Haematology Flashcards
What is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
malignant clonal proliferation of lymphoblastic cells (most commonly B cells)
What is the most common childhood cancer?
ALL - most common <5 years
What are 3 risk factors for ALL?
Down’s
Kleinfelter’s syndrome
Fanconi anaemia
what are 5 poor prognostic factors for ALL?
<2 years or >10 years
WBC >20
T or B cell surface markers
Non-Caucasian
Male
what is the management of ALL?
4-8 weeks corticosteroids, vincristine, doxorubicin
Up to 1 year of high dose chemo started after remission
2 years of mercaptopurine and methotrexate after remission
Bone marrow transplant
What are 9 presentations of leukaemia?
Fatigue
Fever
Pallor
Petechiae/bruising/bleeding
Frequent infections
Bone pain
Lymphadenopathy
Hepatosplenomegaly
Failure to thrive
what are 7 general investigations for leukaemia?
FBC - within 48h
Blood film
Lactate dehydrogenase
Bone marrow biopsy
CT/PET staging
Lymph node biopsy
Genetics and immunophenotyping
where is a bone marrow biopsy taken from?
iliac crest
what is the gold standard investigation for leukaemia?
bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
> 20% lymphoblasts/myeloblasts in bone marrow is diagnostic
what is the treatment for ALL?
Chemo - vincristine + corticosteroids
imatinib - if Philadelphia +ve
mercaptopurine + methotrexate => 2 years maintenance
bone marrow transplant
What is acute myeloid leukaemia?
the clonal expansion of myeloid blasts in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, or extramedullary tissues.
what are 5 risk factors for AML?
65+
previous chemo/radiation
Down’s syndrome
benzene - painters, petroleum, rubber
Myeloproliferative disorders
which leukaemia is associated with DIC?
AML - abnormal promyelocytes release granules which can cause thrombocytopenia
what is the most common leukaemia in Downs?
AML
what is the pathophysiology of AML?
Accumulation of myeloid blasts unable to differentiate into mature neutrophils, RBCs or platelets resulting in bone marrow failure
what is characteristically seen on blood smear in AML?
Auer rods
what is the management of AML?
Cytarabine and an anthracycline (daunorubicin)
All-trans retinoid acid - promyelocytic leukaemia
stem cell transplant
what is the AML classification system?
French-American-British (FAB) classification
what is the prognosis for AML?
high incidence of relapse
5 year survival - 25%
what is reticulocyte count?
measure of immature RBCs
What are 5 causes of microcytic anaemia?
TAILS
Thalassaemia
Anaemia of chronic disease
Iron deficiency
Lead Poisoning
Sideroblastic anaemia
what are 5 causes of normocytic anaemia?
AAAHH
Acute blood loss
Anaemia of chronic disease
Aplastic anaemia - CKD, bone marrow suppression
Haemolytic anaemia
Hypothyroidism
what are 7 causes of macrocytic anaemias?
FAT RBC
Foetus - pregnancy
Alcohol - normoblastic
Thyroid disease - hypo
Reticulocytosis - haemolytic anaemia/blood loss
B12 and Folate deficiency - megaloblastic
Cirrhosis and liver disease
what are 3 causes of macrocytic megaloblastic anaemia?
B12 deficiency
Folate deficiency
Meds - methotrexate
what are 7 causes of macrocytic normoblastic anaemia?
Alcohol
Liver disease
Hypothyroidism
Pregnancy
Reticulocytosis
Myelodysplasia
Drugs - cytotoxic
what are 6 symptoms of anaemia?
often asymptomatic
Fatigue/faintness
headache, confusion, dizziness
SOB
angina/palpitations/claudication
Pica - abnormal cravings - IDA only
Hair loss - IDA only
what is the reference range for MCV?
80-100 femtolitres
What are the WHO the reference ranges for Hb?
Women - 120-165 g/litre
Men - 130-180 g/Litre
where is B12 found?
