haem Flashcards
diagnosis?
thalassaemia trait
- microcytosis and hypochromia with normal Hb
possible diagnoses? (2)
what if B12 and folate were in normal range?
What if there were macro-ovalocytes and hyper-segmented neutrophils?
haemolytic anaemia
megaloblastic anaemia
If normal B12 + folate = haemolysis or acute blood loss i.e. reticulocytosis
if macro-ovalocytes and hyperseg neutrophils = B12/folate deficiency
polychromasia?
macro ovalocytes and hyperseg neutrophils?
reticulocytes
b12/folate deficiency
what parameter on blood count is likely to be raised in patient with spherocytosis?
MCHC because hyperchromic
how can you differentiate between acute blood loss and haemolysis?
spherocytes
spherocytes are marker of membrane damage
will NOT see them in acute blood loss
what blood count parameters would be raised in haemolytic anaemia? (4)
MCHC (spherocytes)
urinary haemosiderin
serum lactate dehydrogenase
DECREASED serum haptoglobin
when to suspect haemolytic anaemia? (3)
anaemia with polychromasia (reticulocytes) - either ACUTE* blood loss or haemolysis
spherocytes - not seen in acute blood loss
haemosiderin/haemoglobin in urine = intravascular
** chronic blood loss associated with microcytic anaemia due to iron deficiency - reticulocytes will not be present
how to confirm autoimmune haemolysis?
DAT test (Coombs)
Dx = autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Ax autoimmune haemolytic anaemia? (3)
Tx?
infection (CMV, HIV, EBV)
autoimmune disease (lupus)
lymphoma
Tx = steroids 1st line + FOLIC ACID!
blood film shows:
abnormally shaped red cells, neutrohpil segmentation
diagnosis?
myelodysplastic syndrome
i.e. macrocytic anaemia
components of normal haemostatic system? (4)
formation of platelet plug - primary haemostasis
fibrin clot - secondary haemostasis
fibrinolysis
anticoagulant defences - protein C, S, anti-thrombin
when should antiplatelet drugs be stopped prior to surgery?
examples of drugs
approx a week prior to surgery (platelet lifespan 7-10 days)
aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor
steps in primary haemostasis
endothelial damage = expresses VWF
platelets adhere to VWF
aggregation of platelets
failure of primary haemostasis consequences? (4)
spontaneous bruising and purpura (often seen on lower limbs, will blanche)
mucosal bleeding (epistaxes, GI, conjunctiva, menorrhagia)
intracranial haemorrhage
retinal haemorrhage
whats this?
purpura (seen in thrombocytopenia)
causes of primary haemostasis FAILURE? (3)
scurvy, elderly
thrombocytopenia (or reduced platelet function)
VWF defieincy - most common inherited deficiency
secondary haemostasis steps
tissue factor (TF) released from damaged endothelium
TF activates clotting factor VII
VII activates V and X
V and X stimulate prothrombin to become thrombin
thrombin stimulates fibriogen to form fibrin
thrombin also activates clotting factors 8+9
8+9 activate more V and X
causes of FAILURE of secondary haemostasis? (3)
single clotting factor deficiency (usually heridirary e.g. haemophilia)
multiple clotting factor deficiencies (usually acquired e.g. DIC, liver disease, vit K deficiency/Warfarin therapy)
increased fibrinolysis
NB: in multiple clotting factor deficiencies will have prolonged PT and APTT
fibrinolysis process
D-dimer?
TPA converts plasminogen to plasmin
plasmin breaks fibrin into fibrin degredation products (FDPs)
in blood, FDPs show up as D-dimers
consequences of FAILURE of secondary haemostasis?
no characteristic clinical syndrome
bleeding into joints and muscles - haemophilia
DIC - severe bleeding
screening tests for fibrin clot formation
screening test for primary haemostasis?
prothrombin time
activated partial thromboplastin time
primary = platelet count
prolonged PT?
prolonged APTT?
prolonged PT = 7, 5, 10, prothrombin or fibrinogen
prolonged APTT = 8 and 9
e.g. if deficient in factor VII
APTT normal, PT prolonged
clinical approach to bleeding disorders
history - primary or secondary?
purpura, mucosal bleeding = primary
joint bleeds, muscle bleeds = secondary (haemophilia)
duration of bleeding - hereditary will be lifelong
previous surgery/dental extractions + menstrual periods!
drug history - aspirin, anticoagulants, NSAIDs
examination - purpura, mucosal bleed, retinal exam, enlarged spleen (low platelets in circulation)
naturally occuring anticoagulants?
what happens to thrombin?
antithrombin - switches off thrombin
protein C, protein S - switch off factor 5 and 8
thrombin recognises when haemostasis is achieved and binds to thrombomodulin (switches on protein C and S)
thrombophilia?
deficiency of naturally occuring anticoagulants (antithrombin, protein C, protein S)
tendency to develop DVT/PE
markers of normal tissue perfusion?
Blood pressure
consciousness
urine output
lactate
causes of shock?
hypovolaemic (severe dehydration, burns)
cardiogenic (MI!!, cardiomyopathy, valve problems, dysrhythmias)
distributive (massive vasodilation - “hot” shock, sepsis, anaphylaxis, acute liver failure, spinal cord injury)
obstructive (PE, air/fat/amniotic fluid embolism, tamponade, tension pneumothorax)
endocrine (hypothyroid, thyrotoxicosis, addisonian crisis)
there are more but whatever
hypovolaemia classification
monitoring shock patients?
Examination - pale, cold skin, prolonged cap refill
Urine output - sensitive indicator of renal perfusion
Neurological - disturbed consciousness -> cerebral hypoperfusion
Biochemical - acidosis, lactate levels
Blood pressure
Central venous pressure - rarely useful except to assess “fluid responsiveness”
Cardiac output monitoring = gold standard is thermodilution with PA catheter
management shock?
ABCDE
wide bore IV access
Tx underlying cause
target MAP shock?
fluid challenge?
when fluids dont work?
when this fails?
Target for MAP = 65-70 mmHg (normal = 70-100)
fluid challenge = 500ml over 10-20 mins, want to see increased MAP, decreased HR, increased UO
when fluids don’t work = adrenaline (^ HR, contractility), noradrenaline (vasoconstriction), vasopressin
when drugs fail = LVAD, ECMO
2 types of fluids used in shock?
Crystalloids - convenient, cheap, safe
But rapidly lost from circulation - need significantly larger volumes!!
Colloids - cheapish, reduce the volume required
Albumin most common
Can cause anaphylaxis
side effect of resuscitation?
Tx?
fluid overload - oedema, ARDS (wet lung), bowel oedema
young healthy people will just pee it out
elderly = diuretics, dialysis
what is massive haemorrhage?
massive haemorrhage protocol?
One blood volume (5L) in 24 hours OR
50% blood volume in 3 hours OR
blood loss of 150ml/minute
(obstretrics = >1000ml)
ABCDE
call blood bank and state “massive haemorrhage”
send urgent FBC, coag screen, fibrinogen, Xmatch, U+E, calcium
blood bank will issue: 4 units red cells, 4 units FFP, 1 unit platelets
what is FFP?
cryoprecipitate?
transfusion target?
FFP = replaces clotting factors
cryoprecipitate = replaces fibrinogen
aim 2RBC : 1 FFP
in trauma = 1 : 1!!
Mx PPH?
most common cause = uterine atony
uterine massage
uterotonic drugs
cryoprecipitate (fibrinogen much higher in pregnant women)
+ tranexamic acid
trauma haemorrhage Tx?
Variceal bleed?
ruptured AAA?
trauma = tranexamic acid within 3 hours!!
Variceal bleed = terlipressin, FFP very important, band ligation of varices!!
ruptured AAA = blood component support until emergency surgery (EVAR)
what should NOT be used in GI haemorrhage?
tranexamic acid!!
when to suspect DVT?
d-dimer
doppler
WELLS score
types of thrombocytopenia?
hereditary i.e. VWF deficiency (most common)
aquired:
reduced production (marrow problem) - pancytopenia
increased destruction = DIC, ITP, portal hypertension (hypersplenism)
Ax platelet functional deficits (i.e. normal number)?
hereditary
acquired = drugs (aspirin, NSAIDs), renal failure
von willebrand factor deficiency?
most common hereditary bleeding disorder (failure of platelet plug fomration but normal platelet count)
autosomal dominant
commonest cause of primary haemostatic failure?
thrombocytopenia - usually ITP or portal hypertension
clotting factor synthesis?
what is essential for function?
ALL synthsised in hepatocytes (reduced in liver failure)
factor 2, 7, 9 + 10 carboxylated by vitamin K whcih is essential for function
vitamin K absoprtion?
Ax vit K deficiency?
absortped in small bowel, requires bile salts for absorption
Ax deficiency
* poor diet
* malabsorption
* obstructive jaundice (no bile)
* Warfarin
* haemorrhagic disease of the newborn
disseminated intravascular coagulation?
S/s?
blood count will show?
coag screen?
Excessive activation of haemostatic system - primary, secondary and fibrinolysis
S/s = bruising, purpura, generalised bleeding, end organ failure
blood count = thrombocytopenia, reduced clotting factors, lots of D-dimer (FDPs)
coag screen = prolonged PT and APTT
Ax DIC?
Tx?
basically anything that leads to massive tissue damage and so excess haemostatic activity = sepsis, obstetric emergencies, malignancy, hypovolemic shock
Tx = treat underlying cause, platelets, FFP, cryoprecipitate
haemophillia?
inheritance?
Types?
severity?
Hereditary single clotting factor deficiency
X-linked
Hemophilia A (factor VIII deficiency) - 5 x more common than hemophilia B
Hemophilia B (factor IX deficiency)
3 types: mild, moderate, severe (severe is most common)
features haemophilia?
No abnormality of primary hemostasis
Depending on if hemophilia A or B, will only have deficiency of factor VIII or IX
So prothrombin time will be normal
APTT will be prolonged
clinical features of severe haemophilia?
complication?
Recurrent hemarthrosis
Recurrent soft tissue bleeds
Bruising in toddlers
Prolonged bleeding after dental extractions, surgery and invasive procedures
comp: recurrent bleeds within the joint can lead to significant joint damage (can see loss of joint space + fusion)
isolated prolonged APTT?
suspect haemophillia
categories thrombosis?
Arterial = coronary, cerebral, peripheral
Venous = deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism
arterial thrombosis Ax?
thrombus?
Tx?
Ax = atherosclerosis
platelet rich thrombus
Tx = aspirin and other antiplatelet drugs
modify risk factors for atherosclerosis - smoking, weight
venous thrombosis Ax?
thrombus?
Ax = Virchow’s triad
* stasis + endothelial damage + hypercoagulability
platelets not activated so fibrin-rich clot
Tx = anticoagulants e.g. heparin, wafarin, DOACs
risk factors VTE?
elderly
obesity
pregnancy + puerperium
HRT, COCP
previous DVT/PE
trauma, surgery
malignancy
thrombophillia
thrombophillia?
commonest thrombophillia?
Deficiency of anticoagulant defences (protein S, C, antithrombin)
commonest thombophilia = facotr V Leiden
* change in factor V protein, cannot be switched off by proten C or S
Hereditary thrombophilias?
Factor V Leiden
Prothrombin 20210 mutation
Antithrombin deficiency
Protein C deficiency
Protein S deficiency
when to suspect hereditary thrombophillia?
Tx?
Venous thrombosis <45 years old
Recurrent venous thrombosis
Unusual venous thrombosis
Family history of venous thrombosis
Family history of thrombophilia
Tx = avoid COCP
short term prophylaxis to prevent thrombotic events during period of known risk
short term anticoagulation to treat thrombotic events
long term anticoagulation if recurrent thrombotic events
acquired thrombophillia?
S/s?
features?
Dx?
Antiphosphilipid antibody syndrome
s/s = recurrent thrombosis (arterial i.e. TIAs, venous), recurrent foetal loss, mild thrombocytopenia
Dx = aCL + LA
will see prolonged APTT (confusing but just know this)
conditions associated with APS?
Tx?
Autoimmune disorders
Lymphoprilifative disorders
Viral infections
Drugs
Primary - most common
Tx = aspirin + Warfarin
(remember different in pregnancy - LMWH)
indications for anticoagulant drugs?
Examples?
Venous thrombosis
Atrial fibrillation
anticoagulants = heparin + LMWH, Warfarin, DOACs
heparin mechanism?
benefit?
2 types?
mechanisms of types?
heparin = increases antithrombin effect
benefit = immediate effect
2 forms = unfractioned + LMWH
LMWH = antithrombin-Xa reaction
unfractioned = antithrombin-thrombin reaction
herpatin complications?
reversal?
