Haematology 2: Acute Leukaemias

Question 1

Which acute leukaemia is an emergency ?

Answer 1

APML

Question 2

What translocation causes Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML) ?

Answer 2

T(15;17) (PML-RARA)

Question 3

Which leukaemia is more common in patients with Down’s syndrome ?

Answer 3

AML

Question 4

What signs is characteristic in APML ?

Answer 4

Sudden onset Haemorrhage (bruising and bleeding)

DIC + Hyperfibrinolysis

Question 5

Which feature is characteristic of APML on microscopy ?

Answer 5

Multiple auer rods

Question 6

What does the variant of APML without auer rods look like on microscopy ?

Answer 6

Promyelocytes with Bilobed nuclei

Question 7

Which 2 stains are possitive in AML but not In ALL ?

Answer 7

Myeloperoxidase stain

Sudan black B stain

Question 8

Which anaemia causes Gum infiltration ?

Answer 8

Monocytic AML

Question 9

List 5 signs of AML ?

Answer 9

Anaemia- SOB, Pallor
Neutropenia- infections 
Thrombocytopenia- easy Bruising and bleeding, DIC
Hepatosplenomegally 
Retinal haemorrhage/exudates

Question 10

What is the most important diagnostic test for Leukaemias ?

Answer 10

Immunophenotyping

Question 11

What is the most common leukaemia in childhood ?

Answer 11

ALL

Question 12

List 5 signs of ALL ?

Answer 12

Anaemia- SOB, pallor  
Neutropenia- infections
Thrombocytopenia- Easy bruising, bleeding
Lymphadenopathy 
Hepatosplenomegaly

Question 13

Which drug is used to treat CML or ALL with the Philadelphia chromosome abnormality ?

Answer 13

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor- Imatinib