Haematology: Malignancy Flashcards
What is CML?
- Clonal myeloproliferative disorder
- Increase in neutrophils and neutrophil precursor
- Most patients have the BCR ABL translocation (philapdelphia chromsome)
what is the philadelphia chromosome?
the ABL region of chromosome 9 attaches onto the BCR segment of chromosome 22. This causes an abnormal chromosome 22 which causes synthesis of an abnormal protein with increased tyrosine kinase activity.
What are the symptoms of CML?
patients usually present in the chronic phase
- Weight loss, night sweats, itching, left hypochndrial pain, gout
- Splenomegaly
- May be discovered on a routine blood test
Which genetic tests do you do to look for the BCR ABLe gene?
FISH
PCR for RNA product
What is the FBC like in CML?
Raised WCC - mainly neutrophils and myelocytes
What is the blood film like in CML (chronic and acute phases)
Chronic
1. Immature granulocytes (myelocytes)
Acute
1. Blast cells
What is the treatment of CML?
Imatinib (This is a specific inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase encoded for by BCR ABL
Hydroxyurea lowers WCC
Alpha interferon
Allopurinol (prevents gout)
Allogenic stem cell transplant
In the acute phase the treatment is the samer as AML with the addition of imatinib but the prognosis is poor for this.
What is myelodysplasia?
A clonal haemopoetic stem cell disorder where there is peripheral bloood cytopenias affecting more than one lineage and a cellular marrow (indicates ineffective haemopoesis)
What is the difference between primary and secondary myelodysplasia?
Primary: arises de novo
Secondary: Consequence of previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy
How does myelodysplasia present?
Usually elderly people
- Bone marrow failure
- Enlarged spleen
What does the FBC show in myelodysplasia?
Macrocytic anaemia
What does the blood film show in myelodysplasia?
Hypogranular neutrophils with bilobed nuclei
What genetic abnormalitis are associated with myelodysplasia?
chromosome 5 and 7 deletions or point mutations,
What is the treatment for myelodysplasia?
- Red cell, platelt and antibiotic therapies to reduce symptoms of pancytopenia
Chemotherapy
What do you see on the blood film of AML?
Auer rods in myeloblasts
Vucuolated monoblasts
What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
A B cell clonal lympho proliferative disease where lymphocytes accumulate in the bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen. Tends to occur in older people
How does CLL present?
Lymphadeonpathy Night sweats, weight loss Bone marrow failure Enlarged spleen May also be picked up on a routine blood test
What does the blood film of CLL show?
Large numbers of mature lymphoid cells and some smear cells.
What is the treatment for CLL?
- Observation for asymptomaticpatients with early disease
- Chlorambucil lowers lymphocyes count
- Steroids
Chemotherapy