Hematology & Oncology

Question 1

how can you tell B12 deficiency from folate deficiency

Answer 1

B12 Deficiency = ↑ MMA, + Neurologic Symptoms

(both have↑ Homocysteine)

Question 2

Causes of microcytic anemia

(TAILS)

Answer 2

• Thalassemia
• Anemia of Chronic Disease
• Iron deficiency
• Lead poisoning
• Sideroblastic Anemia

Question 3

How can you differentiate between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Anemia of chronic disease?

Answer 3

• Iron deficiency = Low ferritin, high TIBC
• Chronic Disease = High ferritin, low TIBC.

(remember: microcytic anemia causes are TAILS)

Question 4

How can you differentiate between hemolytic and non-hemolytic anemia

(normocytic)

Answer 4

Hemolysis = ↑ Reticulocyte Count + ↑ LDH + ↓ Haptoglobin + ↑ Indirect Bilirubin

(can be caused by sickle cell, G6PD deficiency, AIHA)

Question 5

causes of normocytic anemia

(both hemolytic and non-hemolytic)

Answer 5

hemolytic: SS, G6PD deficiency, AIHA
non-hemolytic: CKD, aplastic anemia

Question 6

What age do breast, cervical and colon cancer screenings end, respectively?

Answer 6

breast cancer screening ends at 75 y/o
cervical cancer screening ends at 65 y/o
colon cancer screening ends at 75 y/o

(lung cancer screening for smokers ends at 80 y/o)

Question 7

What age do cancer screenings start for breast, cervical, colon, lung and prostate cancer?

Answer 7

breast at 40 y/o q. 2 years
cervical at 21 y/o q. 3 years (pap only), 5 years (pap + HPV)
colon at 45 y/o q. 10 years
lung at 50 annually if high risk (30 pack-year, quit < 15 yrs ago)
prostate at 55 (PSA + DRE) up to the patient. No standard