Blood Disorders and Cancers Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What are the two main types of lymphoma?

Anemia and sickle cell disease

Leukemia and multiple myeloma

Hodgkin's lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (correct)

Candidal lymphoma and viral lymphoma

Which of the following is a characteristic sign of multiple myeloma?

Formation of large lymphatic tumors

Excess production of plasma cells (correct)

Circulating cancerous cells in the bloodstream

Severe systemic infections

What dental consideration should be made for patients undergoing long-term bisphosphonates treatment?

They are at high risk for osteoradionecrosis (correct)

They can safely undergo any dental procedure

They should avoid fluoride treatments

They require more frequent cleanings

Where does leukemia primarily originate?

In the bone marrow Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom shared among blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma?

Weakness and fatigue Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of multiple myeloma on the bone marrow?

Destruction of bone tissue Signup and view all the answers

What are anaemias primarily characterized by?

Red blood cells not functioning properly Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is classified as a cancer of white blood cells?

Leukaemia Signup and view all the answers

Which type of blood disorder involves an abnormality in red blood cells?

Anaemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between leukaemia and lymphoma?

Leukaemia is a blood cancer, while lymphoma primarily affects lymphatic tissues Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes deficiencies in red blood cell levels?

Thalassemia Signup and view all the answers

What role does a dental hygienist/therapist play concerning blood disorders?

They refer patients to blood specialists as necessary Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of blood disorder?

Hypertension Signup and view all the answers

How do deficiency anaemias impact patient management in dental care?

They may complicate treatment and necessitate precautionary measures Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of sickle cell disease?

Abnormal shape of red blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of anaemia?

Reduced oxygen carrying capacity of the blood Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common clinical feature of iron deficiency anaemia?

Brittle nails & koilonychia Signup and view all the answers

What is a common dietary cause of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Vegan diet Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a cause of folate deficiency?

Genetic mutation Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency?

Regular intra-muscular injections of hydroxocobalamin Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic change occurs to red blood cells in vitamin B12 deficiency?

They become larger Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is categorized under haemolytic anaemias?

Sickle Cell Disease Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential complication of folate deficiency during pregnancy?

Neural tube defects in the fetus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding the dietary absorption of vitamin B12?

Absorption occurs in the small intestine through the intrinsic factor complex Signup and view all the answers

What condition describes the absence of red blood cells in the body?

Aplastic anaemia Signup and view all the answers

What is aplastic anaemia primarily caused by?

Bone marrow depression Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is associated with anaemia of chronic disease?

Chronic infections such as HIV Signup and view all the answers

What is a common risk factor for developing leukaemias?

Ionising radiation Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia?

High survival rates in children Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant treatment option for Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia?

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of leukaemia?

Fatigue and pallor Signup and view all the answers

Which type of leukaemia primarily affects older adults?

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Signup and view all the answers

What complication can arise from Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia?

Blast crisis Signup and view all the answers

What type of cancer is multiple myeloma?

Cancerous growth of antibody-producing plasma cells Signup and view all the answers

What is one common symptom of lymphoma?

Lymph node enlargement Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary treatment for spina bifida mentioned?

Daily folic acid and dietary improvements Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is classified as an inherited haemolytic anaemia?

Sickle cell disease Signup and view all the answers

What can potentially trigger a sickle cell crisis?

Low oxygen levels due to various factors Signup and view all the answers

What is most common among individuals with sickle cell trait?

Being healthy with minimal health issues Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a symptom of homozygous β-thalassaemia major?

Chronic anaemia and skeletal deformities Signup and view all the answers

In what populations is thalassaemia most commonly found?

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern groups Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes sickle cell disease?

An autosomal recessive disorder causing red blood cell distortion Signup and view all the answers

Why is antibiotic prophylaxis recommended for invasive dental treatments in sickle cell disease patients?

To prevent potential dental infections Signup and view all the answers

What oral manifestation is associated with thalassaemia?

‘Hair on end’ appearance on x-rays Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended management for patients with acquired haemolytic anaemias?

Identification and treatment of the underlying cause Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Blood Disorders Overview

Blood disorders are conditions affecting the composition or function of blood cells.
Types of blood disorders include anemias, leukaemias, other dyscrasias (e.g., multiple myeloma, lymphoma), bleeding disorders (e.g., thrombocytopenia), and coagulopathies.

Anemia

Anemia is a condition where the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity is reduced.
- Levels are below 11.5 g/dL for females and 13.5 g/dL for males.
Causes include deficiency anemias (iron, B12, folate), haemolytic anemias (inherited or acquired), aplastic anemia, and anemia of chronic disease.
Clinical features include fatigue, lethargy, breathlessness, palpitations, pallor, headache, brittle nails, koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails), pale oral mucosa, and atrophic glossitis.
Dietary deficiencies like iron or folate may cause anemias.
Chronic blood loss, malabsorption, or pregnancy can also cause anemia.
Management often includes medical history check, identifying the cause, iron supplements, and a preventive dental regime.

