Pathology of Leukemias

Question 1

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia may transform to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. What is this transformation called?

Answer 1

Richter transformation

Question 2

What symptoms are associated with essential thrombocythemia?

Answer 2

Thrombosis, hemorrhage, erythromelalgia (throbbing and burning of the hands and feet)

Question 3

This marker is present on all leukocytes.

Answer 3

CD45

Question 4

What are the T cell leukemias?

Answer 4

Adult T-cell leukemia & Sezary syndrome

Question 5

The number of what cells is increased in essential thrmobocythemia?

Answer 5

Platelets and megakaryocytes

Question 6

A child is being assessed for leukemia. Peripheral blood smear indicates abnormal lymphocytes without Auer rods and low cell counts. Immunoprofile reveals the cells are TdT+. What is the likely diagnosis?

Answer 6

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Question 7

What markers are present on cells of chronic lymphocytic leukemia?

Answer 7

CD20, CD23, CD5 (usually on T cells only)

Question 8

Cells of this leukemia have a “cerebriform” appearance.

Answer 8

Sezary syndrome

Question 9

T lymphocytes can be differentiated by the presence of CD4 or CD8 markers. What marker is present on both types of T lymphocytes?

Answer 9

CD3

Question 10

Polycythemia vera is characterized by polycythemia due to a JAK2 kinase mutation. What symptoms may present?

Answer 10

Cyanosis, pruritus, gout, bleeding and thrombosis due to abnormal blood flow and platelet function

Question 11

What histological finding is characteristic of chronic lymphocytic leukemia?

Answer 11

Smudge Cells

Question 12

What is the most common cancer of children?

Answer 12

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Question 13

Auer rods are associated with what type of leukemia?

Answer 13

Acute myeloid leukemia

Question 14

What are the chronic B cell leukemias?

Answer 14

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia & Hairy cell leukemia

Question 15

Adult T-cell leukemia is found only in adults that have been infected by what virus?

Answer 15

HTLV-1 (Human T-Lymphotrophic Virus Type 1)

Question 16

Acute promyelocytic leukemia is associated with translocation involving chromosomes 15 & 17. With what bleeding disorder do these patients commonly present?

Answer 16

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Question 17

Cells of this leukemia have a “cloverleaf” or “flower” appearance.

Answer 17

Adult T-cell leukemia

Question 18

What genetic mutation is associated with hairy cell leukemia?

Answer 18

BRAF V600E mutation

Question 19

This disorder causes fibrosis of bone marrow and production of teardrop-shaped cells.

Answer 19

Primary myelofibrosis

Question 20

What cytochemical stain can be used for acute myeloid leukemia?

Answer 20

Myeloperoxidase (MPO)

Question 21

What special stain can be used for hairy cell leukemia?

Answer 21

TRAP (tartrate resistant acid phosphatase)

Question 22

What are the major myeloid markers?

Answer 22

CD13, CD15, CD33, CD117

Question 23

Cells of this leukemia have a fried egg appearance in bone marrow and other tissues.

Answer 23

Hairy cell leukemia

Question 24

What marker is present on all blast cells (myeloblasts, lymphoblasts)?

Answer 24

CD34

Question 25

CD20 is a marker for what cell?

Answer 25

B Lymphocyte

Question 26

What is leukostasis?

Answer 26

A complication of some leukemias that causes hyperviscous blood and clot formation

Question 27

What are Auer rods?

Answer 27

Crystalline cytoplasmic inclusions found in blasts of acute myeloid leukemia

Question 28

What is the Philadelphia chromosome?

Answer 28

A translocation of chromosomes 9 & 22 associated with chronic myeloid leukemia

Question 29

What are the three phases of chronic myeloid leukemia?

Answer 29

Chronic phase, accelerated phase, blast crisis (may progress to acute myeloid leukemia)