Leukaemia Flashcards
What is Leukaemia?
Malignant neoplastic process involving one of the white cell lines (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes) in the bone marrow
How can Leukaemia be classified?
Depending on the cell line that is affected it could be classified into myeloid (neutrophils) or lymphocytic (lymphocytes) leukaemia’s.
Are chronic or acute Leukaemias more common in children and young adults?
- Acute
How do acute leukaemia’s cause anaemia and thrombocytopenia?
Crowding in bone marrow by such immature cells renders the marrow unable to produce healthy blood cells
What does a blood film show for acute leukaemia?
Immature/blast cells
What does a blood film show for chronic leukaemia?
Mature neutrophils or lymphocytes
What are the age presentations for leukaemias?
ALL CeLLmates have CoMmon AMbitions
• <5 and >45 = Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)
• >55 = Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CeLLmates)
• >65 = Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CoMmon)
• >75 = Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AMbitions)
How do leukaemia’s present?
Marrow failure:
o Anaemia
o Infection
o Bleeding (petechiae, bruising)
Infiltration
o Lymphadenopathy
o Splenomegaly
o Hepatomegaly
Failure to thrive
When should children be immediately referred to the hospital for suspected leukaemia?
Presenting with petechiae or hepatosplenomegaly
What is ALL?
• Acute proliferation of a single type of lymphocyte, usually B-lymphocytes
What is associated with ALL?
Downs syndrome
What is CLL?
• Chronic proliferation of a well differentiated lymphocyte, usually B-lymphocytes
What can CLL cause?
Warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
What can leukaemia cause regarding the other blood cell lines?
Pancytopenia
- Low RBCS = anaemia
- WBCs = leukopenia
- Platelets = thrombocytopenia)
What can cause AML?
Myeloproliferative disorders such as:
- Polycythaemia ruba vera
- Myelofibrosis
