Haem / Onc 7.5 Flashcards
Alpha chains of Hb - how many genes? which chromosome?
- 2 separate alpha-globulin genes
- chr 16
Alpha-thalassaemia: 1/2 absent chains, what blood picture?
- hypochromic, microcytic but often normal Hb
Alpha-thalassaemia: loss of 3 chains, blood picture?
- Hb H disease: hypochromic microcytic anaemia
- splenomegaly
Clinical picture if 4 absent alpha chains in thalassaemia (homozygote)
Death in utero: hydrops fetalis
Commonest cell type of cervical cancer?
Squamous 80%
adenoca 20%
Most important etiological factors causing cervical cancer?
HPV 16, 18, 33
Other RFs:
- smoking, HIV, many partners, high parity, lower socioeconomic status, cop
Mechanism of HPV causing cervical cancer?
HPV 16 produces oncogene E6 - inhibits p53
HPV 18 produces oncogene E7 - inhibits RB suppressor gene
What are the preferred opioids in pts with CKD e.g. in palliative care?
alfentanil
buprenorphine
fentanyl
Conversion from oral codeine -> oral morphine?
Divide by 10
Conversion from oral tramadol -> oral morphine?
Divide by 10
Conversion from oral morphine -> oral oxycodone?
Divide by 1.5-2
Conversion from 30mg oral morphine -> transdermal fentanyl?
12 microgram fentanyl patch
Conversion from 24mg oral morphine -> transdermal buprenorphine?
10 microgram buprenorphine patch
Conversion from oral morphine -> subcut morphine?
Divide by 2
Conversion from oral morphine -> subcut diamorphine?
Divide by 3
Conversion from oral oxycodone -> subcut diamorphine?
Divide by 1.5
What is Burkitt’s lymphoma?
What are the 2 main forms?
High-grade B cell neoplasm
- endemic African form: typically involves maxilla/mandible
- sporadic: abdominal e.g. ileo-caecal tumours are commonest, more common in pts with HIV
What gene translocation is associated with Burkitt’s lymphoma?
c-myc gene translocation, usually t(8;14)
What are the microscopy findings in Burkitt’s lymphoma?
Starry sky appearance: lymphocyte sheets intersperses with macrophages containing dead apoptotic tumour cells
Rx of Burkitt’s lymphoma?
Chemotherapy
- tends to produce a rapid response which may cause tumour lysis syndrome
What can be given before chemo for Rx of Burkitt’s lymphoma to reduce risk of tumour lysis syndrome?
How does it work?
RASBURICASE
- recombinant version of urate oxidase, an enzyme which catalyses conversion of uric acid to allantoin, which is 5-10x more soluble than uric acid so renal excretion is more effective
Complications of tumour lysis syndrome?
- hypocalcaemia
- hyperkalaemia
- hyperuricaemia
- hyperphosphataemia
- acute renal failure
(low calcium, high K, uric acid & phosphate)
What Rx may metastatic bone pain respond to?
- strong opioid analgesia
- bisphosphonates
- radiotherapy
What is beta-thalassaemia trait?
What are the features?
- autosomal recessive characterised by mild hypo chromic, microcytic anaemia, usually aSx
- microcytosis is characteristically disproportionate to the anaemia
- HbA2 raised >3.5%
HbA2 = variant of Hb A with 2 delta chains replacing 2 normal beta chains, is found in 1.5-3% of total Hb of healthy adults
What is hereditary angioedema?
autosomal dominant condition ass with low plasma levels of the C1-inhibitor protein (C1-INH)
What is the role of C1-INHibitor (low in hereditary angioedema)
- multifunctional serine protease inhibitor - probable mechanism is uncontrolled bradykinin release
Ix in hereditary angioedema?
what is most reliable and used for screening?
- low C1-INH during an attack
- low C2 & C4, even between attacks
- LOW C4
Sx of hereditary angioedema?
- attacks may be preceded by painful macular rash
- painless, non-pruritic swelling of subcut/submucosal tissues
- may affect upper airways, skin or abdo organs (can present as abdo pain due to visceral oedema)
- urticaria not usually a feature
Acute Rx of hereditary angioedema?
- IV C1-inhibitor concentrate (FFP if not available)
Prophylaxis of hereditary angioedema?
anabolic steroid DANAZOL may help
MoA of cyclophosphamide?
Adverse effects?
Akylating agent - causes cross-linking in DNA
- haemorrhagic cystitis
- myelosuppression
- transitional cell carcinoma
MoA of Bleomycin?
