Haem cancers Flashcards
Define myeloma
Malignant proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Increased Ig secretion and lytic bone lesions
Pathology of myeloma
- Increased osteoclast activity (next to myeloma cells) - lytic bone lesions and hypercalcaemia
- Ig secretion - renal problems and hyperviscosity
Clinical features of myeloma
CRAB
- Calcium (hypercalcaemia) - stones, groans, bones and psychic groans, thirst constipation, nausea
- Renal impairment - oedema, decreased UO, dehydration
- Anaemia + neutropaenia + thrombocytopaenia - recurrent bacterial infection
- Bone disease - osteolytic bone lesions (backache, fractures), pepperpot skull, OP
Investigations for myeloma
- Bloods - reduced Hb, WCC, increased Ca, U&E, ESR
- Xray (first line) - pepperpot skull, vertebral collapse, lytic punched out lesions
- Serum protein electrophoresis - Ig monoclonal band
- Serum urine electrophoresis - Bence-Jones’ protein
- Bone marrow biopsy - increased plasma cells
- Blood film - rouleaux stacks
Management of myeloma
- Chemo
- CTD (8 cycles) - cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, dexamethasone
- VAD (6 cycles) - velcade, adriamycine, dexamethasone
Management of myeloma complications
- Hypercalcaemia - IV fluids
- AKI - fluids/dialysis
- Hyperviscosity - plasmapheresis
- Spinal cord compression - MRI, dexamethasone
Supportive treatment of myeloma
- Anaemia - transfusion
- Bone pain - analgesia + bisphosphonates
- Infections - Abx, regular Ig infusions
Define Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Malignant proliferation of mature lymphocytes in the lymphatic system. Reed-Stenberg cells.
Epidemiology of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Peaks in young adults and the elderly
Causes of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Primary + secondary immunodeficiency
- Autoimmune
- Infection - EBV
- Obesity, FHx
Staging (Ann Harbour) of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Single node or site
- > 2 nodes on the same side of diaphragm
- > 2 nodes on both sides of diaphragm
- Disseminated/diffuse
‘A’ symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Enlarged, painless, non-tender rubbery lymph nodes. Worsen with alcohol (can become painful)
B symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Lethargy/malaise
B symptoms have worse prognosis
Management of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- 1-2a = brief chemo/radiotherapy
- 2b-4 = longer cycles of chemo
- BMT for relapse
Signs of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Anaemia
- Hepatosplenomegaly
- Lymphadenopathy
Investigations of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Lymph node biopsy - Reed-Stenberg cells
- FBC
- CT chest, abdo, pelvis for staging
Define non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
Any lymphoma that isn’t hodgkin’s lymphoma
Epidemiology of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
> 40y
Types of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Low grade : follicular
- High grade : diffuse large cell B lymphoma
- Very high grade : Burkitt’s lymphoma
Pathology of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
70% B cell. Clonal expansion of lymphocytes