25. Leukaemia Flashcards
What 4 main pillars are the causes of symptoms of leukaemia?
Marrow is replaced
Hyperviscosity
Bone pain
Lymphadenopathy
Give a benign reason for neutrophilia
Bacterial sepsis
Give a benign reason for lymphocytosis
Viral and immune response
Give a benign reason for eosinophilia
Allergy
Parasites
What is acute myeloblastic leukaemia?
Malignant transformation of a myeloid precursor
Which groups of people have the most risk of AML?
Neonates
Down syndrome
Risk increases with age
How does AML present?
Gum hypertrophy Choroma (skin deposits) Renal damage DIC Hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy possible but not typical
What causes skin deposits in AML?
Tumour lysis syndrome
What causes DIC in AML?
Blast cells produce thrombin
Which age group is at risk for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
Children
Risk decreases with age
How does acute lymphoblastic leukaemia present?
Bone pain
Lymphadenopathy
Hepatosplenomegaly
Mediastinal mass and testicular swelling in T cell
What investigations should be done for acute leukaemias?
FBC
Bone marrow aspirate and trephine
Immunophenotyping
Molecular analysis
What will be seen on an FBC in acute leukaemia?
Very high or very low WBCs and an increase in blasts
Auer rods if AML
Normocytic anaemia
Thrombocytopaenia
How will bone marrow appear in acute leukaemia?
Hypercellular
What is immunophenotyping used for?
Determine cell type using CD markers