Adverse effects?
Degrades preformed DNA
- lung fibrosis
MoA of Doxorubicin?
Adverse effects?
Stabilises DNA-topoisomerase II complex, inhibits DNA & RNA synthesis
- cardiomyopathy
MoA of Methotrexate?
Adverse effects?
Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase & thymidylate synthesis
- mucositis
- myelosuppression
- liver fibrosis
- lung fibrosis
MoA of 5-FU fluorouracil?
Adverse effects?
Pyrimidine analogue inducing cell cycle arrest & apoptosis by blocking thymidylate synthase (works during S phase)
- myelosuppression
- mucositis
- dermatitis
MoA of 6-mercaptopurine?
Adverse effects?
Purine analogue that is activated by HGPRTase, decreasing purine synthesis
- myelosuppression
MoA of Cytarabine?
Adverse effects?
Pyrimidine antagonist, interferes with DNA synthesis specifically at the S-phase of cell cycle & inhibits DNA polymerase
- myelosuppression
- ataxia
MoA of Vincristine & Vinblastine?
Adverse effects?
Inhibits formation of microtubules
Vincristine: reverisble peripheral neuropathy, paralytic ileus
Vinblastine: myelosuppression
MoA of Docetaxel?
Adverse effects?
Prevents microtubule depolymerisation & disassembly, decreasing free tubulin
- neutropenia
MoA of Cisplatin?
Adverse effects?
Causes Cross-linking in DNA
- ototoxicity
- peripheral neuropathy
- hypomagnesaemia
MoA of Hydroxyurea/Hydroxycarbamide?
Adverse effects?
Inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, decreasing DNA synthesis
- myelosuppression
General RFs for VTE?
- increased risk with advancing age
- obesity
- pregnancy esp puerperium
- FHx VTE
- immobility
- hospitalisation
- anaesthesia
- central venous catheter: femoral»_space; subclavian
Underlying conditions which predispose to VTE?
- malignancy
- thrombophilia e.g. activated protein C resistance, protein C&S deficiency
- heart failure
- antiphospholipid syndrome
- Behcet’s syndrome
- polycythaemia
- nephrotic syndrome
- sickle cell disease
- paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
- hyperviscosity syndrome
- homocystinuria
Medication RFs for VTE?
- combined OCP 3rd gen > 2nd
- HRT: VTE risk higher in women taking oestrogen + progestogen preparations vs those taking oestrogen only preparations
- Raloxifene & Tamoxifen
- antipsychotics esp Olanzapine
Pathophysiology of VTE in pregnancy?
Hyper coagulable state, majority occur in last trimester
- increase in factors VII, VIII, X & fibrinogen, decrease in protein S
- uterus presses on IVC causing venous stasis in legs
Rx of VTE in pregnancy?
- warfarin contra-indicated
- SC LMWH preferred to IV heparin (less bleeding & thrombocytopenia)
Pulmonary causes of eosinophilia?
- asthma
- ABPA
- Churg-Strauss
- Loffler’s syndrome
- topical pulmonary eosinophilia
- eosinophilis pneumonia
- hypereosinophilic syndrome
Infective causes of VTE?
- schistosomiasis
- nematodes: Toxocara, Ascaris, Strongyloides
- cestodes: Echinococcus
Causes of eosinophilia (except for pulmonary & infective)?
- drugs: sulfasalazine, nitrofurantoin
- psoriasis/eczema
- eosinophilic leukaemia (v rare)
What is the Philadelphia chromosome translocation?
t(9;22)
>95% of pts with CML
t(9;22) translocation
- which malignancy?
- what is the result?
- CML >95%
- if present in ALL, it is a poor prognostic indicator
What does the t(9;22) translocation lead to?
- part of the Abelson porto-oncogene is moved to the BCR gene on chromosome 22
- > BCR-ABL gene codes for a fusion protein which has tyrosine kinase activity in excess of normal
PML & RAR-alpha gene fusion leads to which translocation?
t(15;17)
t(15;17) is seen in which malignancy?
APML (M3)
Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (M3) is ass with which translocation?
t(15;17)
t(8;14) translocation is ass with which malignancy?
Burkitt’s lymphoma
Which translocation leads to MYC oncogene translocating to an immunoglobulin gene?
t(8;14)
Burkitt’s
t(11;14) is ass with which malignancy?
