Haematology - Other Flashcards
What is the cause of myeloma?
Genetic changes (c14 translocation, hyperdiploidy) that occur during the terminal differentiation of B lymphocytes into plasma cells.
What is a paraprotein?
A monoclonal antibody found in blood as a result of cancer
What are the paraproteins found in the serum in myeloma?
IgG most commonly
Then IgA
What is found in the urine in myeloma and how?
Bence-Jones protein (light chains)
Urine electrophoresis
What are the patient demographics of myeloma patients?
Median age 70y
Commoner in males and Black Africans
What are the main symptoms of myeloma?
C - hypercalcaemia
R - renal failure
A - anaemia
B - bone lesions
What are the symptoms of hypercalcaemia?
Polyuria and polydipsia
Constipation and nausea
Renal stones
Confusion
How does bone marrow failure result from myeloma?
Plasma cells infiltrate the bone marrow, leading to anaemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.
How does renal failure occur in myeloma?
Deposition of light chains in renal tubules
What causes the lytic lesions of myeloma?
Dysregulation of bone remodelling; unopposed osteolysis from increased osteoclast activity due to increased production of RANK ligand –> hypercalcaemia
Myeloma cells produce DKK1 which inhibit osteoblast activity
Where are lytic lesions commonly found in myeloma?
Vertebrae - back pain
Skull - pepperpot
Long bones and ribs
The paraprotein in myeloma can cause hyperviscosity; what are the symptoms?
Blurred vision
Dizziness
Epistaxis
Confusion
How is myeloma diagnosed, other than urine electrophoresis?
FBC for BM failure ESR high High Ca2+ Rouleaux on blood film Serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation BM aspirate Skeletal survey - MRI
What are rouleaux?
4 red blood cells in a row from paraprotein
What is seen on radiological investigation in myeloma?
Lytic lesions
Plasmacytomas
What are the differentials for presence of monoclonal proteins in the blood?
MGUS Light chain amyloidosis Plasmacytoma CLL B-cell lymphoma
What does MGUS stand for and what is it?
What percentage of patients progress to myeloma?
Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. An isolated finding of paraprotein in the serum. 20% Progresses to multiple myeloma in 25 years (Rate = 1% per year)
Define smouldering/indolent myeloma and what is the rate of progression?
Asymptomatic myeloma: significant paraproteinaemia but no end organ damage.
Rate of progression is 10%/year
What protease inhibitor medication is used to induce remission in myeloma, as well as stem cell transplant if possible?
Bortezumib (protease inhibitor)/Thalidomide
+
Alkylating agent +/- dexamethasone
What are some alternative medications used for relapse of myeloma?
2nd stem cell transplant
Daratumumab
Ixazomib
Name three supportive treatments of multiple myeloma.
Bone pain - radiotherapy and bisphosphonates
Infection - flu vac
Anaemia - transfusion + EPO
Vertebral fractures - kyphoplasty
What is the main side effect of bortezomib?
Peripheral neuropathy
What is lymphoma?
A group of lymphoproliferative malignancies (neoplastic transformation of B or T cells)
What are Reed-Sternberg cells and in what condition are they found?
Neoplastic B cells with mirror image nuclei
Hodgkins’ lymphoma
What are the main presentations of lymphomas?
Painless cervical/mediastinal lymphadenopathy
B symptoms - weight loss, night sweats, fatigue, anorexia, fever
Hepatosplenomegaly
What are the main diagnostic techniques in lymphoma?
Lymph node ultrasound and fine needle aspiration/biopsy Bone marrow biopsy FBC and blood films U&Es, LFTs, LDH, uric acid CT scan
What is the chemotherapy regimen used in Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
ABVD 2-8 cycles depending on stage
Doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine
What is the chemotherapy regimen used for B-cell lymphomas?
R-CHOP
Rituximab (not T cell), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone
What are two risk factors for Burkitt’s lymphoma and what is the main symptom?
EBV and AIDS
Jaw tumour
What staging system is used for lymphoma?
Ann Arbor
Give three risk factors for general lymphoma.
Smoking
EBV
HIV
What factors suggest a poor prognosis in lymphoma?
Increasing age Constitutional symptoms Anaemia/leucopenia/leucocytosis Increased ESR or low albumin Male gender Lymphocyte-depleted subtype
How is neutropenia managed in lymphoma patients?
Antibiotic prophylaxis
rhG-CSF
What is the general treatment of lymphoma?
High dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant