W3: Leukaemias, Lymphomas and Myelomas Flashcards
define leukaemia
cancer of wbcs
define lymphoma
cancer of lymphoid tissue
define myeloma
cancer of clonal plasma cells in BM (B cells)
4 main types of leukaemia
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
Chronic lymphoid leukaemia (CLL)
2 types of lymphoma
Hodgkin’s
Non-Hodgkin’s
2 cell cycle abnormalities that cause cancer + where do they occur
mutations in proto-oncogenes
mutations in tumour suppressor genes
occurs in BM or peripheral lymphoid tissue
*mutation in single gene
incidence vs prevalence
i = rate of new cases in given time period/ % of pop at risk of dev
p = no. of people already w condition
known causes of leukaemia
- previous chemotherapy w alkylating agents
- radiation exposure
- benzene/ formaldehyde exposure
- genetic conditions (down’s syndrome)
- myelodysplasia (pre-leukaemia)
dysplasia vs myelodysplasia
d = abnormal dev
md = abnormal dev of myeloid cells (pre-leukaemia)
define acute myeloid leukaemia
> 20% myeloblast cells (immature wbcs) in blood/ BM
affects myeloid line (granulocytes + monocytes)
define acute lymphoid leukaemia
> 20% lymphoblast cells (immature wbcs) in blood/ BM
affects lymphoid line
define chronic myeloid leukaemia
chronic = incr no. of mature cells than blast cells
affects myeloids (granulocytes + monocytes)
define chronic lymphoid leukaemia
chronic = incr no. of mature cells than blast cells
affects lymphocytes
AML: median age
60yrs
AML: signs + symptoms + why
- Acute, often critically ill
- Malaise, fever, sweats (high E use of uncontrolled prolif - hot + sweaty)
- Symptoms of anaemia (BM too crowded so no space + nutrients to make rbcs)
- Neutropenia - infections
- Thrombocytopenia - bleeding / DIC
what type of anaemia can be seen in AML + why
normocytic normochromic bc nothing wrong w prod of rbcs just not enough space to make them
testing to distinguish btwn myeloid leuk vs lymphoid leuk
m = myeloperoxidase (MPO) pos (enzyme found in granulocytes)
prognosis of AML
chemo leads to complete remission in 80-90% younger patients
cure rate lower ~45%
older patients - 5yr survival rate ~15%
cure rate rare
define “in remission”
cancer repressed to <5% blast cells
chemotherapy side effects
chemo = cytotoxic drugs = toxic to all rapidly dividing cells (healthy or not)
side effects:
- hair loss (bc hair follicles divide fast)
- nausea + vomiting (bc mucus mem gut lining cant divide)
- decr in sperm prod -> infertility