Haematological Malignancy Flashcards
What cells are involved in myeloid malignancies?
Red blood cells
Platelets
Granulocytes
Monocytes
What cells are involved in lymphoid malignancies?
B cells
T cells
What are the major groups of haematological malignancies?
Acute leukaemias Chronic leukaemias Malignant lymphomas Multiple myeloma Myelodysplastic syndromes Chronic myeloproliferative diseases
What are the main characteristics of acute leukaemias?
Leukaemic cells do not differentiate
Bone marrow failure
Rapidly fatal if untreated
Potentially curable
What are the main characteristics of chronic leukaemias?
Leukaemic cells retain ability to differentiate
Proliferation without bone marrow failure
Survival for a few years
Not presently curable without BMT
What are the clinical features of acute leukaemia?
Bone marrow failure
Anaemia
Thrombocytopenic bleeding (Purpura and mucosal membrane bleeding)
Infection because of neutropenia (predominantly bacterial and fungal)
What is the general presentation of a lymphoma?
Nodal disease (lymphadenopathy) Extranodal disease Fever Drenching sweats Weight loss Pruritis Fatigue
What is the diagnosis if a lymphadenopathy is localised and painful?
Bacterial infection in draining site
What is the diagnosis if a lymphadenopathy is localised and painless?
Rare infections, catch scratch fever, TB
Metastatic carcinoma from draining site- hard
Lymphoma-rubbery
Reactive, no cause identified
What is the diagnosis if a lymphadenopathy is generalised and painful/tender?
Viral infections, EBV, CMV, hepatitis, HIV
What is the diagnosis if a lymphadenopathy is generalised and painless?
Lymphoma Leukaemia Connective tissue diseases, sarcoidosis Reactive, no cause identified Drugs
What are the clinical features of multiple myeloma?
Bone pain and lytic lesions Anaemia Recurrent infections Renal failure Amyloidosis Bleeding tendency Hyperviscosity syndrome
