Leukemias Flashcards
Leukemia
Cancer of the WBC's Acute or chronic cell growth Affects ability to produce normal cells BM makes large amounts of immature cells "crowd out" anemia, bleeding, infxn
Which blood-forming tissues does leukemia affect?
Bone Marrow
Lymph
Spleen
Myelogenous Leukemia
Characterized by proliferation of myeloid tissue (as of bone marrow and spleen)
Abnormal increase in the number of granulocytes, myelocytes and myeloblasts in circulating blood
Lymphocytic leukemias
Characterized by immature lymphocytes and their progenitors that originate in the BM, but infiltrate the spleen, lymph, CNS and other tissues.
AML
Primarily affects older people
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Suppresses normal blood cell production
ALM risk factors
Age (over 60) Benzene exposure Radiation Tobacco (20% linkage) Genetic disorders (Down syndrome) Past chemo/meds/cancers
AML stats
12,000 new cases each year
50% mortality
65 yo 5 yr survival = 4%
20 - 30% experience remission and cure
AML Symptoms
Fatigue, SOB, Fever, Weight loss
Easy bruising, bleeding, recurrent infxns
Symptoms usually present for 3 or more months before dx is made.
AML signs
FUO > 3 wks Multiple bruises GI, gingival bleed Splenomegaly Sternal tenderness
AML lab findings
Anemia (normochromic, normocytic)
Leukocytosis (around 150,000)
Thrombocytopenia <100,000
AML morphology
> 20% myeloblasts in blood/marrow
Auer rods (cytoplasmic granules)
Hypercellular bone marrow
AML tx
Chemotherapy (induction, intensification, maintainence)
Bone marrow transplant
Transfusions (for platelets <8)
Empirical Abx for fever
Allopurinol for increased uric acid levels
ALL
Acute Lymphoid Leukemia
Clonal proliferation and accumulation of blast cells in blood, marrow and other organs.
Originates in B or T cell progenitor
20% of acute leukemias
ALL stats
3,000 new cases per year in children
Mostly affects children (peak 4 yrs)
May be B, T cell or null (neither)
ALL Symptoms
Fever, fatigue, SOB, weight loss/fatigue
Bleeding, bruising, petechiae
Bone Pain
ALL signs
Fever Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly Lymphadenopathy Multiple bruises, petichiae Unexplained infxns CN palsies, HA, N/V, papilledema
ALL lab findings
Anemia (normochromic, normocytic)
WBC < 5000, or > 25,000
Thrombocytopenia
Blast cells
in ALL, is B or T cell lineage more common?
B cell lineage (85%)