Haematological malignancies Flashcards
How do we classify haematological malignancy?
- Myeloid
- Acute
- AML
- Chronic (Myeloproliferative)
- CML
- Myelofibrosis
- Polycythemia Vera
- Essential thrombocytosis
- Acute
- Lyphoid
- ALL
- CCL
- Lymphoma
- Myeloma
What is the difference between acute myeloid leukaemia and chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Acute myeloid leukaemia affects more immature cells.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia affects more mature cells.
Clinical features of haematological malignancy
- Bone marrow failure
- Anaemia
- Fatigue
- Pallor
- Thrombocytopaenia
- Bleeding: bruising and epistaxis
- Dysfunctional white cells
- Recurrent infections
- Constitutional symptoms
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Infiltration
- Hepatosplenomegaly
- Lymphadenopathy
- Gum hyperplasia (AML)
General investigations for haematological malignancy
- Bedside
- Full set of observations Bloods
- Bloods
- FBC
- Blood film
- Clotting screen
- Imaging
- CT imaging
- Special tests
- Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy
- Lymph node biopsy
- Immunophenotype
- Genetic testing
Definition of acute myeloid leukaemia
Proliferation of immature myeloid cells
Epidemiology of acute myeloid leakaemia
Most common acute leukaemia in adults
Risk factors for acute myeloid leukaemia
- Age: average age of diagnosis is 68 years old
- Myelodysplasia: precursor lesion and evolves to AML in 30% of cases
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
Which subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia is associated with t(15;17)?
Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (M3)
Which subtype of AML is most commonly associated with gum infiltration?
Acute monocytic leukaemia (M5)
Which subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia is associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation?
Acute promyelocytic leukaemia
How do you differentiate myelodysplasia (precursor lesion to AML) from AML?
In myelodysplasia blast cells are <20% on bone marrow
Investigations in acute myeloid leukaemia
-
FBC: leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, anaemia
- Blast cells crowd out bone marrow causing low PLTs and Hb
- Blood film: immature myeloid cells with auer rods
- Clotting screen: deranged in disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Bone marrow biopsy: ≥20% myeloblasts is diagnostic
- Cytogenetic studies: t(15;17)
Management of acute myeloid leukaemia
- Induction
- APML: all-trans retinoic acid
- Consolidation
Which translocation is associated with chronic myeloid leukaemia?
t(9;22)
Investigations for chronic myeloid leukaemia
-
FBC: leucocytosis, thrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia, anaemia
- Raised granulocyte count
- Blood film: increased number of mature granulocytes (<10% blast cells)
-
Bone marrow biopsy: increased number of mature granulocytes
- Myeloblasts not prevalent
- Cytogenic studies:Philidelphia chromosome t(9;22)