Mantle cell lymphoma
Which translocation leads to deregulation of the cyclin D1 (BCL-1) gene?
t(11;14)
Mantle cell lymphoma
What translocation is ass with Mantle cell lymphoma?
t(11;14)
- deregulation of t he cynic D1 (BCL-1) gene
The gene encoding beta-thalassaemia major is on which chromosome?
chr 11
- absence of beta-chains
Features of beta-thalassaemia major:
- how does it present?
- what sort of anaemia?
- what happens to HbA, HbA2, HbF?
- presents in 1st yr of life with failure to thrive & hepatosplenomegaly
- microcytic anaemia
- HbA Absent
- HbA2 & HbF raised
Rx of beta-thalassaemia major?
- repeated transfusion -> Iron overload
- SC infusion of Desferrioxamine
On which chromosome are the 2 separate alpha-globulin genes located on?
each chr 16
What is Hb H?
When is it found?
= 4 beta chains
- found in severe alpha thalassaemia (loss of 3/4 chains)
What malignancy is ass with HTLV-1 infection?
adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma
What malignancy is ass with HIV-1 infection?
high grade B cell lymphoma
What malignancy is ass with H pylori infection?
gastric lymphoma (MALT)
What malignancy is ass with malaria infection?
Burkitt’s lymphoma
What is antithrombin III deficiency?
- autosomal dominant inherited cause of thrombophilia
- antithrombin III inhibits several clotting factors inc: thrombin, factor IX & X; mediating the effects of heparin
- therefore deficiency is a heterogeneous group of disorders, leading to inc in these clotting factors
Features of antithrombin III deficiency?
- recurrent venous thromboses
- arterial thromboses do occur but are uncommon
Rx of antithrombin III deficiency:
- if VTE?
- during pregnancy?
- during surgery/childbirth etc?
- VTE -> lifelong warfarin
- pregnancy -> heparinisation
- antithrombin III concentrates durign surgery, childbirth etc
- N.b. pts with antithrombin III deficiency have a degree of resistance to heparin, so anti-Xa levels should be monitored carefully to ensure adequate anticoagulation
Commonest inherited thrombophilia?
Factor V Leiden (heterozygous) 5%. VTE RR 4
(prothrombin gene mutation 1.5% RR3
protein C deficiency 0.3% RR 10
protein S deficiency 0.1% RR 5-10
antithrombin III deficiency 0.03 RR 10-20)
c-myc gene translocation is ass with which malignancy?
Burkitt’s lymphoma
What is the commonest cause of antithrombin III deficiency?
CKD (antithrombin III = particularly small protein easily lost through the nephron in CKD)
What electrolyte disturbance does cisplatin cause?
hypomagnesaemia
What is polycythaemia vera?
when does it peak?
- myeloproliferative disorder caused by clonal proliferation of a marrow stem cell -> increase in red cell volume, often accompanied by overproduction of neutrophils & platelets as well
- incidence peaks in 6th decade
Features of polycythaemia vera?
- hyperviscosity
- pruritus, typically after a hot bath
- splenomegaly
- haemorrhage (2ry to abnormal platelet function)
- plethoric appearance
- hypertension in a 1/3 of pts
What blood tests should be done when polycythaemia vera suspected?
- FBC, blood film: raised haematocrit, and neuts, basophils & platelets raised in half of pts
- serum ferritin
- U&Es, LFTs
- JAK2 mutation
(also PRV can show a low ESR and raised leukocyte ALP)
When suspecting polycythaemia vera but JAK2 mutation negative and no obvious 2ry cause, what tests should be done?
- red cell mass
- arterial oxygen saturation
- abdo ultrasound
- serum erythropoietin level
- BM aspirate & trephine
- cytogenetic analysis
- erythroid burst-forming unit (BFU-E) culture
What are the Dx criteria for polycthaemia vera (if JAK2 +ve)?
Both need to be positive:
A1: high haematocrit (>0.52 men, >0.48 women) OR raised red cell mass (>25% above predicted)
A2: JAK2 mutation
What are the Dx criteria for polycthaemia vera (if JAK2 -ve)
Dx requires A1+2+3+ 1 A or 2B criteria
A1 raised red cell mass>25% or raised haematocrit >0.6M >0.56F
A2 absence of JAK2 mutation
A3 no cause of 2ry erythrocytosis
A4 palpable splenomegaly
A5 presence of an acquired genetic abnormality (exc BCR-ABL) in the haemtopoietic cells
B1 thrombocytosis plts>450
B2 neutrophil leukocytosis of neuts>10 in non-smokers, >12.5 in smokers
B3 radiological evidence of splenomegaly
B4 endogenous erythroid colonies or low serum erythropoietin
What are the different blood transfusion complications?
