom is it more common in
Mediterranean and African patients
Haemolytic Anaemia
G6PD Deficiency: what is the inheritance pattern
autosomal recessive
Haemolytic Anaemia
G6PD Deficiency: what can crises be triggered by
- fava beans (broad beans)
- infections
- medications
Haemolytic Anaemia
G6PD Deficiency: presentation
- jaundice (usually in neonatal period)
- gallstones
- anaemia
- splenomegaly
Haemolytic Anaemia
G6PD Deficiency: what would the blood film show
Heinz bodies
Haemolytic Anaemia
G6PD Deficiency: diagnostic inx
G6PD enzyme assay
Haemolytic Anaemia
G6PD Deficiency: what medications trigger haemolysis
- primaquine (an antimalarial)
- ciprofloaxacin
- sulfonylureas
- sulfasalazine
- other sulphonamide drugs
patient turns jaundice and becomes anaemic after eating broad beans/ developing an infection/ given antimalarials. what is it
G6PD deficiency
Haemolytic Anaemia
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA): what is it
occurs when antibodies are created against the pt’s RBCs
leading to destruction of the RBCs
Haemolytic Anaemia
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA): what are the 2 types based on
the temp at which the auto-antibodies function to cause the destruction of RBCs
Haemolytic Anaemia
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA): what is the more common type
warm type
Haemolytic Anaemia
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA): what is warm type
haemolysis occurs at normal or above normal temperatures
Haemolytic Anaemia
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA): warm type cause
idiopathic
Haemolytic Anaemia
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA): what is cold type aka
cold agglutinin disease
Haemolytic Anaemia
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA): pathophysiology of cold type
- at <10°C the antibodies attach themselves to RBCs and cause them to clump (agglutination)
- immune system activated against them and destroys RBCs
- they get filtered and destroyed by the spleen
Haemolytic Anaemia
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA): what is cold type often secondary to
- lymphoma
- leukaemia
- SLE
- mycoplasma, EBV, CMV, HIV
Haemolytic Anaemia
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA): mnx
- blood transfusions
- prednisolone
- Rituximab
- splenectomy
Haemolytic Anaemia
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA): what is Rituximab
a monoclonal antibody against B cells
Haemolytic Anaemia
Alloimmune Haemolytic Anaemia: when does it occur (2 scenarios)
1) haemolytic transfusion reactions
2) haemolytic disease of the newborn
Haemolytic Anaemia
Alloimmune Haemolytic Anaemia: what are haemolytic transfusion reactions
foreign RBCs circulate pt’s blood –> immune reaction –> RBCs destroyed
Haemolytic Anaemia
Alloimmune Haemolytic Anaemia: what is haemolytic disease of the newborn
foreign antibodies cross placenta from mum to fetus –> maternal antibodies target antigens on RBCs of fetus –> destruction of the RBCs in the fetus + neonate
Haemolytic Anaemia
what is Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria
rare
when a specific genetic mutation in the haematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow occurs during the pt’s lifetime
Haemolytic Anaemia
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria: what does the mutation result in
loss of proteins on the surface of RBCs that inhibit the complement cascade
so there is activation of the compliment cascade on the surface of RBCs and destruction of RBCs
Haemolytic Anaemia
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria: what is the characteristic presentation
red urine in the morning containing Hb + haemosiderin
Haemolytic Anaemia
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria: what are they predisposed to
- thrombosis
- smooth muscle dystonia (e.g. oesophageal spasm + erectile function)
Haemolytic Anaemia
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria: mnx
- Eculizumab
- bone marrow transplantation (curative)
Haemolytic Anaemia
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria: what is Eculizumab
a monoclonal antibody that targets complement component 5 (C5) causing suppression of the complement system
Haemolytic Anaemia
Microangiopathic Haemolytic Anaemia (MAHA): what is it
where the small blood vessels have structural abnormalities that cause haemolysis of the blood cells travelling through them
Haemolytic Anaemia
Microangiopathic Haemolytic Anaemia (MAHA): cause
secondary to:
- haemolytic uraemic syndrome
- DIC
- TTP
- SLE
- cancer
Haemolytic Anaemia
Prosthetic Valve Haemolysis: how does it cause haemolytic anaemia
the valve churns up the cells and they break down
Haemolytic Anaemia
what is a key complication in prosthetic heart valves and why
haemolytic anaemia caused by turbulence around the valve and collision of RBCs with the implanted valve
Haemolytic Anaemia
Prosthetic Valve Haemolysis: mnx
- monitoring
- PO iron
- blood transfusion if severe
- revision surgery if severe
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what are 3 myeloproliferative disorders to remember
- Primary myelofibrosis
- Polycythaemia vera
- Essential thrombocythaemia
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what do these conditions occur due to
uncontrolled proliferation of a single type of stem cell
considered a type of bone marrow cancer
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what is primary myelofibrosis
proliferation of the haematopoietic stem cell
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what is Polycythaemia vera
proliferation of the erythroid cell line
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what is essential thrombocythaemia
proliferation of the megakaryocytic cell line
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what do they have the protentional to progress and transform into
acute myeloid leukaemia
Myeloproliferative Disorders
mutations in which genes?
- JAK2
- MPL
- CALR
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what is ruxolitinib
JAK2 inhibitor
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what is myelofibrosis
where the proliferation of the cell line leads to fibrosis of the bone marrow
the bone marrow is replaced by scar tissue
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what can cause myelofibrosis
- primary myelofibrosis
- polycythaemia vera
- essential thrombocythaemia
Myeloproliferative Disorders
why does fibrosis occur in the bone marrow in myelofibrosis
in response to cytokines that are released from the proliferating cells
Myeloproliferative Disorders
which particular cytokine is released from proliferating cells in myelofibrosis
fibroblast growth factor
Myeloproliferative Disorders
why can myelofibrosis lead to anaemia and leukopenia *(low WCC)
the fibrosis affects the production of blood cells
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Myelofibrosis: what is extramedullary haematopoiesis
when the bone marrow is replaced with scar tissue, the production of blood cells (haematopoiesis) starts to happen in other areas such as the liver and spleen
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Myelofibrosis: what can extramedullary haematopoiesis lead to
hepatomegaly and splenomegaly –> portal HTN
if occurs at spine –> spinal cord compression
Myeloproliferative Disorders
presentation
initially asymptomatic
systemic sx:
- fatigue
- weight loss
- night sweats
- fever
Myeloproliferative Disorders
signs and sx of underlying complications
- Anaemia (except in polycythaemia)
- Splenomegaly (abdominal pain)
- Portal hypertension (ascites, varices and abdominal pain)
- Low platelets (bleeding and petechiae)
- Thrombosis common in polycythaemia and thrombocythaemia
- Raised RBCs (thrombosis and red face)
- Low WCC (infections)
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Polycythaemia vera: 3 key signs on examination
- conjunctival plethora
- ruddy complexion
- splenomegaly
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Polycythaemia vera: what is conjunctival plethora
excessive redness to the conjunctiva in the eyes
Myeloproliferative Disorders
FBC findings in polycythaemia vera
raised Hb
>185 in men
>165 in women
Myeloproliferative Disorders
FBC findings in primary thrombocythaemia
raised platelet count
>600 x 10^9/l
Myeloproliferative Disorders
FBC findings due to primary MF or secondary to PV or ET
can give variable findings
- Anaemia
- Leukocytosis or leukopenia (high or low white cell counts)
- Thrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia (high or low platelet counts)
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what will the blood film show in myelofibrosis
- teardrop-shaped RBCs
- poikilocytosis
- blasts
Myeloproliferative Disorders
blood film: what is poikilocytosis
varying sizes of red blood cells
Myeloproliferative Disorders
blood film: what are blasts
immature red and white cells
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what is the test of choice to establish a dx
bone marrow biopsy
testing for JAK2, MPL and CALR genes can help guide management.
Myeloproliferative Disorders
what will bone marrow aspiration show
usually ‘dry’ as the bone marrow has turned to scar tissue
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Primary Myelofibrosis: mnx of mild disease with minimal sx
monitored but not actively treated
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Primary Myelofibrosis: mnx
- Allogeneic stem cell transplantation: potentially curative but carries risks
- Chemo: slow progression
- supportive: anaemia, splenomegaly, portal HTN
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Management of Polycythaemia Vera
1st line: Venesection (keep Hb in normal range)
aspirin: reduce thrombus formation
chemo: control the disease