INTRODUCTION TO LEUKEMIA Flashcards

1
Q

What is a leukemia

A

These are proliferations of malignant leukocytes

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2
Q

What does the word “ critical mutation mutation renders a cell self perpetuating or clonal” means

A

Means a cell can live longer than it should or immortal

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3
Q

What is a cline

A

Is a cell population derived from a single progenitor(parent cell)

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4
Q

Which categories does the classification of leukemia based on

A
  1. Based on the type of blood cell giving rise to the clonal proliferation either lymphoid or myeloid
  2. Clinical course of the disease
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5
Q

Mention the 4 categories of leukemia

A
  1. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
  2. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
  3. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  4. Chronic myelogenous leukemia
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6
Q

What is the difference between acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia

A

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.

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7
Q

What are general characteristics of leukocyte neoplasms

A
  1. Most malignancies of hematopoietic system are acquired genetic diseases
  2. They are systemic at the initiation of the malignant process
  3. A single leukemia cell arising in marrow can pass into the blood stream and travel to any and all location of the body
  4. The bone marrow and lymphatic system access passages throughout the body
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8
Q

Why should treatments for leukocytes neoplasms given with curative intent are systemic type treatments

A

Because leukocytes malignancies are not localized but systemic at the initiation of the malignant process

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9
Q

Define Neutrophilia

A

Refers to an absolute increase in neutrophils above 8.7x10^9/L

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10
Q

What are the stress or reactions that relates to leukocytes quantitative abnormalities ( conditions with may be mistakenly rules out as leukemia)

A
  1. Neutrophilia
  2. Neutropenia
  3. Leukomoid reaction
  4. Leukoerythroblastic reaction
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11
Q

What causes Neutrophilia

A
  1. Strenuos exercise
  2. During labor
  3. Tachycardia (A rapid heartbeat that may be regular or irregular)
  4. Epinephrine or cortisol
  5. Surgery
  6. Burns
  7. Myocardial infarction (blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.)
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12
Q

What is neutropenia

A

Means an absolute decrease in neutrophils below 2.0x10^9/L

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13
Q

What causes acquired neutropenia

A

1.Marrow aplasia
2. Acute leukemia
3. Inflammation

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14
Q

Genetic causes of neutropenia

A

Due to mutation in ELA2, the gene coding for neutrophils elastase

Mutation in hematopoietic regulatory genes

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15
Q

What is leukomoid reaction

A

Refers to the leukocyte count above 50x10^9/L

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16
Q

What can leukomoid reaction be confused with

A

Can be confused with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

17
Q

What are the differences between CML and leukomoid reaction

A
  1. In Leukomoid reaction there are no abnormal platelet morphology while in CML platelets are involved, giant and hypogranular forms
  2. In CML there is presence of dyspoetic morphology e.g pseudo pelgerhuet( generic disorder where the cells fails to sediment the nucleus) while in LR reactive morphology is present but no dyspoetic morphology
  3. In LR there is increase in neutrophils and there immature forms while in CML there is increase in all granulocytes including eosinophils and basiphills
  4. In CML leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score is markedly decreased while in LR leukocyte phosphatase score is markedly increased
18
Q

What is leukoerythroblastic reaction

A

Refers to the presence of immature neutrophils and nucleated red blood cells in the same sample

19
Q

What are some of the known environmental causes of leukocyte neoplasms (leukemia)

A
  1. Radiation
  2. Organic solvents e.g benzene
  3. Certain viruses e.g epstein-barr virus
20
Q

Why is it that cancer survivors live longer but cancer may return

A

Because chemotherapy used to treat various forms of cancer can induce DNA damage in hematopoietic cells leading to hematopoietic malignancy

21
Q

What are the causes of leukocyte neoplasms

A
  1. Environmental exposure
  2. Cancer predisposition syndrome
  3. Cancer return after chemotherapy
22
Q

What are the therapy used to treat leukocyte neoplasm

A
  1. Chemotherapy
  2. Radiation therapy
  3. Supportive therapy
  4. Targeted therapy
  5. Stem cell transplantation e.g allogeneic transplantation.
23
Q

What are examples of chemicals used in chemotherapy in treatment of leukocyte neoplasms

A
  1. Alkylating agents
  2. Plant alkaloids
  3. Antitumor antibiotics
  4. Antimetabolites
24
Q

Explain target therapy

A

Study of the gene affected at what area in order to develop a treatment