Meat
fish
dairy
eggs
NO PLANTs
how long do B12 stores last?
4 years
what are 3 causes of B12 deficiency anaemia?
diet
malabsorption
pernicious anaemia (most common)
How is B12 absorbed?
combines with INTRINSIC FACTOR secreted from PARIETAL CELLS in stomach and absorbed in TERMINAL ILEUM
why is B12 necessary?
needed for DNA and thymine synthesis
what are 7 neurological complications of B12 deficiency?
Loss of cutaneous sensation
loss of mental/physical drive
Muscle weakness
Optic neuropathy
Psychiatric disturbance
Symmetrical neuropathy affecting legs more than arms
Urinary/faecal incontinence
what is the name of the test for measuring total B12?
serum cobalamin
what can be seen on blood film in B12/folate deficiency?
Oval macrocytes, hypersegmented neutrophils and circulating megaloblasts in the blood film, as well as megaloblastic change in the bone marrow, are typical features of clinical cobalamin deficiency.
what are 4 conditions associated with pernicious anaemia?
Thyroid disease
Vitiligo
Stomach Cancer
Addisons
what is the test for pernicious anaemia?
anti-intrinsic factor anybody test
what is pernicious anaemia?
autoimmune destruction of parietal cells leading to B12 deficiency anaemia
what are 3 risk factors for B12 anaemia?
vegan
history of GI surgery
H.pylori infection
what are 3 differentials for B12 anaemia?
B9 deficiency
myelodysplatic syndrome
alcoholic liver disease
what is the treatment for B12 anaemia?
oral cyanocobalamin 50-150mg OD
IM hydroxocobalamin 1g 2x yearly
what are 3 complications of B12 anaemia?
neurological deficits
neural tube defects
optic atrophy and psychiatric symptoms
What is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?
a malignant monoclonal proliferation of B lymphocytes
what is the most common leukaemia in adulthood?
CLL
what are 3 risk factors for CLL?
70+
male
FHx
what is seen on blood smear in CLL?
Smudge cells
also spherocytes and polychromasia
what are 3 treatment options for CLL?
monitoring - early stage
Chemo - FCR, chlorambucil and rituximab
stem cell transplant
what are 3 CLL specific complications?
Richter’s transformation to high grade B-cell lymphoma
Warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Hypogammaglobulinaemia
what is the rule of 3s in CLL?
1/3 don’t progress
1/3 progress slowly
1/3 progress actively
what is chronic myeloid leukaemia?
the malignant proliferation of partially mature myeloid cells (especially granulocytes) in bone marrow and blood
what are the 3 phases of CML?
Chronic - usually asymptomatic, can last several years before progressing
Accelerated - blasts increase leading to pancytopenia
Blast phase - >20% blasts, severe symptoms often fatal pancytopenia
what gene is related to CML??
the Philadelphia chromosome
on chromosome 22
Associated with BCR-ALB1
what leukaemia is the Philadelphia gene related to?
CML
when is the peak incidence of CML?
65-75
what is a known risk factor for CML?
ionising radiation
what is the gold standard for CML?
presence of Philadelphia chromosome - cytogenetics/FISH
what is the treatment for CML?
1 - Imatinib - tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Hydroxyurea
Interferon alpha
Bone marrow transplant
what is the prognosis for CML?
75% 5 year survival
what is folate (B9) present in?
green vegetables
legumes
some fruits
yeast
liver
nuts
how long do folate stores last?
4 months
where in folate absorbed?
proximal jejunum/duodenum
what are 4 risk factors for folate deficiency?
elderly/young
poverty
chron’s/coeliac
pregnant
what is folate needed for?
DNA synthesis and repair
what are 7 clinical features of folate (B9) and B12 deficiency?
anaemia symptoms - SOB, Headache, cognitive changes, weakness
Glossitis - red smooth shiny tongue
Oropharyngeal ulceration
Diarrhoea
Heart murmur
Mild jaundice
Pallor of mucous membranes or nail beds
What is the management of folate deficiency anaemia?
oral folic acid 5mg OD for 4 months
ALWAYS CHECK B12 and replace if low - replacing folate can mark low b12 and allow neurology to develop
what are 3 differentials of folate deficiency?
