Leukaemia Flashcards
What is leukaemia
Cancer of the wbcs
What are the four main types of leukaemia
- acute myeloid AML
- acute lymphoblastic ALL
- chronic myeloid CML
- chronic lymphoid CLL
What is a lymphoma
Cancer of lymphoid tissues
What are the two types of lymphoma
- hodgkins
- non hodgkins
What is myeloma
Cancer of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow ( b cells)
What mutations cause cancer
Mutation of the proto- oncogenes (faster development) and mutation of tumour suppressor genes
What is incidence
The rate of new cases in a given time
What is prevalence
Number of people with the condition
What are some known causes of leukaemia
- previous chemotherapy
- radiation
- benzene or formaldehyde exposure
- genetic conditions such as downs
- myelodysplasia - abonormal development of myeloid cells
What are symptoms/ signs of AML
- acute illness
- fever, sweats
- anaemia symptoms
- neutropenia- infections
- thrombocytopenia- bleeding
How can a blood test show AML
- over production of myeloid blast cells resulting in over crowding in bone marrow which leads to:
- abnormal wbc count
- anaemia
- thrombocytopenia
- blasts in peripheral blood film
- wbcs are MPO positive
What is the prognosis of AML
Complete remission - 80-90%
Cure rates - 45%
In older patients there is 5 year survival rates
What causes ALL
Uncontrolled proliferation of lymphoid stem cell resulting in large numbers of abnormal lymphoblasts in the bone marrow
What are signs and symptoms of ALL
- starts abruptly
- bone and joint pain
- symptoms of bone marrow failure
- ## enlarged lymph nodes
How can a blood test show ALL
- over production of lymphoid blast cells
- anaemia
- WBCS are MPO negative
What is the prognosis for ALL
Majority of children are curable, cure in adults is less frequent