Oncology Flashcards
(65 cards)
Leukaemia
Cancer of the stem cells in the bone marrow
Name some types of Leukaemia
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
What type of Leukaemia is the most common in children?
ALL
In which age group does ALL have peak incidence?
2-3 years
What is the second most common type of Leukaemia in children?
AML
In which age group does AML have peak incidence?
<2 years
Incidence of CML
very rare
Risk Factors for Leukaemia
- Down’s syndrome - Kleinfelters syndrome - Radiation exposure during pregnancy - Noonan syndrome
Symptoms of Leukaemia
- Persistent fatigue - Unexplained fever - Faltering growth - Weight loss - Night sweats - Anaemia - Petechiae and abnormal bruising - Unexplained bleeding - Abdominal pain - Generalised lymphadenopathy - Hepatosplenomegaly
Ix for Leukaemia
- NICE recommend any child with unexplained petechiae or hepatomegaly require specialist assessment. FBC + Blood Film + Bone Marrow Biopsy
When should a FBC be done if you suspect Leukaemia?
should be done within 48 hours
What may FBC show for someone with Leukaemia ?
anaemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
What may a blood film show for someone with Leukaemia ?
can show blast cells
What is the definitive Ix for Leukaemia ?
Bone marrow biopsy
Managment of Leukaemia
- Chemotherapy
- Potential radiotherapy and bone marrow transplant
Brain Tumours - are they likely to be primary or secondary children?
These are almost always primary in children
What is the leading cause of childhood cancer deaths in the UK?
Brain Tumours
Name some types of Brain Tumours
Astrocytoma, Medulloblastoma, Ependyoma, Brainstem glioma, Craniopharyngioma
Brain Tumours : Astrocytoma severity ?
- varies from benign to highly malignant
Brain Tumours : Medulloblastoma - distribution ?
arises in the midline of the posterior fossa and may seed through the CNS via the CSF giving spinal metastases
Brain Tumours : Ependymoma - location ?
- mostly in the posterior fossa where it behaves like medulloblastoma
Brain Tumours : Craniopharyngioma - origin?
developmental tumour arising from an embryological remnant
Symptoms of Brain Tumours are often related to raised ____
ICP
Symptoms of Brain Tumours
Headache worse on waking, coughing, straining or bending forward along with papilloedema - Focal neurological signs may be detected - Back pain, Peripheral weakness of arms/legs or Bladder/bowel dysfunction can also be present depending upon the level of the lesion.