B12 deficiency
hypothyroidism
alcoholic liver disease
what are 2 complications of folate deficiency?
pregnancy complications (prematurity)
Cardiovascular disease
what is G6PD deficiency?
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
X-linked condition causing haemolytic anaemia due to susceptibility of RBCs to free radicals
common in middle eastern, Mediterranean and African populations
what are 3 triggers for haemolysis in G6PD deficiency?
Infection
Medications
Broad (fava) beans
what are 6 medications that can trigger haemolysis in G6PD?
Primaquine - antimalarial
Ciprofloxacin
Nitrofurantoin
Trimethoprim
Sulfonylureas (gliclazide)
Sulfasalazine
what are 5 presentations of G6PD?
jaundice - can be neonatal
Anaemia
Intermittent jaundice - in response to triggers
Gallstones
Splenomegaly
what ca be used to diagnose G6PD?
G6PD enzyme assay - checked 3 months after acute episode of haemolysis
what can be seen on blood film in G6PD deficiency?
Heinz bodies - blobs of denatured haemoglobin within RBCs
Bite and blister cells
what are 3 inherited causes of haemolytic anaemia?
RBC membrane defects (spherocytosis, elliptocytosis)
Enzyme defects (G6PD)
haemoglobinopathies (thalassaemia, sickle cell)
what are 5 acquired causes of haemolytic anaemia?
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Alloimmune haemolytic anaemia (transfusion reaction, haemolytic disease of newborn)
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
Prosthetic valve related Haemolysis
what are 4 risk factors for haemolytic anaemia?
autoimmune disorders
FHx
drugs
prosthetic heart valves
what are 4 manifestations of haemolytic anaemia?
anaemia - pallor, fatigue, dizzy, SOB
Jaundice
Dark urine
Splenomegaly
what is the gold standard investigation for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Coombs test (direct antiglobulin test)
what is seen on blood film in haemolytic anaemia?
Schistocytes - fragments of RBCs
what are the 2 different types of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Warm - more common, Haemolysis occurs at normal or higher temperatures
Cold - haemolysis occurs at <10 degrees after RBCs agglutinate due to antibodies attaching
what are 5 conditions that cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia can be associated with?
Lymphoma
Leukaemia
SLE
Infection - mycoplasma, EBV, CMV, HIV
what is the treatment for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Rituximab
Prednisolone
Blood transfusion
splenectomy
what is paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria?
mutation in haematopoietic stem cells in bone morrow causing loss of RBC surface proteins which inhibit complement cascade leading to RBC destruction
what is the classical presentation of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria?
red urine in the morning - contains haemoglobin and haemosiderin
Anaemia
thrombosis
smooth muscle dystonia - oesophageal spasm, erectile dysfunction
what is the management of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria?
Eculizumab - MAB targeting complement component 5
Bone marrow transplant
what is microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia?
destruction of RBCs due to abnormal activation of clotting cascade causing micro thrombi
associated with haemolytic uraemic syndrome, DIC, TTP, SLE, Cancer
What is Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Uncommon haematological malignancy arising from mature B cells (lymphocytes)
Characterised by the presence of Hodgkin’s cells and Reed-Sternberg cells.
