Paeds malignant diseases and haematology (ILA 1) Flashcards
(113 cards)
What is the most common leukaemia in children?
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia accounts for 80% of cases in children
What is leukaemia?
cancer of the white blood cells
overproduction of immature white blood cells -> inhibit production of normal cells in bone marrow -> infiltrates organs -> organ failure
How does leukaemia commonly present?
causes bone marrow infiltration which leads to…
- anaemia - pallor, lethargy
- thrombocytopenia - bruising, nose bleeds
- neutropenia - frequent infection
- bone pain
List poor prognosis factors for leukaemia
child <2 y/o or >10 y/o B/T cell surface markers WBC >20 x 10^9/L non caucasian male sex
Which cells would you expect to see in ALL?
BLAST CELLS
How is ALL diagnosed?
FBC - anaemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, blast cells
bone marrow examination *
How is ALL treated?
REMISSION INDUCTION - correct anaemia, hydration, treat infections
INTENSIFICATION - intensive chemo
What are the most common brain tumours in children?
astrocytoma **
(most malignant form is a glioblastoma multiforme)
most commonly infratentorial - located below the tentorium cerebelli
Outline the symptoms that you might see in a brain tumour
symptoms of raised intracranial pressure…
- vomiting (early in morning)
- headache
- abnormal eye movements - papilloedema, squint, nystagmus
- seizures
- problems with balance/ walking
- lethargy
- developmental delay/ problems at school / delayed puberty
List the signs of a tumour in the cortex
seizures
hemiplegia
focal neurological signs
List the signs of a tumour in the midline
visual field loss = bitemporal hemianopia
pituitary failure
List the signs of a tumour in the cerebellum / 4th ventricle
truncal ataxia
coordination difficulties
abnormal eye movements
List the signs of a tumour in the brainstem
cranial nerve defects
pyramidal tract signs
ataxia
List the signs of a tumour in the spine
peripheral weakness of limbs
back pain
bladder/ bowl dysfunction
how is a brain tumour diagnosed?
MRI
When would you consider scanning a child presenting with a headache?
- papilloedema, visual loss
- neurological signs
- <2 y/o
- headache in early morning with vomiting preceding
- short stature
- neurofibromatosis
How does hodgkin lymphoma commonly present?
painless lymphadenopathy ***
- commonly in the neck
- lymph nodes larger and firmer
several month history
systemic symptoms - tiredness, weight loss, sweating
How is hodgkins lymphoma diagnosed?
lymph node biopsy
Which lymphoma presents more commonly in childhood?
non hodgkin lymphoma more common in childhood
How does non- hodgkin lymphoma commonly present?
mediastinal mass which can cause SVC obstruction - dyspnoea, facial swelling, flushing, distended veins
bone marrow infiltration
What are the signs of bone marrow infiltration?
- anaemia
- neutropenia
- thrombocytopenia
- bone pain
How do neuroblastomas present?
- abdominal mass - large, hepatomegaly
- bone pain
- limp
- bone marrow suppression
- malaise
- weight loss
Where do neuroblastoma arise from?
arise from neural tissue in the adrenal medulla and sympathetic nervous system
What is the prognosis for a neuronblastoma?
poor - often present late at advanced state and metastatic