Leukaemia Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is leukaemia?
A type of cancer affecting white blood cells
What are the 4 main types of leukaemia?
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
What is the difference between myeloid and lymphoblastic leukaemias?
Myeloid: cancer affects myeloid precursor cells
Lymphoblastic: cancer affects lymphoid precursor cells
What cells do myeloid precursor cells give rise to?
Neutrophils
Basophils
Eosinophils
Monocytes + macrophages
What cells do lymphoid precursor cells give rise to?
Natural killer cell
T and B lymphocytes
What is AML?
Acute myeloid leukaemia
Malignancy in the myeloid blasts in the bone marrow, blood or other tissues
Malignant proliferation of monocytes and granulocytes, there are too many, they are not fully developed and don’t work properly
What are granulocytes?
Neutrophils
Basophils
Eosinophils
What problems does leukaemia cause in the blood, and why?
Immunodeficiency: because the monocytes and granulocytes are abnormal, they are unable to fight infection properly
Anaemia: too many WBCs in the bone marrow means less room for RBC production
Thrombocytopenia: too many WBCs in bone marrow means less room for platelet production
Clinical presentation of AML?
Develops quickly over days or weeks
Anaemia
Leucopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Fatigue, headache, collapse, infections, bleeding
Pallor, tachycardia, fever, purpura
Who gets AML?
Any age or gender
But more common in adults over the age of 60
What is ALL?
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Malignancy in the lymphoid blasts in the bone marrow, blood or other tissues
Malignant proliferation of B and T lymphocytes, there are too many, they are not fully developed and don’t work properly
Clinical features of ALL?
Develops quickly over days or weeks
Anaemia
Leucopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Fatigue, dizziness, infections, weight loss, bruising, bone pain
Who gets ALL?
Any age or gender
Mostly affects children
Investigation of leukaemias?
Blood film:
- look for increased numbers of specific WBCs
- look for WBC abnormalities
Bone marrow biopsy
Lymph node biopsy
Management of acute leukaemias?
Medical emergency
Supportive care
- treat + prevent infections
- give blood products (RBCs, platelets, WBCs)
Chemotherapy
Stem cell transplant
Bone marrow transplant
What is the significance of the Philadelphia chromosome in ALL?
If the patient has the Philadelphia chromosome the prognosis is poor
What is CML?
Chronic myeloid leukaemia
Malignancy of granulocytes: neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils
Too many, abnormal and immature granulocytes are produced
Strong association with Philadelphia chromosome
Clinical features of CML?
Develops slowly, months to years
Anaemia
Thrombocytopenia
Leucopenia
Weight loss Fatigue Fever Gout Splenomegaly Bruising
Who gets CML?
Adults usually age 40-60
Management of CML?
Chemotherapy
Bone marrow transplant
What complication can occur in CML?
A blast crisis, a sudden increase in speed of development of CML
Sudden increase of leukaemia cells, a lot of myeloid cells in the bone marrow and blood
What is CLL?
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Malignancy of B lymphocytes
Too many abnormal, immature B lymphocytes are produced
Clinical features of CLL?
Develops over months and years
Anaemia
Thrombocytopenia
Leucopenia
Enlarged lymph nodes, rubbery, soft, tender
Splenomegaly
Infections
Weight loss
Fatigue
Who gets CLL?
Generally the elderly, but not always
