Leukemia Flashcards
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is cancer of the stem cells of the hematopoietic system, most commonly affecting white blood cells.
Can leukemia affect other blood cell types?
Yes, cancer of the stem cells or other blood cell types is possible.
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is a malignant disease of the bone marrow and blood.
Where does leukemia start?
Leukemia starts in blood-forming tissues such as the bone marrow.
What does bone marrow produce?
Bone marrow makes cells that develop into white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
What is the function of white blood cells?
White blood cells help your body fight infection.
What is the function of red blood cells?
Red blood cells deliver oxygen from your lungs to your tissues and organs.
What is the function of platelets?
Platelets help form clots to stop bleeding.
What characterizes leukemia?
It is characterized by the uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells.
What are hemocytobiasts?
Hemocytobiasts are immature blood cells involved in the formation of blood.
What are the types of blood cells?
Types of blood cells include white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
What is the difference between acute and chronic leukemia?
Acute leukemia develops quickly, while chronic leukemia progresses slowly.
What is the main difference between acute and chronic leukemia?
Acute leukemia has immature cells that grow quickly and worsen rapidly if untreated, while chronic leukemia has mature cells that grow slowly and worsen over a longer period of time.
What characterizes acute leukemia?
In acute leukemia, the bone marrow cells are unable to mature properly.
Fast growing and usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated.
What characterizes chronic leukemia?
In chronic leukemia, the cells can mature but not completely.
Slow growing and usually gets worse over a longer period of time.
What are the two classifications of leukemia?
Leukemias are classified as acute or chronic and based on whether they derive from myeloid or lymphoid cells.
What defines myeloid leukemia?
Myeloid leukemia involves granulocytes or monocytes.
Also known as myelocytic or myelogenous leukemia.
What defines lymphocytic leukemia?
Lymphocytic leukemia develops from bone marrow lymphocytes.
Also known as lymphoblastic leukemia.
What is Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)?
Most common type of cancer in children but it can also affect adults.
What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?
More common in older adults but can also affect children.
What is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?
One of the most common types of leukemia in adults and often occurs during or after middle age.
What is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)?
Usually occurs in adults during or after middle age.
What are the types of leukemia?
Acute or Chronic.
Lymphocytic or Myelogenous.
Acute: ALL, AML; Chronic: CLL, CML.
Blood cancers can _______ or ________ blood counts.
Lower or raise
What is the first step in diagnosing leukemia?
The doctor will check samples of cells from the patient’s blood and bone marrow.
What does genetic immunophenotyping include?
It includes morphologic evaluation, special stains, electron microscopic examination, and surface marker studies.
What is necessary for a definitive diagnosis of leukemia?
A bone marrow biopsy is necessary for definitive diagnosis.
What is a bone marrow biopsy?
A biopsy test collects a small amount of bone marrow tissue through a larger needle.
What factors influence leukemia treatment options?
Treatment depends on type, severity, age, overall health, and other factors.
What is the treatment of choice for leukemia?
Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice.
What are some treatment options for leukemia?
Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy with bone marrow stem cell transplantation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
What is targeted therapy?
Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells.
What requires a bone marrow donor? (Best match is siblings)
Allogenic transplant
What uses the patient’s own stem cells for reinfusion in leukemia patients?
Autologous transplants
What is TBI in the context of leukemia treatment?
TBI stands for Total Body Irradiation, given in combination with high dose chemotherapy to patients that will receive stem cell transplant.
What is the purpose of prophylactic radiation in leukemia treatment?
Prophylactic radiation is used to target ‘sanctuary sites’ where chemotherapy may not reach.
What does total CNS treatment for recurrence involve?
Total CNS treatments for recurrence deliver radiation to the entire craniospinal axis using 2 lateral brain fields and a spine field.
