Haematological Malignancy

Question 1

list the differences between acute vs chronic myeloid leukaemia

Answer 1

Acute:
- leukaemia cells do not differentiate
- bone marrow failure
- rapidly fatal if untreated
- potentially curable

Chronic:
- leukaemic cells retain ability to differentiate
- proliferation without bone marrow failure
- survival for a few years historically
- long-term survival/possible cures with modern therapy

Question 2

what is the diagnosis if there is localised and painful lymphadenopathy?

Answer 2

• bacterial infection in draining site

Question 3

what are the differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy that is localised and painless?

Answer 3

• rare infection e.g. catch scratch fever, TB
• metastatic carcinoma from draining site (hard texture)
• lymphoma (rubbery texture)
• reactive, no cause identified

Question 4

what is the differential diagnosis of generalised and painful/tender lymphadenopathy?

Answer 4

Viral infection e.g. EBV, CMV, hepatitis, HIV

Question 5

what are the differential diagnosis of generalised and painless lymphadenopathy?

Answer 5

• lymphoma
• leukaemia
• connective tissue disease e.g. sarcoidosis
• reactive, no cause identified
• drugs

Question 6

lymphoma symptoms

Answer 6

• lymphadenopathy
• fever
• drenching sweats
• loss of weight
• pruritus
• fatigue