Anemia Types: Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia: A lack of iron leading to smaller, paler red blood cells.
- Causes: Dietary deficiency, chronic blood loss, malabsorption, pregnancy.
- Symptoms: fatigue, lethargy, breathlessness, pallor, brittle nails, koilonychia. Clinical features include pale oral mucosa and atrophic glossitis.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia: Insufficient B12 for DNA & RNA synthesis; causing larger red blood cells.
- Causes: Dietary deficiency (low intake in vegans or vegetarians), impaired absorption (e.g., Crohn's disease, pernicious anemia).
- Clinical Features: similar dental symptoms to iron deficiency anemia, glossitis, recurrent aphthous ulcers, angular cheilitis, burning mouth syndrome, and red beefy tongue.
Folate deficiency anemia: Folate required for DNA & RNA production, resulting in larger RBCs.
- Causes: Dietary deficiency.
- Clinical Features: similar dental features to other deficiency anemias.
Haemolytic anemias (inherited/acquired): Premature destruction of red blood cells.
- Inherited: Haemoglobinopathies (e.g., sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia).
- Causes of acquired: Infections, medications (e.g., penicillin), blood cancers, autoimmune disorders, overactive spleen, mechanical heart valves, severe blood transfusions.

Anemia Types: Haemolytic Anemia

Inherited: Haemoglobinopathies.
- Sickle Cell Disease: Chronic hemolytic anemia with a genetic mutation that can cause rigid and misshapen red blood cells causing episodes of severe pain, damage to vital organs, and potentially death.
- Sickle Cell Trait: Carriers of the sickle cell gene, rarely have health problems.
- Thalassaemia: Characterized by an abnormal amount of haemoglobin from inherited genes, resulting in fewer and more fragile red blood cells, causing early haemolysis and anaemia.
  - Alpha-thalassaemias: mostly found in Asians, with 4 subtypes of varying severity.
  - Beta-thalassaemias: mainly in Mediterranean and Caribbean populations. Homozygous beta-thalassemia major is typically lethal in utero or infancy.

Anemia Types: Others

Aplastic Anemia: Bone marrow depression leading to fewer blood cells.
- Causes: Idiopathic, genetic, cytotoxic drugs, radiation, certain chemicals, malignancies (e.g., leukemia), viral infection.
- Symptoms: severe bruising, fatigue, dyspnoea.
Anemia of Chronic Disease: Anaemia and immune system activation due to reduced red blood cell production and increased haemolysis.
- Common conditions causing this include chronic infections (e.g., HIV), autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), chronic diseases (e.g., liver or kidney disease), malignancy, major trauma, major surgery or critical illness, or older age.

Leukaemias

Leukaemias are cancers of the white blood cells, usually arising in the bone marrow.
- Characterised by an uncontrolled proliferation of immature white blood cells, crowding out other blood cells, causing anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia.
Treatment often includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone marrow transplant, and stem cell transplant.
- Acute Leukemia (lymphocytic, myeloid): rapidly developing cancers of the bone marrow characterized by high numbers and immature blast type white cells released in the blood. Usually occurs in children, but risk increases with age.
- Chronic leukemia: slowly developing cancers of the bone marrow, characterized by an increase in immature white blood. Typically in adults aged 60+.
Clinical Features related to blood cell depletion and/or infection risk.
Additional clinical features potentially include oral manifestations like lymphadenopathy, mucosal pallor, gingival hypertrophy, spontaneous gingival bleeding, and petechial haemorrhages.

Other Dyscrasias

Multiple Myeloma: Cancer of antibody-producing plasma cells that grow uncontrollably in the bone marrow, leading to osteolytic bone lesions.
- Symptoms can include bone pain, recurring infections, kidney damage, and fatigue.
Lymphoma: Cancer involving the lymphatic system, where lymphocytes grow uncontrollably in lymph nodes, spleen or other lymph tissues, often causing node enlargements in the neck, groin, or armpit.
- Types: Hodgkin lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Dental Implications

Dental Implications for patients with hematological disorders include consideration for radiotherapy, chemotherapy, potential infections, osteoradionecrosis risk, and the need to defer dental treatment with appropriate advice from a physician.
Specific considerations include preventive regimes, avoiding general anaesthetics or stressors. Vasoconstrictors need caution. NSAIDs may also be a contra-indication or require specific guidelines.

General Management

Patients with blood disorders often require specialized care, potentially hospitalization. Preventing infection and ensuring good dental hygiene are paramount.

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Description

Test your knowledge about blood disorders and cancers, including lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. This quiz covers key characteristics, signs, and dental considerations for managing patients with these conditions. Challenge yourself and learn more about the implications of blood disorders in clinical practice!