Podcast
Questions and Answers
What characterizes lymphocytic leukemias?
What characterizes lymphocytic leukemias?
Which type of leukemia is most common in adults?
Which type of leukemia is most common in adults?
What system is used to classify acute leukemias based on cell differentiation?
What system is used to classify acute leukemias based on cell differentiation?
What common factor does the World Health Organization classification consider for leukemia prognosis?
What common factor does the World Health Organization classification consider for leukemia prognosis?
Signup and view all the answers
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is primarily found in which population?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is primarily found in which population?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes the acute leukemias?
What characterizes the acute leukemias?
Signup and view all the answers
Which types of leukemia are more commonly diagnosed among adults aged 20 and older?
Which types of leukemia are more commonly diagnosed among adults aged 20 and older?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a primary consequence of the bone marrow being filled with malignant WBCs in leukemia patients?
What is a primary consequence of the bone marrow being filled with malignant WBCs in leukemia patients?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT suggested as a potential cause of leukemia?
Which of the following is NOT suggested as a potential cause of leukemia?
Signup and view all the answers
What commonly occurs in leukemia patients due to reduced platelet amounts?
What commonly occurs in leukemia patients due to reduced platelet amounts?
Signup and view all the answers
Which is a characteristic of chronic leukemias?
Which is a characteristic of chronic leukemias?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of childhood cancer diagnoses is leukemia estimated to represent?
What percentage of childhood cancer diagnoses is leukemia estimated to represent?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes leukemic cells from normal white blood cells?
What distinguishes leukemic cells from normal white blood cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What are potential central nervous system manifestations of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?
What are potential central nervous system manifestations of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?
Signup and view all the answers
Which treatment options are commonly considered for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?
Which treatment options are commonly considered for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a typical symptom of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?
What is a typical symptom of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?
Signup and view all the answers
Which feature is characteristic of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) during its chronic phase?
Which feature is characteristic of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) during its chronic phase?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in terms of onset?
What distinguishes Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in terms of onset?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Leukemia
- A group of blood or bone marrow cancer types
- Characterized by the replacement of bone marrow with abnormal white blood cells
- These abnormal cells infiltrate the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes
- Often thought of as a childhood disease with 28% of childhood cancers being leukemia diagnoses
- Among adults, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are more common
- In 2020, 60,530 new leukemia diagnoses and 23,100 deaths from leukemia-related complications in the United States
Pathophysiology and Etiology
- Leukemia develops when immature white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow
- These mutated cells multiply rapidly through cloning instead of normal mitosis
- This fills the bone marrow with abnormal white blood cells, spilling into the circulatory system and replacing normal white blood cells
- This weakens the body's immune defenses, making it vulnerable to infections
- The malignant white blood cells also replace the stem cells that produce red blood cells, platelets, and other blood products
- This leads to anemia and abnormal bleeding due to the reduced amount of these products in circulation
- Exact causes of leukemia are unknown
- Some investigators suggest exposure to radiation, chemotherapy, certain viruses, or benzene can contribute to leukemia
- Certain genetic conditions can also increase the risk of developing leukemia
Leukemia Classification
- Classified by acuity (acute or chronic) and the predominant cell type involved
- Acute leukemias: characterized by immediate onset, rapid disease progression and immature or undifferentiated blast cells
- Chronic leukemias: characterized by gradual onset, a longer course, and abnormal mature-appearing cells
- Lymphocytic leukemias: involve immature lymphocytes and their precursor cells in the bone marrow, infiltrating the lymph nodes, spleen, nervous system, and other tissues
- Myeloid leukemias: involve myeloid stem cells in the bone marrow interfering with the maturation of all blood cells including red blood cells, granulocytes, and thrombocytes
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): most common type of leukemia in children
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): most common types in adults
Leukemia Classification Systems
- French-American-British (FAB) System: classifies acute leukemias by the predominant cell involved and the degree of cell differentiation
- World Health Organization (WHO) System: takes into account factors that affect prognosis like genetic mutations and radiation exposure
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
- Primarily affects children and young adults
- Rapid onset and disease progression
- Symptoms: weakness, decreased energy, recurrent infections, bleeding, pallor, bone pain, weight loss, sore throat, night sweats
- Potential central nervous system manifestations if brain and/or spinal cord is infiltrated: includes headaches, vomiting, visual disturbances, and seizures
- Treatment: chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant (BMT), or stem cell transplant (SCT)
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Primarily affects older adults
- Insidious onset and slow, chronic course
- Symptoms: fatigue, exercise intolerance, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly, recurrent infections, pallor, edema, and thrombophlebitis
- Treatment: Often requires no treatment, depending on rate of progression; chemotherapy, BMT
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Common in older adults, rarely seen in children and young adults
- Symptoms: fatigue, weakness, fever, anemia, headache, bone and joint pain, abnormal bleeding and bruising, recurrent infection, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly
- Treatment: Chemotherapy, SCT
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
- Primarily affects adults
- Usually associated with Philadelphia chromosome
- Early course is slow and stable, progressing to aggressive phase in 3–4 years
- Chronic phase: asymptomatic or very mild, vague symptoms
- Accelerated phase: decreased appetite, weight loss, and fever
- Acute phase (blast crisis or blast phase): progression includes splenomegaly, bone damage, abnormal platelet count
- Treatment: Interferon alfa, chemotherapy with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec), SCT
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the complex world of leukemia, a type of blood and bone marrow cancer. This quiz delves into its types, particularly focusing on childhood and adult leukemias, as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms behind its development. Understand how leukemia affects the body's immune system and the implications of its rapid proliferation.
