Leukaemia Flashcards
what is a haematological malignancy?
DNA mutation
what does the DNA mutation do?
switches off a tumour suppressor gene or switches on an oncogene
what are the characteristics of cancer cells
uncontrolled proliferation, loss of apoptosis, loss of normal functions/products
if there is an acute cancer involving lymphoid cells what is this called?
acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
if there is an acute cancer involving myeloid cells what is this called?
acute myeloid leukaemia
if there is a chronic cancer involving lymphoid cells what is this called?
chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, hodgkin lymphoma, non-hodgkin lymphoma or multiple myeloma
if there is a chronic cancer involving myeloid cells what is this called?
chronic myeloid leukaemia, myeloproliferative disorders
what do “acute” and “chronic” indicate?
clinical behaviour
what is a blast
immature cell
what is leukaemia
a group of cancers of the bone marrow which prevent normal manufacture of the blood
what does leukaemia result in?
anaemia, infection, bleeding
what is neutropenia?
infection
what is thrombocytopenia?
bleeding
what is the pathogenesis of leukaemia?
clonal proliferation, replacement of marrow, increasing marginalisation of productive normal marrow
what does the increasing marginalisation of productive normal marrow cause?
marrow failure, organ infiltration
what is the clinical presentation of leukaemia?
anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly/hepatomegaly and bone pain
what are the symptoms of anaemia?
breathlessness, tiredness, easily fatigued, chest pain/angina
what are the signs of anaemia?
pallor, signs of cardiac failure, nail changes
what does neutropenia present as?
infections associated with portals of entry, reactivation of latent infections
what are the symptoms of neutropenia?
recurrent infection, unusual severity of infection
what are the signs of neutropenia?
unusual patterns of infection and rapid spread, will respond to treatment but recur, signs of systemic involvement (fever/rigors)
what are the symptoms of bleeding?
bruised easily, minor cuts fail to clot, gingival bleeding or nose bleeds, menorrhagia
what are the signs of bleeding?
bruising, petechiae, BOP, bleeding/bruising
when does acute lymphoblastic leukaemia normally occur?
4 years old but can occur in adults
