Haematology Flashcards
What is leukoerythoblastic anaemia
Presence of nucleated red blood cells and myeloid precursors in the blood
What see on blood film of leukoerythoblastic
Tear drop cells
Nucleated RBC
Myelocyte
What could cause leukoerythoblastic
Malignant
- non haemaoptoetic
- leukaemia, myeloma, lymphoma
Myelofibrosis
Severe infection
- miliary TB
- severe fungal infection
How are haemolytic anaemias classified
Acquired
Inherited
Blood finding of haemolytic anaemia
Anaemia- raised MCV
Reticulocytosis
Bilirubinaemia
LDH up
Haptoglobin
How to tell if haemolytic anaemia is immune
Spherocytes
DAT+ve
Causes of immune haemolytic anaemia
SLE
Cancer- CLL, lymphoma
Mycoplasma
Adenocarcinoma
Causes of non-immune haemolytic anaemia
Malaria
MAHA
What is often underlying condition in MAHA
Adenocarcinoma
HUS
DIC
TTP
Pre-eclampsia
Blood film of MAHA
RBC fragments- schistocytes
Thrombocytopenia
What happens in MAHA
Mechanical RBC destruction for example through fibrin/plt mesh or metallic heart valve
Differing between reactive and malignant neutrophilia
Reactive- toxic granulation and no immature cells
Malignant- basophilia and myelocytes in CML
When do you get reactive eosinophilia
Parasitic infection
Allergic disease
Neoplasms which release eosiniphilic growth factor
Drug reactions in particular erythema multiforme
What causes raised lymphocyte count
EBV,CMV, toxolplasma, rubella, herpes
Hepatitis
Autoimmune
Sarcoid
How to determine whether reactive or malignant in B cells
Look at light chains- ratio of kappa and lambda
If reactive will be equal (60:40)
If malignant will be 1 predominating (99:1)
Blood findings of iron deficiency anaemia
Microcytic hypochromic anaemia
Low ferritin, transferrin saturation
Increased TIBC
What are spherocytes
RBC without central pallor
Are spherical and smaller
Neutropenia and myeloblasts
AML
What causes chronic eosinophilic leukaemia
FIP1L1-PDGFRa fusion gene
What causes a monocytosis
TB, brucella, typhoid
Viral- CMV, varicella
Sarcoidosis
Chronic myelomoncytic leukaemia
Lymphopenia causes
HIV
Auto-immune disorders
Inherited immune deficiencies
Chemo
What is thrombophlebitic syndrome and when does it occur
Is a complication of thromboembolism
- recurrent pain
- swelling
- ulcers
Inherited causes of VTE
Antithrombin deficiency
Protein S deficiency
Protein C deficiency
Factor V leiden
How does injury to vessel wall make it prothrombotic
Anticoagulant molecules like thrombomodulin down regulated
Prostacyclin production reduced
Vwb factor release
What can causes vessel wall prothrombotic
COVID19
Malignancy
Vasculitis
Trauma
How does stasis promote thrombosis
Accumulation of activated factors
Promotes platelet adhesion
Hypoxia produces inflammatory effects on endothelium
- adhesion and release of VWF
What are the anticoagulant drugs and how are classified
Immediate
- heparins
- direct anti Xa and anti IIa
Delayed
- vit K antagonists
What are 3 options of heparins, their method of administration and if need monitoring
Unfractionated heparin IV and needs monitoring
LMWH subcut no monitoring
Pentasaccharide subcut no monitoring
Long term disadvantages of heparins
Osteoporosis and injections
MOA of heparins
Potentiate antithrombin III which inactivates thrombin and factors 9,10,11
What are the DOACS
Anti-Xa
- rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban
Anti- IIa
- dabigatran
Monitoring needed for DOACS
None
Difference in peaks of anticoagulants
DOAC and heparin 4 hours
Vitamin K a delayed
MOA of warfarin
Indirectly prevents the recyclin of Vit K which reduces levels of 2,7,9 and 10
How is warfarin given
Oral
Antidote for heparin
Protamine sulphate
Antidote for DOACs
In dabigatran is an antibody none for Xa
How is unfractionated heparin monitored
APTT
(anti-Xa or heparin levels in some trusts)
What is given as thromboprophylaxis
Tinzaparin 4500u
Enoxaparin 40mg
What is given as thromboprophylaxis if upcoming surgery or heparin CI
TED stockings
What is given sometimes to post op ortho patients
DOAC and aspirin
Differnece in length of DOAC given after VTE
Surgical precipitant
- no need for long term
Idiopathic with no identified risk
- long term
Minor precipitant like trauma or flights
- 3 months
Risk factors for myeloma
Age
Obesity
Black
What is MGUS and how diagnosed
Precursor to myeloma where are free light chains in blood or urine
- serum m protein less than 30g/L
- bone marrow clonal plasma cells less than 10%
- no evidence of organ damage/lesions
Risks of MGUS
Increased risk of osteoporosis, thrombosis, bacterial infection
Myeloma transformation if IgG or IgG
Waldenstroms lymphoma if IgM
How is MGUS risk stratified
MAYO
Difference between smouldering myeloma and MGUS
Smouldering myeloma
- M spike over 30g/L or urinary monoclonal protein over 500 mg or bone marrow clonal plasma cells over 10%
- BUT no CRAB criteria or amyloidosis
Typical primary genetic events leading to myeloma
Hyperdiploidy
Presentation of myeloma
CRAB
Calcium- hypercalcaemia sx
Renal failure- amyloidosis and nephrotic syndrome
Anaemia- pancytopenia
Bones- pain, osteoporosis, lytic lesions, fractures
Diagnostic criteria for myeloma
Over 10% plasma cells in bone marrow or plasmacytoma plus atleast 1 CRAB or MDE
CRAB
- calcaemia over 2.75
- creatine over 177 or eGFR under 40
- Hb under 100 or drop by 20
- one or more bone lytic lesion
MDE
- bone marrow plasma cells over 60%
- FLC ration over 100
- over 1 focal lesion
Imaging for myeloma bone disease
Never use X rays
Whole body CT scan
PET
MRI
Main surgical emergencys in myeloma
Chord compression and hypercalcaemia
How to manage cord compression
MRI scan
- dexamethasone
- radiotherapy
- rarely require neurosurgery
How can myeloma cause renal damage
High serum free light chains
Dehydration
Treatment drugs are nephrotoxic
Diagnostic work up for myeloma
Serum protein electrophoresis
Serum free light chains
24 hour urine collection for bence jones protein
Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy
- stain for CD138
What is stained for in myeloma
CD138
How is myeloma staged
Internaltional staging system/salmon durie
Most common presentation of myeloma amyloid
Nephrotic syndrome
What is monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance
At least 1 renal lesion causesd by free light chains
Does not meet haematological criteria for myeloma diagnosis
How is MGRS treated
In same way as myeloma
Problem of bortezomib
Neuropathy
Problems of carfilzomab
Thrombocytopenia and IV infusion
Polycythaemia in neonate/fetus causes
Twin to twin transfusion
Intrauterine hypoxia
Placental insufficiency
Anaemia causes in fetus/neonates
Twin to twin transfusion
Fetal-maternal-transfusion
Parvovirus B19
Haemorrhage
Dammage from irradiation, anticoagulant drugs, antibodies
When can some of the first mutations leading to leukaemia often occur
In utero
If twins can even pass from one twin to another
What is significant risk factor for congenital leukaemia (transient abnormal myelopoiesis)
Down syndrome
Features of congenital leukaemia
Myeloid with huge involvement of megakaryocyte lineage
Difference between thalassaemia and haemoglobinopathy
Thalassaemia- reduced synthesis of globin chains
Haemoglobinopathies- synthesis of abnormal globin chains
What are 3 types of haemoglobin and what globin chains make up them
A- alpha and beta
A2- alpha and delta
F- alpha and gamma
Haemoglobin proportions through life
When foetus principally F and a bit of A
As grow is A with a bit of A2
Triggers for sickling episodes
Hypoxia
Dehydration
Acidosis
Where does vascular obstruction occur in sickle cell disease
After elongation to pass from capillary bed to venule
Mutation in SCD
Point mutation of glutamate replaced by valine codon 6 of beta chain coding for beta globin chain on Chr 11
1 in sickle cell trait
2 in sickle cell anaemia
What are 4 types of sickle cell disease
Remember sickle cell disease is an umbrella term
- sickle cell anaemia HbSS
- sickle cell trait HbAS
- sickle-haemoglobin C disease HbSC
- sickle beta thalassaemia HbS/beta
What happens in sickle-haemoglobin C disease
Inherit one HbS and one HbC which is a defective beta chain of a different source to sickle cell disease
Presentation of sicke cell beta thalassaemia present
Very severely- is similar to HbSS
How are haemoglobinopathies and thalassaemias normally discovered
Guthrie blood spot
How does SCD problems differ between the ages
In younger people- hand foot syndrome very common
Splenic sequestration occurs in young as still have functioning spleen
Then in older people when spleen is fibrosed get hyposplenism which leads to increased infection risk
Infants immune system has not developed immunity to parvovirus or pneumococcus which can be deadly as susceptible to red cell aplasia
Children are growing which has immense demand for folic acid
- growth spurts require folic acid
- red cell lifespan a lot less
- hyperplastic erythopoiesis requires folic acid
What is splenic sequestration and how can present
When blood pools in the spleen
Severe anaemia, shock and possible death
