Haematology- Introduction to Haematological Malignancy

Question 1

Myeloid malignancies affect which cells?

Answer 1

Either:
RBC
Platelets
Granulocytes
Monocytes

Question 2

Lymphoid malignancies affect which cells?

Answer 2

Either:
B-cells
T-cells

Question 3

What is the most common paediatric cancer?

Answer 3

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Question 4

What are the clinical features of acute leukaemia?

Answer 4

Triad of:
Bone marrow failure
Anaemia
Thrombocytopenic bleeding (mucous membranes)
Infection because of neutropenia

Also:
Tissue infiltration
Hyperviscosity

Question 5

Is bone marrow failure seen in acute or chronic myeloid leukaemia?

Answer 5

Acute myeloid leukaemia

Question 6

If lymphadenopathy is localised and painful, what should you suspect?

Answer 6

Bacterial infection in the draining site

Question 7

If lymphadenopathy is localised and painless, what are some of the differentials?

Answer 7

Rare infections e.g. TB
Metastatic carcinoma from drainage site
Lymphoma
Reactive (no cause identified)

->metastatic cancer affecting lymph nodes is more common than lymphoma!!

Question 8

If a patient presents with localised, painless lymphadenopathy, and it felt hard to touch, what would you be suspicious of?

Answer 8

Metastatic carcinoma from draining site

Question 9

If a patient presents with localised, painless lymphadenopathy, and it felt rubbery to touch, what would you be suspicious of?

Answer 9

Lymphoma

Question 10

If lymphadenopathy is generalised and painful/tender, what should you suspect?

Answer 10

Viral infections e.g. EBV, HIV, hepatitis, glandular fever

Question 11

If lymphadenopathy is generalised and painless, what are some of the differential diagnosis’?

Answer 11

Lymphoma
Leukaemia
Connective tissue diseases e.g. sarcoidosis
Reactive (no cause identified)
Drugs