haematology Flashcards
features of myeloma
OLD age
Ca elevated
Renal failure
Anaemia (+neuropenia + thrombocytopenia)
Bone lytic lesions
Usually afro-caribbean, 70 yrs, M
what is myeloma
a haematological cancer characterised by proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow
Plasma cells produe excess of 1 type of immunoglobulin (IgG) + levels of others are low
myeloma ix
serum protein electrophoreses = monoclonal protein bands (excess of M protein)
-> GS
Bence-Jones protein in urine
Blood film = Rouleaux formations
X-ray = lytic lesions (pepper-pot skull), osteoporosis, fractures
Bone marrow biopsy = excess plasma cells
what is immune thrombocytopenic purpura
a condition where antibodies are created against platelets. An immune response against platelets leads to their destruction and a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
Usually IgG antiplatelet autoantibodies
presentation immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Usually an isolated thrombocytopenia found as an incidental finding or w features of pupura/other minor bleeding
may follow infection/vaccination espesh in kids (adults it is more chronic)
PURPURA are non-blanching lesions caused by bleeding under the skin
mx immune thrombocytopenic purpura
monitor platelet count
control BP
suppressing menstrual periods
<30x10^9/L platelet count / >+ features/high risk = ORAL PREDNISOLONE
IV immunoglobulin if active bleeding as works faster
Splenectomy if this doesn’t work
Rituximab (a monoclonal antibody that targets B cells - B cells produce antibodies)
indication for blood transfusion
Hb < 70g/L
or <80 if they have acute coronary syndrome
most common inherited thrombophilia
factor V leiden
increases risk of VTE
Any of the following features in a person aged 0-24 years should prompt a very urgent full blood count (within 48 hours) to investigate for leukaemia:
Pallor
Persistent fatigue
Unexplained fever
Unexplained persistent infections
Generalised lymphadenopathy
Persistent or unexplained bone pain
Unexplained bruising
Unexplained bleeding
young px w hepatosplenomegaly or unexplained petichiae
referred for immediate assessment
what is essential thrombocythaemia
proliferation of megakaryocytes (responsible for production of platelets)
a type of blood cancer
what is primary myelofibrosis
proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells
- normal bone marrow tissue is gradually replaced with a fibrous scar-like material
-> extramedullary haematopoiesis
rare chronic disorder
features of Buerger’s disease (a small and medium vessel vasculitis)
strongly assoc w smoking
extremity ischaemia (as blood vessels become blocked)
- intermittent claudication
- ischaemic ulcers
superficial thrombophlebitis
Raynaud’s phenomenon
what is neutropenic sepsis
overwhelming infection that can affect people who have a low neutrophil count
an emergency
usually comp of chemo 7-14 days after
may be defined as a neutrophil count of < 0.5 * 109 in a patient who is having anticancer treatment and has one of the following:
a temperature higher than 38ºC or
other signs or symptoms consistent with clinically significant sepsis
most common cause of neutropenic sepsis
(a bacteria)
coagulase-negative, Gram-positive bacteria - particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis
probs due to indwelling lines
neutropenic sepsis prophylaxis
a fluoroquinolone
e.g. ciprofloxacin
tx for neutropenic sepsis
empirical antibiotic therapy with piperacillin with tazobactam (Tazocin) immediately
what inheritance pattern is hereditary spherocytosis
autosomal dominant
what is the presentation of Hereditary spherocytosis
- jaundice
- anaemia
- gallstones
- splenomegaly
can have episodes of haemolytic crisis / aplastic crisis
what is aplastic crisis
increased anaemia, haemolysis and jaundice, without the normal response from the bone marrow of creating new RBCs (demonstrated by extra reticulocytes).
In aplastic crisis there is no reticulocyte response
what infection usually causes aplastic crisis
parvovirus B19
lymph node biopsy for Burkitt’s lymphoma
starry sky appearance
infection assoc w Burkett lymphoma
EBV
(HIV, malaria)
infection assoc w diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
hep C virus
infection assoc w T cell lymphoma
Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1
what is polycythaemia rubra vera
blood cancer that causes bone marrow to make too many RBCs
inheritance of haemophilia A + B
X-linked recessive
- so mostly affects males
more common haemophilia
A
what is haemophilia A caused by
deficiency in factor VIII (8)
what is haemophilia B caused by
deficiency in factor IX (9)
presentation of haemophilia
Most cases present in neonates or early childhood
- intracranial haemorrhage, haematomas and cord bleeding in neonates.
