Leukaemia

Question 0

Which drug can be used to achieve cytogenetic remission in chronic myeloid leukaemia?

Answer 0

Imatinib

Question 1

What is the characteristic feature of chronic myeloid leukaemia?

Answer 1

Philadelphia chromosome

Reciprocal translocation between chromosome 9 & 22
Codes for activated tyrosine kinase that causes unregulated blood cell proliferation

Question 2

Which leukaemia is most common in childhood?

Answer 2

ALL

Question 3

What are the risk factors for leukaemia?

Answer 3

Radiation exposure (including therapeutic chemo <– therapy-related leukaemia)
Genetic factors
Viral infections

Question 4

How are acute Leukaemias diagnosed?

Answer 4

On blood film and bone marrow examination.

Marrow = hypercellular and infiltrated with blasts

Question 5

What is the pathognomic feature of AML on biopsy?

Answer 5

Auer rods

Rod-shaped cytoplasmic bodies

Question 6

What is an additional consideration in the induction and maintenance of remission in ALL?

Answer 6

Extra-medullary ‘sanctuary’ sites eg brain, spinal cord and tested can harbor malignant cells so local treatment can be given to these sites

Question 7

What is the long-term treatment regimen in ALL?

Answer 7

Low dose maintenance chemo for 2-3 years

Question 8

How does the management of AML differ from that of ALL?

Answer 8

In AML there are several further courses of very intensive chemo of much shorter time period in order to prevent relapse