what are 4 risk factors for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
EBV infection
FHx
HIV + immunosuppression
autoimmune conditions - RhA, Sarcoidosis
what is the age distribution for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Bimodal -
20-25 years
>80 years
what are 9 presentations of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Painless Lymphadenopathy
Hepatosplenomegally (less common than in NHL)
B symptoms - Fever, Weight loss, Night Sweats
Pruritus
Fatigue
Recurrent infections
SOB + cough
Abdo pain
Alcohol induced lymph node pain
what are 3 investigations for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
FBC - anaemia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutrophilia
PET/CT for staging
Bone marrow biopsy
what is the diagnostic investigation for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
exicisional lymph node biopsy
what cells are seen on lymph node biopsy in Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Reed-sternberg cells
- Owls eye appearance - huge multinucleated lymphocytes
Also:
Lacunar cells
popcorn cells - in nodular lymphocyte predominant hodgkin’s lymphoma
what are 3 differentials for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
non-hodgkin’s
lymphoma
infectious mononucleosis
Other malignancy - head and neck cancer, breast cancer
what is the treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Chemo - usually ABVD
- Adriamyacin
- Bleomycin
- Vinblastine
- Dacarbazine
Radiotherapy
bone marrow transplant
what are 4 complications for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Secondary malignancies
chemo related cardio toxicity
pulmonary toxicity
Superior vena cava syndrome
what staging is used in Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Lugano classification
what are the Lugano classification stages?
For Hodgkin’s lymphoma
I - single lymph node/group
II - 2+ lymph nodes one side of diaphragm
III - nodes on both sides of diaphragm
IV - spread beyond lymph nodes
A/B => presence of B symptoms or not
E = extranodal disease
S = Spleen involvement
X = Bulky disease (large tumour)
what is the most common type of anaemia?
iron deficiency
what percentage of menstruating women have iron deficiency anaemia?
14%
what are 4 causes of iron deficiency?
low dietary iron
impaired absorption (coeliac)
increased iron loss (bleeding)
increased iron required (children, pregnant, lactating)
what are 6 risk factors for Iron deficiency anaemia?
pregnancy
veggie/vegan diet
Menorrhagia
hook worms
CKD
gasterectomy/NSAIDs
where is iron absorbed?
duodenum and jejunum
what is the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia?
oral iron replacement
- ferrous sulphate 200mg OD PO
- Ferrou fumarate 210 mg OD PO
for 3 months after iron deficiency is corrected
absorbic acid
IV iron - iron dextran/sucrose, ferruc carboxymaltose, ferric Deriso-maltose
Packed RBC - Hb <70
what are 4 reasons for poor absorption of iron?
Absorption - coeliac and crohns
Low stomach acid - PPIs, H. Pylori
what is the criteria for 2 week wait in IDA?
Over 60
Post menopausal women Hb <100
Men Hb <110
what are 5 side effects of iron supplementation?
Nausea
Abdo pain
constipation
diarrhoea
black stools
what are 7 complications of iron deficiency anaemia?
Cognitive impairment
Impaired muscular performance
High output heart failure
Lowered immunity
Increased maternal and foetal morbidity
Preterm delivery
Maternal postpartum fatigue
what is the top cause of iron deficiency worldwide?
hook worms
what is malaria?
a parasitic infection caused by protozoa of the Plasmodium family which is transmitted to humans by the bite of an anopheles mosquito
what plasmid is the most common cause of malaria in the UK?
Plasmodium falciparum
also the most severe
how is malaria transmitted?
by female anopheles mosquitos
what are 5 plasmids that cause malaria?
Palsmodium flaciparum - most common
plasmodium vivax - second most common
plasmodium ovale
plasmodium malariae
plasmodium knowlesi
what is the life cycle of a malaria plasmodium?
Plasmodium reproduces in mosquito’s gut producing thousands of sporozoites which are injected into whoever they bite
The sporozoites travel to liver - P. vivax and P. ovale can lay dormant for months to years
Sporozoites mature in liver to merozoites which enter blood and infect RBCs where they reproduce leading the RBCs to rupture causing haemolytic anaemia
what are the fevers like in P. vivax and p. ovale malaria infections?
Spikes every 48 hours - tertian malaria
what are the fevers like in P. falciparum malaria?
spikes more frequently and less regularly - Subtertian
what are the fevers like in p. malariae malaria?
spikes every 72 hours - quartan
what are 6 manifestations of malaria infection?
