Malignancies Flashcards
What is leukaemia
A group of blood cancers associated with an increase in white blood cells
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Malignant disease of primitive lymphoid cells (lymphoblasts)
When does acute lymphoblastic leukaemia usually present
Children 2-4 years old
What is ALL associated with
Downs syndrome
What genetic indicator is associated with ALL and CML
Philadelphia chromosome
Pathophysiology of ALL
Excessive proliferation of of lymphoblasts leading to pancytopenia
Clinical presentation of ALL
Bone pain
Anaemia
Infections
Bleeding
Blood count and film in ALL
Reduction in normal cells
Excess leukoblasts
Investigations done for acute leukaemia
FBC and film
Coagulation screen
Bone marrow aspirate
Management of acute leukaemia
Multi-agent chemotherapy
What is used for long term central venous access in ALL
Hickman line
Complications of acute leukaemia
Anaemia
Neutropenia
Thrombocytopenia
Consequences of neutropenia
Increased severity and duration of infections
Susceptible to fungal infections
Complications of chemotherapy
N+V
hair loss
Liver and renal dysfunction
Infection
Infertility
What is acute myeloid leukaemia
A malignant disease of primitive myeloid cells
When does acute myeloid leukaemia usually present
In the elderly, >60s
Characteristic presentation of acute promyelocytic leukaemia
Coagulation defect, DIC
Clinical presentation of AML
Similar to ALL, marrow failure
Blood count and film in AML
Reduction in normal cells
Excess of myeloblasts
In what type of leukaemia do we see auer rods on blood film
AML
Tumour lysis syndrome
The release of large amounts of cellular components into the blood stream leading to metabolic disturbances
What causes tumour lysis syndrome
Chemotherapy- rapid destruction of cancer cells
Chronic myeloid leukaemia
Proliferation of myeloid cells
Gene associated with CML
BCR-ABL1
What does the new gene in CML do
A tryrosine kinase which causes abnormal phosphorylation leading to haematological changes
What are the 3 phases of CML
Chronic phase
Accelerated phase
Blast phase
How long does the chronic phase of CML last
5 years
What happens in the chronic phase of CML
Excessive proliferation with maturation of the myeloid lineage
When does the accelerated phase of CML occur
When the abnormal blast cells take up a high proportion of cells in the bone marrow
How do patients present in the chronic phase of CML
Asymptomatic with a raised white cell count
How do patients present in the accelerated phase of CML
Develop anaemia, thrombocytopenia and become immunocompromised
What happens in the blast phase
Involves an even higher proportion of blast cell >30%
How do patients present in the blast phase of CML
More severe symptoms
Pancytopenia
General presentation of CML
Hepatomegaly
Hypermetabolic symptoms
Gout
Why can CML cause gout
High cell turnover rate giving a high urate
FBC of a patient with CML
Normal or decreased Hb
Increased WBC
Platelets variable
Blood film of a patient with CML
Leukocytosis with neutrophilia
Further test done specifically for CML and positive result
REDUCED leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
What would a bone marrow biopsy show in CML
Increased cellularity with increased granulocytes
Management of CML
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Give an example of a TKI
Imatinib
MOA of imatinib
Prevents the action of the BCR-ABL fusion protein
What is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
A malignant lymphoproliferative disorder of the mature B lymphoid compartment
When does CLL usually present
70s
What organs are usually involved in CLL
Lymph nodes
Spleen
Liver
Non-specific symptoms of CLL
Night sweats, fever, fatigue, weightloss
Clinical presentation of CLL
Often asymptomatic
Lymph node or spleen enlargement
Immunocompromise
FBC results in CLL
Hb normal or low
Raised WCC (may be very high)
Platelets normal or low
Blood film in CLL
Increased lymphocytes
Smudge/smear cells
How do smudge cells occur
Fragile white blood cells rupture during preparation of the blood film and leave a smudge
Bone marrow biopsy results in CLL
Heavily infiltrated with lymphocytes
Immunophenotyping in CLL
CD19/20 and CD5
Genetic testing in CLL
TP53
Indications for treatment of CLL
Weight loss of more than 10% in 6 months
Night sweats for longer than 1 month
Progressive marrow failure
What is a complication of CLL
Can transform into high grade lymphoma
What is lymphoma
Group of cancers that affect the lymphocytes inside the lymphatic system
What is the main clinical sign of lymphoma
LYMPHADENOPATHY
What causes Hodgkin lymphoma
Proliferation of lymphocytes