- immunological: acute haemolytic, non-haemolytic febrile, allergic/anaphylaxis
- infective
- TRALI: transfusion-related acute lung injury
- fluid overload
- other: hyperkalaemia, iron overload, clotting
Why do non-haemolytic febrile reactions to blood transfusion occur?
- due to white blood cell HLA antibodies
- often the result of sensitisation by previous pregnancies or transfusions
Why do acute haemolytic transfusion reactions occur?
Rx?
complications?
- ABO mismatch -> massive intravascular haemolysis
- Sx start within minutes, inc fever, abdo pain, chest pain, agitation, hypotension
Rx inc stop transfusion, generous IV fluid resuscitation, inform the lab
Complications inc DIC & renal failure
Allergic/anaphylaxis reaction to blood transfusion
- what happens & why?
- Rx?
- hypersensitivity reactions to components within the transfusion
- Sx start within minutes and range insecurity e.g. urticaria - anaphylaxis
- urticaria - stop transfusion, give antihistamine, can restart transfusion when Sx resolve
- if severe then Rx urgently by stopping transfusion, give IM adrenaline & supportive Rx, e.g. consider antihistamine, corticosteroids & bronchodilators
What is the transmission risk of vCJD during blood transfusion?
- v small but present absolute risk
- all donations undergo leucodepletion to reduce any vCJD infectivity present
- plasma derivatives have been fractionated from imported plasma
- blood transfusion recipients cannot donate blood
What is acute intermittent porphyria?
rare autosomal dominant condition caused by a defect in PORPHOBILINOGEN DEAMINASE (enzyme involved in haem biosynthesis) -> toxic accumulation of delta aminolaevulinic acid & porphobilinogen
- classically presents with abdo & neuropsych Sx in 20-40yrs, more common in females 5:1
Features of acute intermittent porphyria?
abdo: pain & vomiting
neuro: motor neuropathy
psych: e.g. depression
cardiac: HTN & tachycardia common
Dx of acute intermittent porphyria?
- classically urine turns deep red on standing
- raised urinary porphobilinogen (between attacks, more during)
- assay of red cells for porphobilinogen deaminase
- raised serum levels of delta aminolaevulinic acid & porphobilinogen
Absorption of vitamin B12?
- binds with intrinsic factor (secreted from parietal cells)
- active absorbed in terminal ileum
- small amount passively absorbed without being bound to intrinsic factor
- mainly used in body for red blood cell development & maintenance of nervous system (myelin)
Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency?
- poor diet
- pernicious anaemia
- post-gastrectomy
- terminal ileum disorders e.g. Crohn’s, blind-loop
- metformin (rare)
Features of vitamin B12 deficiency?
- macrocytic anaemia
- sore tongue & mouth
- neuro Sx e.g. ataxia
- neuropsych Sx e.g. mood disturbances
Rx of vitamin B12 deficiency?
- 1mg IM hydroxocobalamin 3x/wk for 2 wks then 1x/3months if no neuro involvement
- is also deficient in folic acid it’s important to treat B12 first (to avoid precipitating subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord)
What is Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome?
1ry immunodeficiency due to combined B & T cell dysfunction
- X-linked recessive
- mutation in WASP gene
Features of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome?
- recurrent bacterial infections e.g. chest
- eczema
- thrombocytopenia
- low IgM levels
What leads to a raised leucocyte ALP?
- leukaemoid reactions (left-shift of immature WBCs)
- infections
- myelofibrosis
- polycythaemia vera
- steroids, Cushing’s
- pregnancy, OCP
What leads to a low leucocyte ALP?
- CML
- pernicious anaemia
- infectious mononucleosis
- paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
RFs for development of nausea & vomiting after chemo (although common)?
- age<50
- anxiety
- concurrent use of opioids
- type of chemo used
Rx for chemo-related nausea & vomiting?
Low-risk: metoclopramide
If high-risk: 5HT3 receptor antagonists e.g. ondansetron are effective, esp if combined with dexamethasone
MoA of Aprepitant
Antiemetic which blocks the neurokinin 1 receptor - a substance P antagonist
- licensed for chemo-induced nausea & vomiting & for prevention of post-op nausea & vomiting
Infective causes of generalised lymphadenopathy?
- infectious mono
- HIV inc seroconversion
- eczema with 2ry infection
- rubella
- toxoplasmosis
- CMV
- TB
- roseola infantum
Neoplastic causes of generalised lymphadenopathy?
