Haemotology Flashcards
what is anaemia
it is a lower than normal concentration of haemoglobin or red blood cells
what levels of haemoglobin suggests anaemia in
1. men
2. women
- less than 130
- less than 120
what is haemolytic anaemia
increased breakdown of red blood cells
what is anaplastic anaemia
decreased red blood cells, white cells and platelets
what is microcytic anaemia
a reduced mean corpuscular volume
what is a MVC blood test
An MCV blood test measures the average size of your red blood cells
what is macrocytic anaemia
a raised MCV
what are the general symptom of anaemia
fatigue, headache, dizziness, dyspnoea (especially on exertion)
what are signs of anaemia
tachycardia, skin pallor, conjunctiva pallor, intermittent claudication
What is koilonychia and what does it indicate
spoon shaped nails - iron deficiency
what is angular stomatitis a sign of
iron deficiency and B12 deficiency
what does lemon yellow skin indicate
B12 deficiency
what does jaundice or dark urine indicate
haemolytic anaemia
what is microcytic anaemia
it is iron deficiency with low Hb, and a low MCV (less than 80 fl)
what is seen in iron studies of someone with microcytic anaemia
there is low ferratin (unless active inflammation)
low serum iron
low transferrin saturation
raised transferrin
what is seen on a blood film with microcytic anaemia
small hypochromic cells
what are causes of microcytic anaemia
reduced absorption - low intake, malabsorption or drugs like PPIs
increased utilization - pregnancy
blood loss - stool, trauma, surgery, menorrhagia
Thalassemia
scleroblastic anaemia
in chronic microcytic anaemia what is seen on a full blood count
low Hb, normal or low MVC but high ESR
what do iron studies of someone with chronic microcytic anaemia look like
normal or raised ferratin
low serum iron
low transferrin saturation and transferrin
what might be causes of chronic microcytic anaemia
chronic infection
chronic inflammation (connective tissue disease)
neoplasia
what could be other causes of microcytic anaemia
- sickle cell
- Thalassemia
- Sideroblastic anaemia
what is sideroblastic anaemia
it is when the bodies iron levels are normal but the body cant insert the iron into Hb
what can cause normocytic anaemia
acute blood loss
bone marrow failure
pregnancy
Haemolytic anaemia
aplastic anaemia
chronic disease
what is the presentation of haemolytic anaemia
jaundice and dark urine
what investigations are done to test for haemolytic anaemia
raised reticulocytes (chronic), raised bilirubin, raised urobilinogen, schistocytes on blood film (fragmented RBCs)
what are causes of haemolytic anaemia
- autoimmunity
- sepsis or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
- Sickle cell
- thalassemia
what is a type of macrocytic anaemia
B12 deficiency
what are causes of B12 deficiency
perncious anaemia - lack of intrinsic factor (cant absorb B12)
malabsorption - (coeliac, IBD, bowel resection, ileostomy)
decreased dietary intake
chronic nitrous oxide use
how does B12 deficiency present
Bloods: raised MCV, low Hb, low B12
Megaloblastic anaemia: defined by cell changes on blood smear
S&S: general anaemia presentation and a range of neurological symptoms as well
what is megablastic anaemia characterised by
oval shaped RBC’s, hyper segmented neutrophils
what could be other causes of macrocytic anaemia
diseases of the liver and spleen
haematological malignancy
alcohol
what can cause neutrophilia
infection
inflammation
CML
what can cause neutropenia
antibiotics
chemotherapy
marrow failure
liver disease
what can cause thrombocytosis
infection
inflammation
tissue injury
splenectomy
essential thrombocytopenia
what can cause thrombocytopenia
production failure - marrow failure (congenital/leptospirosis)
increased removal - ITP, TTP, DIC
what can cause lymphocytosis
EBV
CMV
hepatitis
malignancy - CLL, ALL, lymphoma
stress
what can cause lymphocytopenia
steroids
HIV
post - viral
marrow failure
chemotherapy
what is primary haemostasis
initiation and formation of a platelet plug
- platelet activation
what is secondary haemostasis
