INTRODUCTION TO LEUKEMIA Flashcards
What is a leukemia
These are proliferations of malignant leukocytes
What does the word “ critical mutation mutation renders a cell self perpetuating or clonal” means
Means a cell can live longer than it should or immortal
What is a cline
Is a cell population derived from a single progenitor(parent cell)
Which categories does the classification of leukemia based on
- Based on the type of blood cell giving rise to the clonal proliferation either lymphoid or myeloid
- Clinical course of the disease
Mention the 4 categories of leukemia
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia
What is the difference between acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia
ALL: Affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell involved in the immune system. ALL is more common in children.
AML: Affects myeloid cells, immature cells that develop into various types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. AML is more common in adults.
What are general characteristics of leukocyte neoplasms
- Most malignancies of hematopoietic system are acquired genetic diseases
- They are systemic at the initiation of the malignant process
- A single leukemia cell arising in marrow can pass into the blood stream and travel to any and all location of the body
- The bone marrow and lymphatic system access passages throughout the body
Why should treatments for leukocytes neoplasms given with curative intent are systemic type treatments
Because leukocytes malignancies are not localized but systemic at the initiation of the malignant process
Define Neutrophilia
Refers to an absolute increase in neutrophils above 8.7x10^9/L
What are the stress or reactions that relates to leukocytes quantitative abnormalities ( conditions with may be mistakenly rules out as leukemia)
- Neutrophilia
- Neutropenia
- Leukomoid reaction
- Leukoerythroblastic reaction
What causes Neutrophilia
- Strenuos exercise
- During labor
- Tachycardia (A rapid heartbeat that may be regular or irregular)
- Epinephrine or cortisol
- Surgery
- Burns
- Myocardial infarction (blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.)
What is neutropenia
Means an absolute decrease in neutrophils below 2.0x10^9/L
What causes acquired neutropenia
1.Marrow aplasia
2. Acute leukemia
3. Inflammation
Genetic causes of neutropenia
Due to mutation in ELA2, the gene coding for neutrophils elastase
Mutation in hematopoietic regulatory genes
What is leukomoid reaction
Refers to the leukocyte count above 50x10^9/L