Complications of iron overload
HF
Gonadal failure
Problems of anaemias from haemoglobinopathies and thalassaemias in children
Lead to growth retardation
HF
Treatment for iron overload
Chelation therapy
- desfrioxamine
- deferipone
Classifications of haemolytic anaemias in children
Red cell membrane
- hereditary spherocytosis
- hereditary elliptocytosis
Haemoglobin defects
- sickle cell anaemia
Glycolytic pathway
- PK deficine
Pentose shunt defects
- G6PD
What is most common acute leukaemia in children under 1
AML
How does VWB present
Mucosal bleeding
Bruises
Post traumatic bleeding
What is transient abnormal melopoiesis
AML resembling diseases which presents in neonates at birth or just later
Very megakaryoblastic
Differences between congenital leukaemia and tranisent abnormal myelopoeisis
Congenital- symptoms at birth, cell markers, high blasts
TAM- everything normal
What is translocation in acute promyelocytic leukaemia
t(15;17)
PML-RARA
How does acute promyelocytic leukaemia often present
Bleeding and DIC
Which chromosome duplications can lead to AML
8
21
Common translocations associated with AML
15;17
5;8
8;21
16;16
Chromosomal loss or deletion associated with AML
Deletions loss of 5/5q and 7/7q
What are the principles of leukaemogenesis in aml
At least 2 interacting molecular defects
Type 1- promote proliferation and survival of cells
Type 2- block differentiation
What chromosome inversion can lead to AML
16
Cytology of AML versus ALL
Both have elevated WCC blasts
AML- auer rods and granules
ALL- the blasts have blebs of cytoplasm
What is main accepted aetiology for AML
Unknown
How to tell difference between AML and ALL
Immunophenotyoping
What method is used for immunophenotyping in acute leukaemia
Flow cytometry
ALL versus AML flow cytometry
Common to all- CD34 as on precursor cells
ALL
- T lymphocytes CD3, CD4, CD8
- B-lymphocytes CD19, CD23
AML
- CD13, CD33 and MPO
What is AML which presents with hypokalaemia, gum and skin infiltration
Monocytic
Which AML often presents with CNS disease
Acute monocytic leukaemia
If suspect acute leukaemia what investigations do in order
Blood film to look for auer rods/granules
Immunophenotyping to look for specific markers
If no leukaemic cells in blood do a bone marrow aspirate
Main clue differentiating acute leukaemia in history
Lymphadenopathy very common in ALL but not AML
Supportive care for AML
Red cells
Platelets
FFP if DIC
Abx
What is used to treat DIC
FFP/cryoprecipitate
Chemo regime for AML
- induction of remission and maintenance
Induction of remission
- danorubicin
- cytarabine
Consolidation
- cytarabine
Management of AML and ALL if poor prognosis/high risk of relapse
Allo-SCT
Management of APML
All-trans-retinoic-acid (ATRA) and A2O3
What can be given for CD33 AML
Gemtuzumab- CD33 immunotherapy
What is given in Ph postive leukaemias
Imatinib
What are the differences on examination of T-ALL vs B-ALL
Thymic enlargement in ALL
Which genetic abnormalities are associated with good and bad prognosis in ALL
Good- hyperdiploidy
Bad- Ph chromosome (BCR-ABL)
What are the 2 specialised treatments for ALL
Ph-chr- imatinib
CD20- rituximab
Why are allopurinol and electrolytes given in acute leukaemia
Prevent TLS
What is TdT
Marker of immature lymphocytes
When are spherocytes seen
HS
Haemolytic anaemia
What is MCV in B12
Extremely high
Why do you get pancytopenia in B12 deficiency
Needed for DNA synthesis
-RBC the most rapid turnover so thats why anaemia most marked symptom
Plt and neut maturation still need B12 just not as quickly
What is most common cause of renal failure in myeloma
Cast nephropathy
What are myelodysplastic syndromes
Group of heterogenous haematopoeitic stem cell disorders which results in aberrant cells produced from myeloid lineage
Seen in elderly
What are ringed sideroblasts seen in
Myelodysplastic syndromes
What are micromegakaryocytes and platelts with hypolobated nuclei seen in
Myelodysplastic syndromes
What is pegler huet anomaly seen in
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Morophological anormalities associated with myelodysplastic syndromes
RBC- ringed sideroblasts where get nucleated blast surrounded by iron granule ring
Neutrophil- pelger huet anomaly where bilobed neutrophil
Platelet- micromegakaryotype and hypolobated nuclei
Difference between acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes
AML over 20% blasts
Prognosis of myelodysplastic syndromes
1/3 die from infection
1/3 die from bleeding
1/3 die from acute leukaemia
Treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes
Supportive – transfusions, EPO, G-CSF, ABx
• Biological modifiers – immunosuppressive drugs, lenalidomide, azacytidine
• Chemotherapy – similar to AML
• Allogeneic SCT
What is aplastic anaemia
Where bone marrow fails to produce the required number of red cells but can be pancytopenic
What is bone marrow described as in aplastic anaemia
Hypocellular
Difference between myelodysplastic syndromes and aplastic anaemia
Both have pancytopenia
In MDS there is disorder of differentiation so BM is full of blasts- hypercellular
In AA failure to produce so BM is hypocellular
Causes of aplastic anaemia
Primary
- inherited
- idiopathic
Secondary
- radiation
- infections- hepatitis, P19
- SLE
- drug (mainly chemo)
Treatment of idiopathic aplastic anaemia
Supportive- abx, transfusions and chelation if needed
If young then aim for stem cell transplant with sibling if not explore other treatment non-family
If old or donor not found then use immunosuppression
Immunosuppressive agents- ciclosporin, anti-lympocyte globulin, eltrobopag
What immunosuppressive agents are used for idiopathic aplastic anaemia
Anti-lymphocyte globulin
Ciclopsorin
Second line- eltrombopag
What are 2 inherited causes of aplastic anaemia need to know
Fanconi anaemia- most common
Dyskeratosis congeinta
Genetic basis of fanconi anaemia versus dyskeratosis congenita
FA- multiple genes involved
DC- abnormal and short telomeres
Inheritance- FA is AR, DC is x linked
When does fanconi anaemia present
5-10 years old
Complications of fanconi anaemia
Risk of congenital and somatic abnormalities
- short stature
- cafe au lait spots
- microcephaly
- developmental delay
- abnormality of thumbs
- hypogonadism
Cancer risk
- AML and MDS
Childhood aplastic anaemia with strange thumbs, short, delayed and pigmented spots
Fanconi anaemia
Triad for dyskeratosis congenita
Skin pigmentation
Nail dystrophy
Leukoplakia which are white areas in the mouth
Pancytopenia, skin pigmentation, nail issues and white patches in mouth
Dyskeratosis congenita
(nail dystrophy and leukoplakia)
What happens to platelets in malaria
Can drop acutely
What are hypersegmented neutrophils seen in
Megaloblastic anaemia- where BM produces large cells due to B12 deficiency
What is paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria
Get anaemia from RBC lost in urine during an infection- measles, syphyllis, VZV
Haematuria versus haemoglobinuria how to tell
Centrifuge and if haematuria, RBC will sit at bottom
How is APML diagnosis confirmed
Cytogenetic analysis
Blood findings of MDS
Typically- macrocytic anaemia
Can get pancytopenia
What are metamyelocytes seen in
Megaloblastic anaemia
What is difference between megaloblastic macrocytic anaemia and non-megaloblastic
Megaloblastic is impaired DNA synthesis from folate or B12 deficiency
Non-megaloblastic is from liver disease and hypothyroidism where just slow at producing cells
What is rouleaux formation and what seen in
RBC stacked on one another
Myeloma
Chronic inflammation
What does facial plethora suggest
Is red swelling and puffiness
Polycythaemia vera
Which tumour produces IgM antibodies
Waldenstroms lymphoplacytic lymphoma
What are parts to antibody and how relate to myeloma
Common portion (Fc) (base) made up of heavy chains
Variable portion (Fab) made of kappa or lamda light chains
Myeloma get production of IgA or IgG
Most important drug in myeloma kidney disease treatment
Bortezomib
Management of myeloma
Depends if transplant eligible (under 65 or not)
Eligible
- anti-CD38 (daratumumab)
- proteasome inhibitors ( bortezomib)
- immunomodulatory drugs (lenalidomide)
Then ASCT
Non-eligible
- daratumumab
- lenalidomide
- dexamethasone
What is a lymphoma
A malignant tumour of lymphoid cells found in either the LN, BM, spleen or tissue specific lymphoid tissue
What factors involved in our immune system make it a common site for malignancy
Constant cutting and recombining TCR and Ig leads to potential for errors and point mutations
Rapid cell proliferation in response to infection increases chance of mutation
Process dependant upon apoptosis which provides opportunity for apoptosis mutations
What are the risk factor categories for non-hodgkins lymphoma
- constant antigenic stimulation from bacterial infection or chronic AI conditions
- viral infection
- EBV infection when loss of t cell function
What lymphoma is associated with sjogrens
Marginal zone lymphoma of parotid gland
What lymphoma is associated with hashimotos
Marginal zone lymphoma of the thyroid