the formation of the fibrin clot
- intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathway
what causes initial platelet activation
collagen binding to GPVI/GPIIbIIIa via vWF
what causes amplification of platelet activation and clotting
thromboxane - binds TPa receptors
ADP binds P2Y12/P2Y1 receptors
other platelets form GPIIbIIIa cross bridges
thrombin - binds to PAR1/PAR4 receptors
what are the effects of platelet activation
platelets change shape
dense granules are released - contains ADP
alpha granules are released - inflammatory mediators and clotting factors
what drugs inhibits thromboxane formation
NSAIDS
what drugs inhibit P2Y12 binding
clopidogrel or ticagrelor
what drugs inhibits thrombin
dabigatran
what is the intrinsic clotting cascade
12 - 11 - 9 - 8 - 10 - 10a
what is the intrinsic clotting cascade initiated by
endothelial collagen exposure
what is the extrinsic clotting pathway
7 - 10 - 10a
what is the extrinsic clotting cascade initiated by
tissue factor - expressed on immune cells and endothelium
what is the common clotting cascade
10a - prothrombin (II) - thrombin (IIa) - fibrinogen - fibrin
what factor reinforces fibrin
factor 13
what does warfarin do
it blocks vitamin K - therefore vitamin K derived clotting factors - 2, 7, 9, 10 `
what is the action of heparin
acts via antithrombin III to prevent prothrombin activation
what is sickle cell
it is a genetic condition affecting the B globin chain (glutamic acid is substituted with valine)
what is the acute presentation of sickle cell
- MSK: bone and joint pain
- Infection
- Resp: dysponea, cough, hypoxia
- CNS: stroke
- GI: sequestration crisis
what is sequestration crisis
it is when the blood outflow of the spleen is blocked and blood accumulates leading to splenomegaly
what are risk factors for sickle cell crisis
low oxygen
cold weather
parvovirus B19
exertion
what are chronic complications of sickle cell
avascular necrosis of joints
silent CNS infarct
retinopathy
nephropathy
ED
what investigations are done for sickle cell anaemia
FBC - low MCV and low Hb
Blood smear - sickles erythrocytes
sickle solubility test
Hb electrophoresis
what is the management for Sickle cell crisis
- Acute: Morphine, O2, IV fluids, transfusion exchange
- Chronic: hydroxycarbamide
What is thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
ADAM TS13 protein deficiency - vWF cleaving protease
- you cant break clumps of vWF into monomers and it can cause microvascular clots to form
what are the risks for developing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
being adult
being female
how does thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura present
fatigue
fever
jaundice
petechiae
purpura
neurological defects
how do you diagnose thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
FBC: raise white cell count, low Hb and low platelets
Other: raised bilirubin and raised creatinine
blood smear: schistocytes
Clotting: PT and APTT is normal
what is the treatment for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
plasma exchange, IV methylprednisolone, monoclonal Abs
what is immune thrombocytopenic purpura
it is autoimmune IgG destruction of GPIIbIIIa meaning platelets cant activate and therefore causes problems with primary haemostasis
what are the risk factors for developing immune thrombocytopenic purpura
paediatric
post viral
what is the presentation of ITP
very similar to TTP - fatigue
fever
jaundice
petechiae
purpura
neurological defects
it is a diagnosis of exclusion really
what is seen when investigating ITP
FBC: raised white cell count, low Hb, low platelets
clotting: PT and APTT are normal
Blood smear is normal
What is the treatment for ITP
steroids or IV IgG
what is leukaemia
is the the cancer of bone marrow
what causes leukaemia
it is where immature blast cells proliferate uncontrollably, it takes up space within the bone marrow and then infiltrates into other tissues.
the lack of space within the bone marrow means fewer healthy cells can mature and be released into the blood.