Severe
- spontan bleeding into joints (haemoarthrosis) + muscles
how is haemophilia dx
Diagnosis is based on bleeding scores, coagulation factor assays and genetic testing.
mx of haemophilia
- Infusions of the affected factor (VIII or IX)
- Desmopressin to stimulate the release of von Willebrand Factor
- Antifibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid
what is von willebrand disease (VWD)
most common inherited cause of abnormal bleeding
most AD
deficiency, absence or malfunctioning of a glycoprotein called von Willebrand factor (VWF)
type 1-3 (3 most severe)
presentation of VWD
unusually easy, prolonged or heavy bleeding:
Bleeding gums with brushing
Nose bleeds (epistaxis)
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
Heavy bleeding during surgical operations
FHx
mx of VWD
- tranexamic acid for mild bleeding
- Desmopressin can be used to stimulates the release of VWF
- VWF can be infused
- Factor VIII is often infused along with plasma-derived VWF
what is Richter’s transformation
occurs when leukaemia cells enter the lymph node and change into a high-grade, fast-growing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
sx in Richter’s transformation
px get unwell suddenly
lymph node swelling
fever without infection
weight loss
night sweats
nausea
abdominal pain
suspect when you get new B sx in CLL
what is ALL
malignancy of immature lymphoid cells - B + T cells
who gets ALL
2-4 yrs
assoc w Down’s
what is the most common childhood cancer
ALL
ix in ALL
blood film = blast cells
bone marrow biopsy = >20% blast cells
what is AML
uncontrolled proliferation of myeloid blast cells (myeloblasts)
who gets AML
commonest acute leukaemia in adults
65+
can be a result of transformation from myeloproliferative disorder
characteristics of AML
neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
more acute presentation
how does leukaemia normally present
fatigue
fever
bone marrow failure - anaemia -> pallor, decreased WCC -> infection, decreased platelets -> bleeding + bruising (petechiae)
infiltration -> bone pain
hepatosplenomegaly
lymphadenopathy
what do the blast cells have in AML
Auer rods
what is CML
uncontrolled proliferation of myeloid (mature) cells
CML presentation
anaemia
weight loss and sweating are common
splenomegaly may be marked → abdo discomfort, fullness
an increase in GRANULOCYTES AT DIFFERENT STAGES IN MATURATION
+/- thrombocytosis
decreased leukocyte ALP
slow + steady decline
who gets CML
65+
philadelphia chromosome (t(9;22)) present in > 80%
phases of CML
chronic phase - long + asx (raised WCC)
accelerated phase - abnormal blast cells take up a high prop of cells, dev anaemia + thrombocytopenia, immunocomp
blast phase - higher prop, severe sx, pancytopenia
CML tx
IMATINIB is first-line treatment
- inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase
what is CLL
accumulation of mature B lymphocytes in peripheral blood
who gets CLL
most common leukaemia
M
Elderly - 72 yrs
1/3 never progress, 1/3 progress slowly, 1/3 progress actively
ix for CLL
blood film = smudge cells
what is CLL assoc w
warm AI haemolytic anaemia
Richters transformation
electrolyte disturbances in tumour lysis syndrome
hyperkalaemia
hyperuricaemia
hyperphosphataemia
hypocalcaemia
G6PD deficiency inheritance
X-linked recessive
features G6PD deficiency
neonatal jaundice is often seen
intravascular haemolysis
gallstones are common
splenomegaly may be present
G6PD deficiency blood film
Heinz bodies on blood films. Bite and blister cells may also be seen
what can precipitate G6PD deficiency crisis
anti-malarials: primaquine
ciprofloxacin
sulph- group drugs: sulphonamides,
sulphasalazine, sulfonylureas
broad (fava) beans
infection