Leukaemia Flashcards
What is leukaemia?
Leukaemia is a form of cancer of the cells in the bone marrow. Due to a genetic mutation. This leads to generation of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow. The overproduction of single type of cell cause suppression and underproduction of other cells this is called pancytopenia where there is low RBC, WBC + platlets.
What are 4 different types of leukaemia?
Anagram ALL CELLMATES COMMON AMBITION
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Presentations of leukaemia?
Fatigue
fever
failure to thrive
pallor
abnormal bleeding and bruising
Hepatosplenomegaly
How to diagnose leukaemia?
Full blood count should be done within 48 hours of patient being suspected to have leukaemia
Blood film to look at abnormal cells
LDH blood test
Bone marrow biopsy
Chest X-ray to show infections
lymph node biopsy to see if lymph is involved.
Lumber puncture to see if CNS is involved
CT/MRI scans
What is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
Most common in children
Where malignant change in B lymphocytes
Often associated with down syndrome
Blood film will show blast cells
Associated with Philadelphia chromosome
What is chronic Lymphocytic leukaemia?
It is chronic prolifferation of b - lymphocytes, happens in adults over 55
Can cause warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
CLL can transform to lymphoma called richters transformation
Blood film will show smear or smudge cells
What is chronic myeloid leukemia?
Has a lot of blast cells
What is acute myeloid leukaemia?
Most common leukaemia in adults
Blood film will show blast cells with rods in cytoplasm called Auer rods.
How t manage leukaemia?
Chemotherapy + Steroids mainly
Radiotherapy
Bone marrow transplant
Surgery
Complication of chemotherapy?
Failure
Stunned growth
infections
Neurotoxicity
Infertility
Tumour lysis syndrome