High fever, sweats and rigors
Fatigue
Myalgia
Headache
nausea and vomiting
Pallor - anaemia
Hepatosplenomegaly
Jaundice - haemolysis
what are 2 investigations for malaria?
Giemsa stain blood film - gold
rapid diagnostic test
thin and thick blood smear
what is required to rule out malaria?
3 negative samples from 3 consecutive days
due to life cycle of release of merozoites
what is the management of uncomplicated malaria?
arthemether + lumefantrine
OR
Quinine + Doxycycline/clindamycin
OR
Proguanil + atovaquone
OR
Chloroquine - high resistance
OR
Primaquine
what is a contraindication to administration of primaquine?
G6PD deficiency - causes severe haemolysis
what is the management of severe/complicated malaria?
1 - IV artesunate
IV artemether
IV quinine dihydrochloride
what are 8 complications of malaria?
Cerebral malaria
seizures
reduced consciousness
AKI
pulmonary oedema
DIC
Severe haemolytic anaemia
Multi-organ failure
Death
what is the advice for travelling to malaria endemic areas?
No method 100% effective alone
Mosquito spray - 50% DEET
Mosquito nets and barriers
Seek medical advice if symptomatic
take antimalarials
what are 4 prophylactic antimalarials?
proguanil with atovaquone (malarone) - 2 days before to 7 days after
Doxycycline - 2 days before to 4 weeks after
Mefloquine - risk of psychiatric side effects - 2 weeks before to 4 weeks after
Chloroquine with proguanil - high resistance
what is multiple myeloma?
cancer of plasma cells (differentiated b lymphocytes) which causes production of large quantities of specific paraprotein (M protein), an abnormal antibody or part antibody
Multiple when affecting multiple bone marrow areas of the body
what is MGUS?
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
production of a specific paraprotein without the features of myeloma
1% risk per year of development into myeloma
what is smouldering myeloma?
abnormal plasma cells and paraproteins without organ damage or symptoms - 10% risk of progression to myeloma per year
Monoclonal protein in serum >30 g/L
or urine >500mg/24h
or clonal bone marrow plasma cells (10-60%)
what are 5 risk factors for multiple myeloma?
MGUS - monoclonal gamopathy of undetermined significance
Smouldering myeloma
Increasing age
FHx
African ancestry
what is the pathophysiology of multiple myeloma?
There is genetic mutation in a b cell leading to production of clonal plasma cells which overproduce antibodies (immunoglobulins)
These abnormal immunoglobulins produced are called paraproteins or M proteins leading to abnormally high levels of paraprotein in the blood (paraproteinaemia)
what is the most common Ig produced in multiple myeloma?
IgG - 55%
what are the 3 stages of multiple myeloma?
1 - low levels of beta-2 migroglobulin <3.5mg/L and normal albumin
2 - neither stage 1 or 3
3 - High levels of beta-2 microglobulin >5.5 mg/L
what are 6 manifestation of multiple myeloma?
Old CRAB
- Age 65+
- Calcium - high
- Renal failure - due to light chain deposition in renal tubules
- Anaemia - bone marrow infiltration - normocytic, normochromic
- Bone pain/Bleeding
infections
fatigue
pathological fractures
weight loss
fever
what causes hypercalcaemia in multiple myeloma?
1 - Myeloma bone disease - Cytokines released from abnormal plasma cells leads to increased osteoclastic activity leading to bone resorption, osteolytic lesions and pathological fractures
Also Renal failure - reduced excretion
what causes renal disease in multiple myeloma?
Paraproteins deposited in renal tubules
Hypercalcaemia affects kidney function
Dehydration
Glomerulonephritis
Medications
what is hyper viscosity syndrome?
Increased plasma viscosity due to increased proteins in the blood
In multiple myeloma due to paraproteins
Causes bleeding, visual symptoms and eye changes, neurological complications (stroke), heart failure
what are 8 investigations for multiple myeloma?
