Leukemias Flashcards
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
True or False: Leukemia primarily affects red blood cells.
False: Leukemia primarily affects white blood cells.
What are the two main categories of leukemia?
Acute and chronic leukemia.
Fill in the blank: Acute __________ leukemia progresses rapidly and requires immediate treatment.
myeloid
What type of cells do lymphocytic leukemias affect?
They affect lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
Name one common symptom of leukemia.
Fatigue, frequent infections, or easy bruising.
What is the primary method used to diagnose leukemia?
Blood tests and bone marrow biopsies.
True or False: Chronic leukemia develops more quickly than acute leukemia.
False: Chronic leukemia develops more slowly than acute leukemia.
Which type of leukemia is most common in children?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
What is the role of stem cells in leukemia?
Leukemia originates from abnormal blood stem cells in the bone marrow.
Fill in the blank: __________ leukemia is characterized by the overproduction of immature white blood cells.
Acute
What are some risk factors associated with leukemia?
Genetic disorders, exposure to radiation, and certain chemicals.
What does the term ‘remission’ mean in the context of leukemia?
A state where the signs and symptoms of leukemia are reduced or absent.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of leukemia? A) AML B) CLL C) HCL D) MCL
D) MCL
What is the typical treatment for acute leukemia?
Chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy or stem cell transplant.
True or False: Leukemia can be cured in all cases.
False: Not all cases of leukemia can be cured.
What is the function of white blood cells?
To help the body fight infections and diseases.
Fill in the blank: __________ is a type of leukemia that affects older adults and progresses slowly.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
What is the significance of the Philadelphia chromosome in leukemia?
It is a genetic abnormality associated with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
Name one potential side effect of leukemia treatment.
Nausea, hair loss, or increased risk of infections.
What is the survival rate for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
Approximately 90% with current treatments.
True or False: All leukemias are treated the same way.
False: Treatment varies depending on the type and stage of leukemia.
What is the purpose of a bone marrow biopsy?
To examine the bone marrow for the presence of abnormal cells.
Fill in the blank: __________ is often used in combination with chemotherapy to treat leukemia.
Targeted therapy
What is myelodysplastic syndrome?
A group of disorders caused by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells, which can lead to leukemia.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a common treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)? A) Radiation B) Targeted therapy C) Surgery D) Immunotherapy
B) Targeted therapy
What is the main goal of leukemia treatment?
To eliminate cancerous cells and restore normal blood cell production.
True or False: Genetic testing can help determine the best treatment for leukemia.
True.
What are leukemic blasts?
Immature white blood cells that proliferate in leukemia.
Fill in the blank: __________ is a common diagnostic test that assesses the blood cell count and overall health.
Complete blood count (CBC)
What is the function of chemotherapy in leukemia treatment?
To kill cancer cells or stop their growth.
Multiple Choice: Which leukemia is characterized by the presence of the BCR-ABL gene fusion? A) ALL B) CML C) AML D) CLL
B) CML
What is the prognosis for adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)?
It varies widely; overall survival rates are lower than for children.
True or False: Leukemia can only occur in adults.
False: Leukemia can occur in both children and adults.
What is the significance of monitoring blood counts during leukemia treatment?
To assess the effectiveness of treatment and detect any complications.
Fill in the blank: __________ is a treatment approach that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
Immunotherapy
What role do platelets play in the blood?
They help with blood clotting.
What is the main difference between acute and chronic leukemia?
Acute leukemia is characterized by the rapid increase of immature cells, while chronic leukemia involves more mature cells that grow slowly.
True or False: Radiation therapy is commonly used as the first treatment for leukemia.
False: Chemotherapy is typically the first-line treatment.
What is the purpose of a lumbar puncture in leukemia patients?
To check for leukemia cells in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Fill in the blank: __________ is a blood disorder that can increase the risk of developing leukemia.
Aplastic anemia
What is the role of supportive care in leukemia treatment?
To manage symptoms and side effects of treatment.
What are some common complications of leukemia?