Bleeding
Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (with thrombosis) HITT - so if patient on heparin and platelet count DROPS they are actually at risk of thrombosis
Osteoporosis with long term use
Heparin - reversal
* stop herparin (short half-life)
* in emergency = protamine sulphate
mechanism of action Warfarin?
what do you have to give warfarin with initially?
why?
inhibition of vit K
warfarin must be given with herparin initially as inhibits protein C and protein S for a while
Warfarin therapy cons?
Benefits?
requires INR monitoring (every few weeks)
risk of haemorrhage
drug interactions - aspirin, antibiotics, NSAIDs, spinach, kale, cranberry juice
cant take in pregnancy
benefits = reversible with vitamin K (or in emergency = clotting factors, as vit K takes a few hours)
DOACs?
benefits?
cons?
new anticoagulants
oral Xa inhibitors = edoxaban, rivaroxiban, apixiban
direct thrombin inhibitors = dabigatran
benefits = no monitoring
cons = not reversible + cannot be used in renal disease (Warfarin can)
DOACs used for?
DVT/PE
stroke prevention in AF patients
PSIS
immunophenotyping
ESRD and erythropoetin
haemopoesis?
types?
production of RBCs, WBCs + platelets
erythropoiesis = RBC
Thrombopoesis = platelets
Lymphopoiesis = WBC
granulopoiesis/myelopoiesis = production of granulocytes
lifespan of blood cells?
therefore?
RBC = 120 days
neutrophils = 7-8 hours
platelets = 7-10 days
So if haemopoiesis switched off, would expect neutrophils to fall, then platelets then red cells
ancestry of blood cells?
RBC
Pro-normoblast → late normoblast → reticulocyte → erythrocyte
Neutrophil
Myeloblast → promyelocyte → myelocyte → metamyelocyte → band neutrophil → mature neutrophil
Platelet = megakaryocyte
where do precursors (erythroblasts, myeloblasts) come from?
haemopoetic proginitor cells, which come from haemopoetic stem cells
myelocytes?
nucleated precursor between myeloblasts and neutrophils
myeloid terminology?
haemopoetic stem cells originate from?
sites of haemopoesis?
originate in mesoderm
yolk sac is first site of haemopoeisis
week 6 = liver
week 16 = bone marrow
in adults, haemopoesis restricted to axial skeleton, pelvis, and proximal long bones
in children, haemopoesis occurs in all bones
bone marrow cellularity?
subtract age from 100
so 20 year old has 80% cellularity
where to collect bone marrow biopsy?
adults = PSIS
children = anterior tibia
red vs yellow marrow?
myeloid:erythroid ratio?
normal ratio?
when will it change?
Red (haemopietically active) vs yellow (fatty inactive) marrow: increase in yellow marrow with age results in reduction in marrow cellularity in older individuals
myeloid:erythroid ratio = proprtion of neutrophils/precursors to proportion of nucleated red cell precursors
Normal = 1.5:1 to 3.3:1
ratio reverses in haemolysis as compensation
neutrophil precursor maturation regulated by?
platelets?
erythropoeisis?
neutrophil precursor maturation regulated by G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor)
thrombopoetin regulates development of magakaryocytes
erythropoesis = erythropoetin, iron (haem), folate, globin synthesis
Ix haemopoesis?
Routinely undertaken = FBC, cell indices, morphology (blood films)
Less common (specialist) - bone marrow examination
investigations for non-lymphoid cells vs lymphoid?
For non-lymphoid = blood count/morphological assessment often sufficient
lymphoid cells = immunophenotyping
how to harvest stem cells?
G-CSF injections stimulate mobilisation of stem cells form bone marrow into blood
ancestry lymphoid cells?
lymphoid system?
Central (primary) lymphoid tissues = bone marrow + thymus
Peripheral (secondary) lymphoid tissues = lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils (waldeyer’s ring), epithelio-lymphoid tissues
lymph node anatomy?
afferent channels drain lymph into peripheral sinus where it is filtered
efferent vessel exits hilum, drains to:
cisterna chyli/thoracic duct
or left subclabian vein
into venous system :)
arterial and venous supply to nodes enter/exit via hilum
lymphoid system function?
immune function
prevents oedema
cell populations in lymph nodes?