what are the 4 types of leukaemia
acute myeloid leukaemia
acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia
chronic myeloid leukaemia
what are features of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
it is most common in children (0-4)
proliferation of immature lymphoblasts
how does acute lymphoblastic leukaemia present
general anaemia symptoms
bleeding/bruising
infections
hepatosplenomegaly
lymphadenopathy
CNS infiltration - headaches and palsies
How do you diagnose acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
FBC - anaemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia
blood film
bone marrow biopsy
imaging (CXR/CT) - lymphadenopathy
how do you manage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
blood and platelet transfusions
chemotherapy (methotrexate)
steroids
stem cell or bone marrow transplant
antibiotics
how does anaemia present
fatigue
dizziness
palpitations
pallor
shortness of breath
what is acute myeloid leukaemia
it is the proliferation of immature myelobasts
what are features of acute myeloid leukaemia
it is present mostly in the elderly
it only has a 15-5% survival
how does acute myeloid leukaemia present
general anaemia symptoms
bleeding or bruising
infections
hepatosplenomegaly
gum hypertrophy
how do you diagnose acute myeloid leukaemia
FBC - anaemia and thrombocytopenia
blood film
bone marrow biopsy - auer rods
how do you manage acute myeloid leukaemia
blood and platelet transfusions
chemotherapy
stem cell or bone marrow transport
antibiotics
what is chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia
proliferation of B lymphocytes
what are the features of chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia
mostly affects those 60 plus
most common type of leukaemia in adults
how does chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia present
it is often asymptomatic
lymphadenopathy
may have night sweats and weight loss
how do you diagnose chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia
FBC - anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis
blood film - smudge cells
bone marrow biopsy
how do you manage chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia
watch and wait in early stages
chemotherapy (rituximab)
stem cell or bone marrow transplant
what is chronic myeloid leukaemia
it is proliferation of myeloid blood cells
what are features of chronic myeloid leukaemia
most common in adults over 40
the vast majority of cases are associated with the Philadelphia chromosome
how does chronic myeloid leukaemia present
general anaemia symptoms
blooding or bruising
infections
hepatosplenomegaly
weight loss and night sweats
gout
how do you diagnose chronic myeloid leukaemia
FBC: anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis
bone marrow biopsy
blood film
genetic testing
how do you manage chronic myeloid leukaemia
chemotherapy
stem cell or bone marrow transplant
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Imatinib)
what is Hodgkin lymphoma
proliferation of lymphocytes in the lymph nodes
what is Hodgkin lymphoma associated with
EBV and immunosupression
what sort does incidence does Hodgkin lymphoma have
Bimodal distribution - peaks in early 20s and then in the 70s
what is the presentation of Hodgkin lymphoma
lymphadenopathy - painful upon drinking alcohol !!!
B-symptoms - fever, night sweats and weight loss
How do you diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma
ESR is raised
imaging is done (CXR/CT) - staging
lymph node biopsy - reed sternberg cells !!!
how do you manage Hodgkin lymphoma
ABVD chemotherapy - Doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine
radiotherapy
steroids
stem cell or bone marrow transplant
What is associated with Non- Hodgkin lymphoma
associated with EBV and immunosuppression
when does Non-Hodgkin lymphoma typically present
predominantly affects adults - over the age of 40
How does Non-Hodgkin lymphoma present
painless lymphadenopathy
B symptoms are weight loss, night sweats, fever
can get hepatosplenomegaly
How do you diagnose Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
imaging (CXR/CT) for staging
Lymph node biopsy - no Reed Sternberg cells
how do you manage Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
RCHOP chemotherapy
- rituximab
- cyclophosphamide
- hydroxy-daunorubicin
- vincristine
- prednisolone
radiotherapy
how do you stage lymphoma
the ann arbor staging is used for lymphoma staging
what is stage 1 on the Ann arbor scale
the disease is only in one area only
what is stage 2 on the Ann arbor scale
the disease is in 2 or more areas on the same side of the diaphragm
what is stage three on the Ann Arbor scale
the disease is in 2 or more areas on both sides of the diaphragm
what is stage four on the Ann Arbor scale
the disease has spread beyond the lymph nodes
what age group does multiple myeloma occur in (normally)
predominantly occurs in those over the age of 40
what condition does multiple myeloma have a close link to
monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
what is monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
there is too much of an immunoglobulin released by abnormal plasma cells
how does multiple myeloma present
hypercalcaemia - polydipsia, polyuria, constipation, abdominal pain
renal impairement
anaemia - fatigue, dizziness
bone lesions - bone pain
how do you diagnose multiple myeloma
FBC - anaemia, rouleaux formation (aggregation of RBC)
ESR is raised
Blood film - rouleaux formation
Serum and urine electrophoresis - bence jones protein in urine !!!!
