Wk1Pathophysiology: Immune System Function & Disease Impact Flashcards
What is the role of the immune system?
The immune system protects the body against infection, abnormal cells and foreign substances in innate and adaptive immunity.
What is the role of innate immunity
Innate immunity (first line defence)
- Neutrophils - rapid response to infections, phagocytosis
- Macrophages - Engulf pathogens, antigen presentation
Dendritic cells - link innate and adaptive immunity by presenting antigens
Natural Killer (NK) cells - Destroys virus infected / cancerous cells
What is the role of adaptive immunity?
Adaptive immunity (specific response)
- B cells - produce antibodies (humoral immunity)
- T- cells
-> Helper T - cells (CD4+) - Active immune response
Cytotoxic T - cells (CD8+) - Destroys infected cells/ cancerous cells
Regulatory T- cells - Prevents excessive immune responses
How do diseases change these cells?
Cancer (e.g leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma)
- Uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal white cells
- Impaired immune function leading to infections
- Bone marrow suppression reducing normal blood production
Autoimmune disease ( e.g lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Immune cells mistakenly attack healthy tissues
- Chronic inflammation causing organ and tissue damage
Immuno deficiency (e.g HIV/ AIDS, chemotherapy - induced neutropenia)
- Reduced or dysfunctional immune cells lead to increased infection risks
- Failure to mount effective immune responses
What are the other body structures in disease progression?
- Bone marrow- produces immune cells; affected in leukaemia and chemotherapy
- lymph nodes and spleen - filter pathogens; enlarged in infections and lymphoma
- Thymus - T-cell maturation: shrink with age, affecting immunity
Mucosal barriers - (skin, gut, respiratory tract) first line of defence, can be breached in infections and chemotherapy- related muscositis
What are the risk factors in haematology/ oncology? - Exposure and Environmental risks
Radiation - ionising radiation increases the risk of leukaemia, lymphoma and solid tumors ( Chernobyl survivors, frequent CT scans)
- Carcinogens - chemicals like benzene linked to leukaemia, pesticides and heavy metals can trigger mutations in the blood cells
Smoking & Alcohol - Increases risk to multiple myeloma , leukaemia and lymphoma
Diet & Lifestyle - Obesity is linked to higher risks of haematological malignancies due to chronic inflammation
What are the risk factors in haematology/ oncology? - Occupational Risk
- Healthcare & laboratory workers - exposure to infectious disease (e.g HIV, Hepatitis B) may contribute to blood cancer
- Chemical & industrial workers - exposure to benzene, formaldehyde and solvents linked to leukaemia and lymphoma
- Farmers & pesticides handlers - increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to long term pesticides exposure
What are the risk factors in haematology/ oncology? - Genetic risk factors
- Family history - increased risk of Leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloproliferative disorders if close relatives have Haematological malignancies
Inherited syndrome
- Li-Fraumen syndrome - higher risk of leukaemia and sarcomas
- Down syndrome - strongly associated with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
- Fanconi Anaemia and bloom syndrome - lead to bone marrow failure and leukaemia
What are the risk factors in haematology/ oncology? - Infection related risks
Viral infection
-Epstein- Barr Virus (EBV) - linked to Burkitt’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma
-Human T-cell leukaemia (HTLV-1) - causes adult T- cell leukaemia
-HIV - increases the risk of aggressive-non Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Kaposi’s sarcoma
-Hepatitis B & C - associated to liver cancer and some blood cancers.
What are the risk factors in haematology/ oncology? - Bacterial and Parasitic infections
- Helicobacter Pylori - linked to gastric Malt lymphoma
- Chronic inflammatory conditions - long term infections can drive mutations and malignancies
Signs and symptoms of Leukaemia
Leukaemia symptoms can vary depending on the type of leukaemia. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Bruising and bleeding more easily
- Unexplained weight loss
- Repeated infections
- Swollen lymph nodes (glands in the neck, armpit and groin)
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
-Fatigue
-Anaemia
-Hair loss or thinning
-Infection
-Mucositis
-Nausea or vomiting
-Infertility
-Changed to bowel habits
-Tumour lysis syndrome
-Long term health problem with thyroid, heart, lungs
Comparisons of acute and chronic leukaemia
Acute Chronic
Age - all ages. - adults
Clinical onset - sudden. - insidious
Course - < 6 months. - 2-6 years
Leukaemia cells - immature. - mature
Anaemia - mild-severe. -mild
Thrombocytopenia - mild-severe. -mild
TWBC - variable. - increase
Organomegaly- mild. - prominent
What are the side effects of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia?
Fatigue
Paleness
Shortness of breath
Easy bruising and bleeding
Frequent infections
Pain in the bones or joints
Swollen lymph nodes
Unexplained weight loss
Fever
What is leukaemia?
Leukaemia affects the bone marrow and blood, leading to the production of abnormal white blood cells
