Leukaemia Flashcards
For which is there better treatment available? Chronic myeloid leukaemia or chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia
Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia
How do Hairy cell leukaemic cells appear?
They possess hair cell projections from their cells
What does imatinib target?
BCR-ABL - a fusion gene that drives the leukaemic process
What are Auer rods?
Clumps of azurophilic granular material that form elongated needles seen in the cytoplasm of leukaemic blasts
When is radiotherapy used for leukaemia treatment?
To ablate tumour masses
The myeloblast is a progenitor for which leukocytes?
Eosinophils
Basophils
In which type of leukaemia are Auer rods found?
Acute
Which has a better survival rate, acute or chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Chronic
The L-blast is the progenitor for which leukocyte?
Lymphocytes
What is the most common mechanism of causing the mutations that lead to leukaemia?
Chromosomal translocation
The myelocyte is a progenitor for which leukocyte?
Neutrophil
What is the consequence of accumulation of immature blasts?
Block capillaries to block oxygenation
What don’t you necessarily treat chronic leukaemia patient if the disease it at an early stage?
Because the treatments are very toxic
What are some common symptoms of leukaemia?
Lymphenopathy
Fatigue, loss of appetite
Weight loss, fever, frequent infection
SOB
Weakness
Splenomegaly
Purplish patches or spots
Easy bleeding and bruising
What are smear cells? What are they pathonemonic of?
Smear of cells damaged in
Characteristic of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
What are the cells of the erythropoiesis pathway?
Proerythroblast > Early erythroblast > Intermediate erythroblast > Late erythroblast > Polychromatic erythrocyte > Mature erythrocyte
How do acute leukaemic cells appear?
Abnormal looking blasts
Sometimes with Auer rods and granules
What cells are presence in a smear from a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Mature WBCs
Increased neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils
What type of transplants are used for treatment of leukaemia?
Autologous haemapoietic stem cells
Allogenic if autologous fail or there isn’t enough time
What are the main predisposing factor for acute leukaemia?
The are mostly unknown but:
Environmental factor eg radiation benzene
Acquired diseases eg clonal myeloid diseases
Inherited conditions eg Down’s