Urine bence-jones protein electrophoresis test
Serum protein electrophoresis
Serum-free light-chain assay
FBC
serum calcium
ESR + plasma viscosity - raised
U+E
What is needed to confirm a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?
Bone marrow biopsy
Assess bone lesions with whole body MRI/low dose CT/skeletal survey
what is the diagnostic criteria for multiple myeloma?
Clonal bone marrow plasma cells >10 or biopsy proven plasmacytoma
PLUS one of: SLIM CRAB
S - >60% plasma cells in marrow
LI - Involved:uninvolved Light chain ration >100
MRI focal lesions 2+ >5mm
C - Hypercalcaemia
Renal insufficiency
Anaemia <100
Bone lesion x1 on x-ray/CT >5mm
what are 3 differentials for multiple myeloma?
MGUS
smouldering myeloma
amyloidosis
what 3 things can be seen on X-ray in multiple myeloma?
Well defined lytic lesions - punched out
Diffuse osteopenia
Abnormal fractures
Lytic lesions in skull may be referred to a raindrop or pepper pot skull
Is multiple myeloma curable?
NO - has chronic relapsing remitting course
what is the treatment for multiple myeloma?
Good function, <70 -
Bortezomib +
Dexamethasone +/-
Thalidomide +
Stem cell transplant
Poor function, >70 -
Bortezomib +
Prednisolone +
Melphalan
Bortezomib - 1st for relapse
what is the management of bone disease in multiple myeloma?
Bisphosphonates - Zoledronic acid 1st line
radiotherapy
ortho surgery
what are the 2 different types of stem cell transplant?
Autologous - using own stem cells
Allogenic - using donor cells
what are 6 complications of multiple myeloma?
recurrent infections
Fatigue
pathological fractures
renal failure
anaemia
hypercalcaemia
what is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Malignant proliferations of B or T lymphocytes without reed-Sternberg cells
what are 3 different types of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma - rapidly growing painless mass in older men
Burkitt lymphoma - particularly associated with EBV
MALT lymphoma - affects mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue usually around stomach
What are 6 risk factors for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
FHx
>60 years
EBV infection
Hep B/C
H. Pylori - associated with MALT lymphoma
Autoimmune disease
are non-hodgkin’s lymphomas more commonly of T or B cell origin?
B cells - 80-90%
what are 6 presentations of non-hodgkin’s?
Painless lymphadenopathy
B symptoms - weight loss, fever, night sweats
Mass effect symptoms - SOB, cough, Jaundice, hydronephrosis, vomiting and constipation
what are 3 investigations of nom-hodgkin’s lymphoma?
FBC with differential - thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, lymphocytosis
blood smear
excision lymph node biopsy
How is nodal spread in Hodgkin’s versus non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Contiguous in Hodgkin’s lymphoma
non contiguous in Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
what is the 2ww criteria for lymphadenopathy?
> 6 weeks lymphadenopathy
1+ nodes >2cm diameter
Rapidly increasing lymphadenopathy
Generalised lymphadenopathy
Persistent and unexplained splenomegaly
what are 3 differentials for non-hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Hodgkin’s lymphoma
ALL
infectious mononucleosis
what is the management of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma?
chemo - R-CHOP
- Rituximab
- cyclophosphamide
- Doxorubicin
- Vincristine
- prednisolone
radiotherapy
Rituximab
stem cell transplant
what are 3 complications of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma?
impaired immunity
myelosuppression and neutropenic sepsis
tumour lysis syndrome
risk of secondary malignancy
what are 2 causes of relative polycythaemia?
Dehydration
Stress - Gaisbock syndrome
what are 4 secondary causes of polycythaemia?
COPD
Altitude
OSA
Excessive EPO - cerebellar haemangioma, hypernephroma, hepatoma, uterine fibroids
what is Polycythaemia vera?
a myeloproliferative disorder of clonal proliferation of erythrocytes often accompanied by overproduction of neutrophils and platelets