Lymphocytes
- B cells
- Associated with follicles and germinal centres
- Interfollicular
- Plasma cells - mainly in medulla
- T cells
- T helper cells + cytotoxic
- Natural killer cells
Macrophages, antigen presenting cells, and dendritic cells
Endothelial cells
lymphadenopathy Ax?
(INDAM = infectious/inflammatory, neoplastic, drugs, autoimmune, metabolic)
Local inflammation
- Infection (some have typical features e.g. TB, toxoplasma)
- Others e.g. vaccination, dermatopathic
Systemic inflammation
- Infection e.g. viral infections
- autoimmune/CT disorders
Malignancy
- Haematological e.g. lymphoma/leukemia
- Metastatic
Others
- E.g. sarcoidosis, Castleman’s disease, IgG4 related disease
red lines extending from inflamed node?
lymphangitis
generalised lymphadenopathy suggests?
systemic infection
lymphoma/leukemia - must check FBC
autoimmune
lymph node response to autoimmune? tumour? viral infection?
spleen palpable?
surfaces?
vascular supply?
rupture?
spleen not palpable unless substantially enlarged
2 key surfaces: diaphragmatic + visceral (left kidney, gastric fundus, tail of pancreas, splenic flexure of colon)
supplied by splenic artery (branch of coelic)
- drained by splenic vein (forms portal vein alongside SMV)
rupture is a surgical emergency
structure of spleen?
function?
red pulp + white pulp
- red pulp = sinusoids + cords
- sinusoids = fenestrated
- cords = contain macrophages
- white pulp = contains CD4+ cells + PALS
functions as a filter = eliminates unwanted material, facilitates immune response to blood-borne antigens
how does spleen facilitate immune repsonse?
APCs in white pulp present antigen to immune cells
When stimulated by antigen, T and B cell responses may occur
splenomegaly symptoms?
Traid of hypersplenism?
Dragging sensation in LUQ
Discomfort with eating
Pain if infarction
Triad of hypersplenism = splenomegaly + fall in one or more cellular components of blood + correction of cytopenias by splenectomy
causes of splenomegaly?
infection = EBV, malaria, TB, typhoid, brucellosis, lesihamniasis, trypanosomiasis
congestion = portal hypertension, cirrhosis, splenic vein thrombosis, cardiac failure
haemotological diseases = lymphoma/leukemia, haemolytic anaemia, ITP, myeloproliferative disorders
inflammatory conditions = RA, SLE
storage diseases = Gaucher’s, Neimmann-Pick disease
miscellaneous = amyloid, tumours, cysts
Ax hypersplenism vs hyposplenism?
hypersplenism
- conditions associated with splenomegaly
hyposplenism
- most commonly from splenectomy (need immunopsuppression)
- other causes = coeliac disease, sickle cell, sarcoidosis, iatrogenic
features of hyposplenism?
Howell-Jolly bodies
also some immune deficiency
basophilia seen in?
polycythaemia rubra vera
chronic myeloid leukaemia
monocytosis seen in?
chronic bacterial infections
malignancy (chromic myelomonocytic leukaemia)
connective tissue disease (SLE + RA)
are monocytes raised in smoking?
No - will see mild neutrophilia tho
features of monocytes?
precursor?
large monolobular cells
same precursor as granulocytes but unlike granulocytes do not have prominent granules
functions monocytes?
phagocytosis + antigen presenting
lymphocyte origins and development?
lymphocytosis?
arise in bone marrow + develop in primary lymphoid organs (bone marrow + thymus)
lymphocytosis in response to infection or malignancy
can also be seen after removal of spleen
EBV mononucleosis characteristic appearance?
T cells blue cytoplasm wraps around neighbouring cells
(can also be seen in HIV, CMV, viral hepatitis + toxoplasma)
stable plaques can cause?
unstable plaques?
stable plaques = stable angina (coronary artery) + PVD claudication
unstable plaques = MI, stroke
risk factors arterial thrombosis?
Hypertension
Smoking
High cholesterol
Diabetes
platelets bind to?
platelet aggregation chemicals?
platelets bind to VWF (released by damaged vessel wall)
ADP, thromboxane A2
e.g. antiplatelet drugs?