bone marrow biopsy
imaging (X-ray/CT) - bone lesions
how do you manage multiple myeloma
chemotherapy
stem cell transplant
analgesia
bisphosphonates
blood transfusions
what are common chemotherapy combinations
VCD - bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone
VTD - bortezomib, thalidomide, dexamethasone
MTP - melphalan, thalidomide, prednisolone
what is polycythaemia
a high concentration of erythrocytes in the blood
what are types of polycythaemia
absolute - split into primary and secondary
relative
what is relative polycythaemia
there are a normal number of erythrocytes but there is a reduction in plasma
what are causes of relative polycythaemia
causes include obesity, dehydration and excessive alcohol consumption
what is absolute polycythaemia
there is an increased number of erythrocytes
what is primary absolute polycythaemia
abnormality in the bone marrow
- caused polycythaemia vera
what is secondary absolute polycythemia
a disease outside the bone marrow causing overstimulation of the bone marrow
what causes secondary absolute polycythaemia
COPD, sleep apnoea, PKD, renal artery stenosis, kidney cancer
what is a myeloma
a malignant tumour of the bone marrow
what are the features of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
it is a myeloma made up of either solitary, multiple solitary or extramedullary plasmacytomas
what is multiple myeloma
neoplastic proliferation of bone marrow plasma cells
what is multiple myeloma characterised by
Monoclonal protein in serum or urine
lytic bone lesions/ CRAB end organ damage
excess plasma cells in bone marrow
what is the criteria for multiple myeloma diagnosis
protein in the blood
bone marrow plasma cells in excess of 10%
CRAB - cancer renal anaemia bone
what are common chromosomal abnormalities that can cause multiple myeloma
T(11:14) - most common
13q - associated with treatment resistance and poorer prognosis
What are common presenting features of multiple myeloma
tiredness and malaise
bone/back pain and more common fractures
infections
non specific symptoms
what lab results would you expect for someone with multiple myeloma
anaemia
abnormal FBC
renal failure
hypercalcaemia
raised globulins
raised ESR
serum or urine paraprotein
what is the main cause of death in myeloma
infection
what is amyloidosis
it is a group of rare serious conditions caused by a build up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in the organs and other tissues in the body
how can clonal expansion in MGUS lead to plasma cell leukemia
MGUS - early myeloma - late myeloma - plasma cell leukemia
what can plasmacytoma at a critical site lead to
cord compression
risk of fracture
what are the response rates in malignant myeloma treatment
many will respond to the treatment but will eventually relapse
can prolong survival by keeping people in plateau rather than try to cure it
both the disease and the treatment have a morbidity
what is leukaemia
malignant proliferation of haematopoietic cells
what might the history of a patient with leukaemia be
- anaemia - fatigue or shortness of breath
- infection - tonsillitis or fever
- thrombocytopenia - bruising, bleeding, rash
what does the blood of someone with leukaemia look like
low haemoglobin, low platelets, very low neutrophils, blast cells present with auer rods
what does blast cells present with auer rods suggest ?
someone has acute myeloid leukaemia
what is the differential diagnosis for leukaemia be
- Acute leukaemia: AML, ALL, CML in blast crisis, myelofibrosis
- severe sepsis
- post operative
what blood cells type does acute myeloid leukaemia come from
myeloblasts (progenitor of basophil/eosinophil/neutrophil/monocytes)
what blood cell type does chronic myeloid leukaemia come from
basophil, neutrophil, eosinophil
what cell type does acute lymphoblastic leukaemia come from
lymphoblasts
what cell type does chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia come from
B lymphocytes
what is chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia
it is when there are too many monocytes in the blood
how do you diagnose chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia
blood tests - morphology, cytogenetics, flow cytometry, sequencing
Bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy
cytogenetics for prognosis
molecular genetics for prognosis
immunophenotyping
is chronic myeloid leukaemia slow or fast onset
slow onset
what is seen in the blood of someone with chronic myeloid leukaemia
a high white cell count
basophilia
what is a key diagnostic feature of chronic myeloid leukaemia
Philadelphia chromosome
what is the treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia
you have targeted molecular therapy - tyrosine kinase inhibitors
- Imatinib
what is the treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia
chemotherapy and supportive measures
- need to take into account patient age, fitness, comorbidities, AML features, and clinical trials that may be happening
what is the most common paediatric malignancy
acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
what is the acute presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
bone marrow failure
organ infiltration
how do you treat ALL
CNS directed therapy
stem cell transplant
treatment phases - induction, consolidation, delayed intensification and maintenance
what is the most common type of leukaemia
chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
what is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
there is gradual accumulation of B lymphocytes
- this accumulates in blood or bone marrow
- lymph glands including the spleen can accumulate
what age group does CLL normally affect
generally in the elderly
- 20% occurs in under 55s
what is the clinical course of CLL
it is variable - can get progressive lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly. You can get autoimmune issues with haemolysis and ITP, and you can get bone marrow failure due to the marrow replacement
how do you treat CLL
you can do nothing
chemotherapy
monoclonal antibodies
targeted therapy
bone marrow transplant
what is the action of chemotherapy
it damages highly proliferative cells (preferentially)
why is dosing important with chemotherapy
as it needs to be a balance between
1. Destroying leukemic cells
2. not causing irreversible toxicity to other normal cells