Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Haematology > Leukaemia > Flashcards

Leukaemia Flashcards

1
Q

How are leukaemias classified?

A 
Based on lineage:
- myeloid
- lymphoid
Based on developmental stage:
- acute blastic (blast cells)
- chronic cytic (differentiated cells)
Based on anatomical site:
- blood --> leaukaemia
- lymph node with lymphoid malignancy --> lymphoma
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a clone?

A

Population of cells derived from a single parent cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How do clones differ in normal haematopoesis and malignant haematopoesis?

A

Normal haematopoesis = polyclonal

Malignant = monoclonal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the four different types of leukaemia?

A 
Acute lymphoblastic (ALL)
Acute myeloid (AML)
Chronic lymphocytic (CLL)
Chronic myeloid (CML)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How are acute leukaemias defined?

A

Rapidly progressive clonal malignancy of the marrow/blood with maturation defects
–> excess of blasts (>20%) in either peripheral blood or bone marrow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which leukaemia is most common in childhood?

A

ALL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the differences in pathology and epidemiology of ALL and AML?

A

ALL:

  • proliferation of lymphocyte progenitors
  • most common in children

AML:

  • proliferation of granulocyte progenitors
  • most common in elderly (>60)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which clinical features are common to both acute leukaemias?

A 
Pancytopenia (anaemia, infection, bleeding)
Bone pain
Organ infiltration:
- hepatosplenomegaly
- lymphadenopathy
- gum hypertrophy
- skin nodules
- mediastinal mass (enlarged thymus)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which additional features may be seen in ALL?

A

CNS: CN palsy, papilloedema, meningism
Testes: unilateral swelling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What would be seen on blood film in acute laeukaemia

A

Raised blasts with high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio

  • lymphoblasts in ALL
  • myeloblasts containing Auer rods in AML
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How is acute leukaemia diagnosed?

A

Bone marrow biopsy/aspirate:

  • blast cells > 20% confirms diagnosis
  • immunophenotyping to identify lineage subtype
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the management for acute leukaemia?

A

Multi-agent chemotherapy:

  • 6-8 months in AML
  • up to 3 years in ALL
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the complications of chemotherapy?

A

Marrow suppression (anaemia, neutropenia, bleeding)
Nausea + vomiting
Hair loss
Liver, renal dysfunction (check LFTs + U&Es first)
Tumour lysis syndrome
Infertility esp. males (sperm bank before)
Cardiomyopathy/HF

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why is neutropenia concerning in patients on chemotherapy?

A

Neutropenic sepsis

–> esp gram -ve bacterial or fungal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the most common leukaemia in adults?

A

CLL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What causes CLL?

A

Proliferation of mature B cells

17
Q

How does CLL differ from lymphoma?

A

Accumulation of B cells in CLL is mainly in the blood and bone marrow
In lymphoma, mainly in lymph nodes

18
Q

What are the clinical features of CLL?

A

90% asymptomatic at presentation (incidental finding of raised WBCs)
Lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly
Symptomatic disease:
- pancytopenia from marrow infiltration
- weight loss, sweats, anorexia
- recurrent infections due to dysfunctional lymphocytes causing low Ig

19
Q

What would be seen on FBC in CLL?

A

Raised WBC with lymphocytes > 5000
Low platelets
Anaemia (due to marrow failure or DAT+ve haemolytic anaemia)

20
Q

What would be seen on blood film in CLL?

A

Lymphocytosis

Smudge cells

21
Q

How is CLL staged?

A 
Binet system (A-C)
- based on WBC, Hb + clinical findings
22
Q

What is the management for asymptomatic CLL?

A

Watchful waiting:

- 3 monthly FBC, flow cytometry + examination

23
Q

What is the management for symptomatic CLL?

A

Chemotherapy

24
Q

What are some of the complications of CLL?

A

Recurrent infections (due to treatment or disease)
Richter transformation to high grade Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
Hyperviscosity syndrome

25
Q

Which cells are involved in CML?

A

Clonal proliferation of myeloid stem cells which differentiate into granulocytes

26
Q

Which mutation is involved in 98% of CML cases?

A

Philadelphia chromosome encoding p210 tyrosine kinase

27
Q

What are the clinical features of CML?

A

Often asymptomatic
Tired, malaise, fever, weight loss, night sweats
Splenomegaly –> LUQ discomfort/early satiety
Features of cytopenia
Gout/arthralgia (raised urate)

28
Q

What would be seen on FBC and blood film in CML?

A

Very high WBCs, can be > 100
Anaemia
Film: raised granulocytes esp. neutrophils

29
Q

How is CML diagnosed?

A

Bone marrow biopsy: granulocytic hyperplasia

Cytogenetics (blood or marrow) and FISH for Philadelphia chromosome

30
Q

What is the management for CML?

A

Imatinab –> inhibits p210 tyrosine kinase and induces long term remission

31
Q

What are the side effects of imatinab?

A

Cramps
Oedema
Rash
Diarrhoea

Haematology (15 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions