haematology - leukaemia Flashcards
acute leukaemia (ALL and AML)
acute, rapidly progressing, and fatal
neoplastic process affecting blood precursor cells
immature blasts > 20% of bone marrow cells
clinical features of ALL and AML
bone marrow function failure
- anaemia
- thrombocytopenia (bleeding)
- neutropenia (infection)
organ infiltration
- hepatomegaly
- splenomegaly
- lymphadenopathy
- bone pain
- CNS
- skin
- gum hypertrophy
aetiology of ALL and AML
most times, no clear trigger
ionising radiation
cytotoxic drugs
benzene
pre-leukaemic disorders
Down’s
Down’s syndrome and leukaemia
significantly increased risk of ALL/AML
dx of ALL and AML
morphology +/- cytochemistry
immunophenotyping with flow cytometry
cytogenetics
molecular genetics
ALL vs AML epidemiology
ALL: childhood
AML: increased risk with age and <2yrs
clinical features of ALL
lymphadenopathy CNS involvement testicular enlargement thyme enlargement extra medullary disease
what is extra medullary disease
solid leukaemia deposits outside the bone marrow
clinical features of AML
lymphadenopathy is less common
M3: propane to DIC and bleeding
M4/5: skin/gum infiltration and hypokalaemia
ALL investigations and findings
high WCC (blasts) blasts have tails/blebs of cytoplasm
flow cytometry:
CD34 = stem cells
CD3, 4, 8 = T cells
CD19, 23 = B cells
AML investigations and findings
high WCC (blasts) Auer rods and granules
flow cytometry:
CD34 = stem cells
CD33, 13, MPO = myeloid cells
Auer rods
seen in AML
philadelphia chromosome leukaemia
9:22 translocation
seen in ALL/CML
treatment of ALL/AML
chemotherapy
targeted treatments
chemotherapy for ALL
remission induction:
chemo agents + steroids
consolidation:
high dose multi drug chemo
maintenance:
F: 2yrs, M: 3 yrs
consider alto-stem cell transplant if high risk of relapse
targeted treatment of ALL
nelarabine (T-ALL)
CAR-T cells
blinatummab (B-ALL)
imatinib if 9,22 translocation
imatinib
9:22 Philadelphia chromosome ALL
supportive treatment for ALL
blood products Abx allopurinol fluids electrolytes
chemotherapy for AML
remission induction:
daunorubicin
cytarabine
consolidation:
cytarabine
No CNS propylaxis/maintenance
consider allo-SCT if high risk of relapse
ATRA
acute promyelocytic leukaemia (AML)
midostaurin
FLT3 mutations AML