Screening & cancers 2 Flashcards
(88 cards)
What are the 2 types of haematological malignancy?
- Leukaemias
- Lymphomas
What is leukaemia?
Tumours of the blood and haemopoietic lineages.
-myeloid/lymphoid
What is lymphoma?
Tumours of lymphocytes and the immune system.
How are molecular diagnostics used in haematological malignancies?
- Diagnosis
- Prognosis
- Treatment selection
- Disease monitoring
What techniques are used to define translocations in haematological malignancies? (2)
- PCR
- FISH
What type of translocation is normally seen in myeloid leukaemias?
Fusion gene translocation.
What technique is normally used for detecting myeloid leukaemias?
PCR.
- very sensitive and specific, small size range
- gene level
What is characteristic of the DNA in myeloid leukaemias?
Predictable break point/fusion.
-mRNA processed to remove introns
What type of translocation is normally seen in lymphomas?
Promoter/enhancer substitution.
What technique is normally used for detecting lymphomas?
FISH.
- very specific, large sizes
- chromosomal level
What is characteristic of the DNA in lymphomas?
Unpredictable break point/fusion.
-no abnormal mRNA
How common is chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Rare (1/100,000).
What are the main symptoms of chronic myeloid leukaemia?
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Gout
What causes abdominal pain with chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Splenomegaly/splenic infarction.
What causes fatigue with chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Anaemia.
What causes gout with chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Hyperuricaemia.
What does a FBC show if a patient has chronic myeloid leukaemia?
- Leucocytosis
- Anaemia
What is a common mutation in chronic myeloid leukaemia?
t(9,22)
» BCR-ABL fusion gene
» active tyrosine kinase
How is Gleevec (imatinic mesylate) used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia?
Blocks the active site of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase.
-competitive inhibitor
Which is more sensitive; PCR or cytogenetics?
PCR.
-can identify relapse early
What happens when someone is suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia?
The bone marrow produces too many WBCs.
What common mutations are used to detect chronic myeloproliferative leukemia? (2)
- JAK2
- CMPD
Who is B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia most common in?
Elderly males.
What are the common symptoms of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?
- Asymptomatic
- Fatigue
- Autoimmune anaemia
- Splenomegaly
- Lymphadenopathy