Haematology Flashcards
What is Myeloma?
Malignant disease of bone-marrow plasma cells
What happens pathophysiologically in Myeloma?
Clonal Expansion of abnormal proliferating plasma cells lead to a monoclonal paraprotein. This produces paraproteinaemia
What may be found in the urine of a patient with Myeloma?
Bence-Jones Protein - Excretion of light chains in the urine
What are some clinical features of Myeloma?
Bone Destruction
Bone Marrow infiltration
Kidney Injury
Recurrent infections
What causes Bone Destruction in Myeloma?
Increased osteoclastic activity in the absence of osteoblast activity
What can bone marrow infiltration in Myeloma lead to?
Anaemia
Neutropenia
Thrombocytopenia
What causes Kidney Injury in Myeloma?
Light chain deposition in the renal tubules
Hypercalcaemia
Hyperuricaemia
NSAID use
Why does Myeloma lead to recurrent infections?
Reduced levels of usual immunoglobulins
What are some symptoms of Myeloma?
Bone pain - Often backache due to vertebral involvement
Symptoms of Anaemia
Recurrent infections
Symptoms of Renal Failure
Symptoms of Hypercalcaemia
Symptoms of Hyperviscosity secondary to Thrombocytopenia
Which blood investigations are appropriate for suspected Myeloma?
FBC - Hb, WCC and Platelets either normal or low
ESR - Elevated
U+E - Kidney Injury
Serum Ca - Raised
What may a blood film demonstrate in Myeloma?
Aggregates of Red Blood Cells - Rouleaux
What will serum protein electrophoresis demonstrate in Myeloma?
Monoclonal Paraprotein Band with Immune Phoresis
Which Radiological investigation is appropriate in suspected Myeloma?
Skeletal Survey
CT/MRI
How is the diagnosis of Myeloma confirmed?
One of either:
Significant Paraproteinaemia
Increased Bone Marrow Plasma Cells on biopsy
What are some general supportive measures to manage Myeloma?
Correct Anaemia with Transfusion +/- EPO
Prompt Abx for infections
Bone Pain - Radiotherapy +/- Chemotherapy
Orthopaedic intervention for at-risk bones
Which specific therapies can be used in Myeloma?
Thalidomide
Cyclophosphamide
What is Acute Leukaemia?
Uncontrolled proliferation of partially developed WBCs in the blood over a short period of time
What causes Acute Leukaemia?
Mutation of precursor blood cells within the bone marrow
Which types of Acute Leukaemia are there?
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
What is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)?
Mutations within bone marrow give excessive proliferation of T-Lymphoblasts and B-Lymphoblasts (precursors of T-Lymphocytes and B-Lymphocytes)
What is the primary cause of ALL?
Chromosomal Translocations
Which Chromosomal Translocations are associated with development of ALL?
t(12:21)
t(9-22) - Philadelphia Translocation
What are some symptoms of ALL?
Bone Marrow Failure - Anaemia, Neutropenia, Thrombocytopenia
Bone Pain - Secondary to marrow infiltration
Splenomegaly
Hepatomegaly
Fever
What are some subtypes of ALL?
Pre-B Cell ALL
Pre-T Cell ALL - Thymus/Mediastinal mass, mainly teenagers
Mature B-Cell ALL
What are some appropriate investigations for suspected ALL?
CXR - ?Mediastinal Mass Bloods - Raised WCC, Lymphocytes Bone Marrow Biopsy Cytogenetic Testing Lymph Node Biopsy CT Scan LP - ?CNS Involvement
How may ALL be treated?
Chemotherapy - Mainstay treatment Steroids Radiotherapy Growth Factors Stem cell transplant
What are the stages of ALL treatment?
Phase 1 - Remission Induction
Phase 2 - Consolidation/Intensification Therapy
Phase 3 - Maintenance Therapy
What is Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)?
Leukaemia that arises out of malignant transformation of a myeloid precursor
In which age group is AML commonly found?
Older, incidence increases with age
How is AML classified?
Using the French-American-British (FAB) Classification which is based on the appearance of Leukaemic cells on Bone Marrow Aspirate
What are some symptoms of AML?
Asymptomatic
Bone Marrow Infiltration - Anaemia, Neutropenia, Thrombocytopenia
Infection
haemorrhage
Which chromosomal translocation is associated with development of AML?
t(15;17)
What are some appropriate investigations for suspected AML?
Bloods - Raised WCC, Anaemia Bone marrow aspirate and trephine Cytochemistry Immunophenotyping Cytogenetics Molecular Biology
What are some general supportive treatment measures for AML?
Correct Anaemia
Prompt IV Abx for infections
Which chemotherapeutic agents are commonly used in AML?
Cytarabine
Idarubicin
When does Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) commonly occur?
Later in life