- leukaemia, lymphoma
Non-infective/neoplastic causes of generalised lymphadenopathy?
autoimmune - SLE, RA
graft vs host disease
sarcoid
- drugs: phenytoin, also allopurinol, isoniazid
What is antiphospholipid syndrome?
Acquired disorder of predisposition to venous & arterial thromboses, recurrent fetal loss & thrombocytopenia
- can be 1ry or 2ry e.g. SLE
Complications of antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy?
- recurrent miscarriage (aPL is present in 15% of women with recurrent miscarriage)
- IUGR
- pre-eclampsia
- placental abruption
- pre-term delivery
- VTE
Rx of antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy?
- Start Aspirin 75mg when pregnancy confirmed (urine)
- Start LMWH after fetal heart on US -discontinue at 34wks
- increases live birth rate 7X
5 types of sickle cell crises?
- thrombotic, painful
- sequestration
- acute chest
- aplastic
- haemolytic
Cause of thrombotic sickle cell crisis?
- precipitated by infection, dehydration, deoxygenation
- painful/vaso-occlusive crises
- infarcts occur in various organs inc bones (e.g. AVN hip, hand-foot syndrome in children, lungs, spleen, brain)
What happens in a sequestration sickle cell crisis?
- sickling within organs e.g. spleen/lungs causes pooling of blood with worsening of anaemia
- sickling causes spleen to enlarge causing also pain
- more common in early childhood as repeated sequestration & infarction of spleen gradually leads to an auto-splenectomy
- may lead to severe anaemia, marked pallor & cardiovascular collapse due to loss of effective circulating volume
What happens in a acute chest sickle cell crisis?
- dyspnoea, chest pain, pulmonary infiltrates, low PO2
- commonest cause of death after childhood
- ‘fever +/- resp Sx, + new pulmonary infiltrates on CXR’
What happens in a aplastic sickle cell crisis?
- parvovirus infection
- sudden fall in Hb
What happens in a haemolytic sickle cell crisis?
- fall in Hb due to an increased rate of homeless (rare)
Features of SVC obstruction?
- dyspnoea (commonest Sx)
- swelling of face, neck, arms, sometimes conjunctival & periorbital oedema
- headache: often worse in mornings
- visual disturbance
- pulseless jugular venous distension
Causes of SVC obstruction?
common malignancies inc: NSCLC, lymphoma
other: metastatic seminoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, breast ca
Also: aortic aneurysm, mediastinal fibrosis, goitre, SVC thrombosis
Rx of SVC obstruction?
General: Dexamethason, balloon venoplasty, stenting
Small cell: chemo + RT
Non-small: RT
What is Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Age distribution?
Malignant proliferation of lymphocytes characterised by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cell
- Bimodal in 3rd & 7th decades
What Sx imply poor prognosis in Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
B Sx
- weight loss >10% in 6months
- fever >38C
- night sweats
Histological type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma - commonest? What cells are ass?
Nodular sclerosing 70%
- ass with lacunar cells
- good prognosis, more common in women
Histological type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma - 2nd commonest? What cells are ass?
Mixed cellularity 20%
- ass with large number of Reed-Sternberg cells
- good prognosis
Histological type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma - best prognosis?
Lymphocyte predominant 5%
Histological type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma - worst prognosis?
Lymphocyte depleted (rare)
Factors other than B Sx ass with poor prognosis in Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
age>45 stage IV disease Hb <10.5 lymphocyte <600 or <8% male albumin <40 WCC >15,000
What is idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura?
Immune-mediated reduction in platelet count with Ab against the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa or Ib complex
Ix in ITP?
what is on BM aspirate?
why should it be done before starting Rx?
Antiplatelet autoAb (usually IgG)
- megakaryocytes in the marrow
- do BM aspirate before steroids to rule out leukaemia
Rx of ITP?
- Oral Prednisolone (80% respond)
- Splenectomy if plts<30 after 3months steroids
- IV immunoglobulins
- immunosuppressive drugs e.g. cyclophosphamide
Features of a 2-level DVT Wells score?
Active cancer with Rx within 6m/palliative 1
Paralysis, paresis/recent plaster immobilisation of lower extremities 1
Recently bedridden for 3days+ or major surgery within 12wks 1
Localised tenderness along distribution of deep venous system 1
Entire leg swollen 1
Calf swelling at least 3cm >aSx side 1
Pitting oedema confined to Sx leg 1
Collateral superficial veins (non-varicose) 1
Prev doc DVT 1
Alternatuve Dx at least as likely as DVT -2
DVT likely if 2+
What to do if DVT likely i.e. 2level Wells score 2+?