Infections, bleeding, and anemia.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of leukemia? A) Weight gain B) Night sweats C) Increased appetite D) Skin rash
B) Night sweats
What is the importance of follow-up care after leukemia treatment?
To monitor for recurrence and manage long-term effects.
True or False: All patients with leukemia will require a stem cell transplant.
False: Not all patients require a stem cell transplant.
What does FAB stand for in the context of ALL classification?
French-American-British
What is the primary purpose of the FAB classification?
To categorize different types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) based on morphological and cytochemical features.
True or False: FAB classification includes both acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
False
What is the main characteristic of L1 type ALL?
Small, homogenous lymphoblasts with scant cytoplasm.
Fill in the blank: The L2 type of ALL typically has ______ lymphoblasts.
larger and more heterogeneous
Which FAB classification type is associated with a more favorable prognosis?
L1 type ALL
What morphological feature distinguishes L3 type ALL?
Large, pleomorphic lymphoblasts with prominent nucleoli.
True or False: L3 type ALL is often associated with Burkitt lymphoma.
True
What cytochemical stain is commonly used to identify ALL?
Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain
Which FAB subtype of ALL is characterized by the presence of immature T-cell markers?
L1 and L2 types can both have T-cell markers, but L1 is more common for B-cell ALL.
Multiple Choice: Which FAB classification type is least common in adults? A) L1 B) L2 C) L3 D) None of the above
C) L3
What is the significance of immunophenotyping in ALL classification?
It helps to determine the lineage of the leukemia cells (B-cell or T-cell) for better treatment strategies.
Fill in the blank: The FAB classification primarily focuses on ______ features of leukemic cells.
morphological and cytochemical
True or False: The FAB classification system is still the only system used for ALL diagnosis today.
False
What are the three main FAB subtypes of ALL?
L1, L2, and L3
Which FAB subtype of ALL is often characterized by a high white blood cell count?
L2 type ALL
What is a common clinical feature of patients with L3 type ALL?
Presence of lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly.
Multiple Choice: Which FAB type is characterized by a more aggressive clinical course? A) L1 B) L2 C) L3
C) L3
What kind of leukemia does the FAB classification specifically address?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
True or False: FAB classification is only based on the genetic features of ALL.
False
What is the role of cytogenetics in the context of ALL classification?
It helps to identify specific genetic abnormalities that can influence prognosis and treatment.
Fill in the blank: The L2 type of ALL often presents with ______ lymphoblasts.
mixed size
What is the clinical relevance of distinguishing between B-cell and T-cell ALL?
It determines the treatment approach and prognosis.
True or False: FAB classification is outdated and has been completely replaced by molecular classification systems.
False
What is the primary limitation of the FAB classification system?
It does not incorporate genetic and molecular data.
What does FAB stand for in the context of acute myeloid leukemia?
French-American-British classification
True or False: Acute myeloid leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
False
What is the primary characteristic of acute myeloid leukemia?
Rapid proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells.
Fill in the blank: The FAB classification system divides acute myeloid leukemia into ___ subtypes.
8
Which subtype of acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by the presence of Auer rods?
Acute myeloid leukemia M2
What is the main difference between acute and chronic leukemia?
Acute leukemia has a rapid onset and progression, while chronic leukemia develops more slowly.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia according to the FAB classification? A) M0 B) M3 C) M5 D) M9
D) M9
What is the typical age range for the onset of acute myeloid leukemia?
Most common in adults, especially over 60 years old.
True or False: Acute myeloid leukemia can be classified based on the type of cell affected.
True
What is the primary treatment approach for acute myeloid leukemia?
Chemotherapy
Fill in the blank: The FAB classification includes the subtypes M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, and ___ .
M0
What subtype of acute myeloid leukemia is associated with promyelocytic leukemia?
Acute myeloid leukemia M3
Short Answer: Name one common symptom of acute myeloid leukemia.