Aspirin - inhibits cyclooxygenase which is necessary to produce thromboxane A2 (prevents platelet aggregation i.e. stops them sticking together)
Clopidogrel, prasugrel - ADP receptor antagonists
Dipyridamole - hosphodiesterase inhibitor, reduced production of cAMP which is “second messenger” in platelet activation
abciximab - GP II2b/IIIa inhibitor (surface proteins platelets use to bind to each other)
side effects aspirin?
Bleeding
Blocks production of prostaglandins
- GI ulceration
- Bronchospasm (contraindicated in asthma)
which drug is contraindicated in asthma?
aspirin!!!
side effects antiplatelet drugs?
Tx?
bleeding!
will affect platelets for 7-10 day lifespan so stop antiplatelets approx a week before surgery
in emergency = can reverse with platelet transfusion
A - acute leukemia
D - chronic lymphocytic leukemia
???
how are proginitor/stem cells identified?
immunophenotyping
acute leukaemia pathophys?
Blood count?
bone marrow?
Proliferation of abnormal progenitors PLUS
Lack of differentiation/maturation of RBCs, platelets, and granulocytes
high white cell count + low RBC, platelets, granulocytes
tons of abnormal cells in bone marrow
chronic myeloproliferative disorders pathophys?
e.g.?
blood count?
why?
in contrast to acute leukemia = proliferation of abnormal proginitors but no differentiation/maturation failure
e.g. chronic myeloid leukemia
so blood count = very high white cells (due to neutrophils), low RBC, low/high platelets
the platelets and red cells may be low because all the neutrophils will take up space in bone marrow - there is no problem with maturation!!!
main cell type that differentiates CML and AML?
neutrophils!!
In AML = low
in CML = high
haematological malignancy divided into?
myeloid or lymphoid
developmental stage i.e. lymphoblastic vs lymphocytic vs myeloma
anatomical site
- blood = leukemia
- lymph node = lymphoma
myeloma?
malignancy of plasma cell in marrow
differences in histology/progression of haematological malignancies?
Acute leukaemias and high grade lymphomas are more aggressive (histologically and clinically) than chronic leukaemias and low grade lymphomas
in acute leukemias + high grade lymphomas more likely to see: high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio, prominent nucleoli, rapid proliferation
what do all leukemias present with?
All Leukaemias present (more commonly than chronic leukaemia) with significant bone marrow failure
malignant haemopoesis
myeloid vs lymphoid?
myeloid malignancies tend to involve more primitive progenitor cells
lymphoid malignancies can turn malignant at various stages
acute leukemia features?
Types?
Rapidly progressive malignancy of bone marrow + blood
With maturation defects
Defined as excess of “blasts” >20% in blood or bone marrow
Loss of normal blood cell production (RBC, platelets, neutrophils, basophils + eosinophils)
Types
- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
- Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
clinical presentation?
Malignant disease of primitive lymphoid cells (lymphoblasts)
(most common childhood cancer!)
clinical presentation
- bleeding (nosebleeds), bruising, anaemia + infections (due to marrow failure)
- fever
- fatigue, weakness
- weight loss
- bone pain
commonest childhood cancer?
acute lymphoblastic leukemia
acute myeloid leukemia epidemiology?
S/s?
elderly >60 y/o
presentation same as ALL (marrow failure)
some have characteristic presentation
- DIC in acute promyelocytic leukemia
- gum infiltration
Ix acute leukemia?
Blood count (increase in WBC - reduction in Hb, neutrophils, platelets)
Blood film (will see “blasts”, large size, huge nucleus, prominent nucleolus)
Coagulation screen (d-dimers and fibrinogen for DIC)
Bone marrow aspirate (same as blood film)
Cytogenetic analysis
Auer rods?
AML!!!
how to differentiate between AML and ALL?
why is this important?
bone marrow aspirate sub-optimal?
Immunphenotyping used to differentiate between AML and ALL even if there are Auer rods in the blasts
important because treatment of AML is different from ALL
Trephine (piece of bone) - enables better assessment of cellularity and helpful when aspirate sub-optimal
so definitive diagnosis of acute leukemia?
immunophenotyping!!
(only definitive way to distinguish between AML and ALL)
Tx acute leukaemia?
ALL - can last up to 2-3 years
- chemo
AML - between 2-4 cycles of chemotherapy (5-10 days of chemo followed by 2-4 weeks recovery)
- Prolonged hospitalisation
- Often need long-term central venous access