- US proximal leg veeins within 4h (if negative do a D-dimer)
- do D-dimer if can’t have US legs within 4h, and give LMWH whilst waiting (which should be done within 24h)
What to do if DVT unlikely i.e. 2level Wells score <2?
- D-dimer
- if +ve then proximal leg vein US within 4h
- if can’t be done then give LMWH whilst waiting
Rx of DVT?
LMWH/Fondaparinux at Dx - continue at least 5 days or more until INR is >2 for at least 24h
- warfarin within 24h, cont at least 3months - extend if unprovoked
Rx of DVT in active cancer?
LMWH 6 months
What Ix do people who have an unprovoked DVT/PE need?
What if they are aged >40?
- Hx & full Ex
- CXR
- urinalysis
- bloods to inc FBC, LFTs, calcium
- CT abdo-pelvis
When to consider thrombophilia testing?
- consider testing for antiphospholipid Abs if unprovoked DVT/PE?
- consider testing hereditary thrombophilia if someone has an unprovoked DVT/PE, and they have a 1st degree relative who has had a DVT/PE
What are the different types of tumour markers?
- mAbs against carbohydrate/glycoprotein tumour Ags
- tumour Ags
- enzymes e.g. ALP, neurone specific enolase
- hormones e.g. calcitonin, ADH
What malignancies are AFP ass with?
hepaticellular carcinoma
teratoma
What malignancies are S-100 ass with?
melanoma
schwannomas
What malignancies are bombesin ass with?
SCLC
gastric ca
neuroblastoma
What is multiple myeloma?
Neoplasm of bone marrow plasma cells
peak incidence age 60-70
Clinical features of myeloma?
- bone disease: bone pain, osteoporosis + path fractures (typically vertebral), osteolytic lesions
- lethargy
- infection
- hypercalcaemia
- renal failure
- others: amyloid e.g. macroglossia, carpal tunnel, neuropathy, hyperviscosity, high total protein
Ix for myeloma:
- what is in serum & urine?
- what is in bone marrow?
- what is done to look at bone?
- what may be seen on X-ray?
- monoclonal proteins IgG/IgA, Bence-Jones in urine
- increased plasma cells in bone marrow
- historically a skeletal survey, but now whole-body MRI
- Xray: ‘rain-drop skull’ (pepper pot is different)
What are the Dx criteria for multiple myeloma?
- requires 1 major + 1m
- or 3minor
in someone with signs/Sx
Major:
- plasmacytoma (Bx)
- 30% plasma cells in BM
- elevated M protein levels in blood/urine
Minor:
- 10-30% plasma cells in a BM sample
- minor elevations in M protein in blood/urine
- osteolytic lesions (on imaging)
- low levels of Abs (not produced by cancer cells) in blood
What is the 1ry factor that leads to hypercalcaemia in myeloma?
what are other much less contributing factors?
Increased osteoclastic bone resorption caused by local cytokines released by myeloma cells e.g. IL-1, TNF
Others inc: impaired renal function, increased renal tubular Ca reabsorption, elevated PTH-rP levels
Palliative care prescribing: agitation & confusion
- 1st line drug?
- other options?
- palliative end-stage?
Haloperidol
others: chlorpromazine, levomepromazine
Palliative: midazolam
Genetics of haemophilia?
X-linked recessive disorder of coagulation
- upto 30% have no FHx
- A is deficiency of factor VIII
- B is lack of factor IX
Features of haemophilia?
- haemoarthroses, haematomas
- prolonged bleeding after surgery/trauma
Blood tests in haemophilia?
Prolonged APTT (normal bleeding, thrombin & PT time)
What is the commonest tumour of the anterior mediastinum?
Thymomas
- usually detected between 6th & 7th decades
Associations of thymomas?
What are the causes of death?
- myasthenia gravis 30-40%
- red cell aplasia
- dermatomyositis
- also: SLE, SIADH
- airway compression, cardiac tamponade
What is ITP: immune thrombocytopenia?
Immune-mediated reduction in platelet count
- Abs directed against the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa or Ib-V-IX complex
Acute ITP:
who is it more commonly seen in?
when may it occur?
course?
Children, M=F
May follow infection/vaccination
- usually self limiting course over 1-2wks
Chronic ITP:
who is it more commonly seen in?
course?
- young/middle-aged women
- relapsing-remitting course