Fatigue
Multiple Choice: Which subtype of acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by megakaryoblastic features? A) M1 B) M2 C) M7 D) M5
C) M7
What laboratory test is commonly used to diagnose acute myeloid leukemia?
Bone marrow biopsy
True or False: Acute myeloid leukemia can be caused by genetic mutations.
True
Fill in the blank: The prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia is generally considered ___ compared to other leukemias.
poor
What is the significance of Auer rods in acute myeloid leukemia?
They are indicative of myeloid lineage.
Multiple Choice: Which treatment is often used for acute promyelocytic leukemia (M3 subtype)? A) All-trans retinoic acid B) Radiation C) Surgery D) Immunotherapy
A) All-trans retinoic acid
Short Answer: What is a common complication of acute myeloid leukemia?
Infection
What is the role of cytogenetic analysis in acute myeloid leukemia?
To identify specific genetic abnormalities that can influence treatment and prognosis.
True or False: Acute myeloid leukemia is more common in children than in adults.
False
Fill in the blank: The FAB classification system was introduced in the ___ decade.
1970s
What are the common risk factors for developing acute myeloid leukemia?
Age, exposure to radiation, and certain chemicals.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a typical laboratory finding in acute myeloid leukemia? A) Increased hemoglobin B) Thrombocytopenia C) Decreased white blood cells D) Normal bone marrow
B) Thrombocytopenia
What is the primary goal of treatment for acute myeloid leukemia?
Achieve remission.
Short Answer: How is acute myeloid leukemia generally classified?
Based on the morphology and genetic characteristics of the leukemic cells.
True or False: Complete blood count is a useful test in diagnosing acute myeloid leukemia.
True
Fill in the blank: The M4 subtype of acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by ___ and myelomonocytic features.
monocytic
What does the presence of undifferentiated blasts in the bone marrow indicate?
Acute myeloid leukemia
Multiple Choice: Which subtype of acute myeloid leukemia typically has a better response to treatment? A) M0 B) M3 C) M6 D) M5
B) M3
What is a leukemoid reaction?
A leukemoid reaction is an extreme increase in white blood cell count that mimics leukemia.
True or False: A leukemoid reaction is a type of cancer.
False
Fill in the blank: The leukemoid reaction is characterized by a white blood cell count greater than ________ cells per microliter.
50,000
What are common causes of a leukemoid reaction?
Infections, inflammation, and certain medications can cause a leukemoid reaction.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a leukemoid reaction? A) Elevated white blood cell count B) Presence of immature white blood cells C) Normal bone marrow function D) Presence of cancerous cells
D) Presence of cancerous cells
What is Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL)?
Hairy Cell Leukemia is a rare type of blood cancer that affects B lymphocytes, characterized by the presence of abnormal hairy cells in the bone marrow and blood.
True or False: Hairy Cell Leukemia is classified as a type of acute leukemia.
False
Fill in the blank: Hairy Cell Leukemia is primarily treated with __________.
chemotherapy
Which of the following is a common symptom of Hairy Cell Leukemia? a) Fatigue b) Sudden weight gain c) Joint pain
a) Fatigue
What is the typical age range for the diagnosis of Hairy Cell Leukemia?
Hairy Cell Leukemia is most commonly diagnosed in adults aged 40 to 60 years.
What is Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia?
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system and involves the overproduction of IgM antibodies by abnormal B cells.
True or False: Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is classified as a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
True
What type of immunoglobulin is primarily produced in Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia?
IgM
Fill in the blank: Symptoms of Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia can include fatigue, __________, and vision problems.
bleeding
Which diagnostic test is commonly used to confirm Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia?
Serum protein electrophoresis
What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that forms in plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies.
True or False: Multiple myeloma primarily affects red blood cells.
False
Fill in the blank: The abnormal plasma cells in multiple myeloma produce a large amount of __________.
monoclonal antibodies
Which of the following is a common symptom of multiple myeloma: A) Bone pain B) Skin rash C) Frequent headaches?
A) Bone pain
What are two common complications associated with multiple myeloma?
Kidney damage and bone fractures.
