2 Leukemia Free Online FlashCards

What two features classify leukemia?

Leukemia is classified by cell lineage (myeloid or lymphoid) and disease tempo (acute or chronic).

How do lineage and tempo distinguish AML, ALL, CML, and CLL?

AML and ALL are acute leukemias; AML is myeloid, while ALL is lymphoid. CML and CLL are chronic; CML is myeloid, while CLL is lymphoid.

How can leukemia crowding the bone marrow cause anemia, infection, and bleeding?

Leukemic cells can crowd out normal bone-marrow production: fewer red blood cells cause anemia, fewer functional neutrophils raise infection risk, and fewer platelets increase bruising and bleeding.

Which tests commonly help diagnose and subtype leukemia?

Evaluation commonly includes a CBC with differential, bone-marrow aspirate and biopsy, morphology, flow cytometry, and cytogenetic and molecular studies.

What is a standard treatment approach for chronic-phase CML?

A BCR::ABL1-targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a standard treatment approach for chronic-phase CML.

What is the priority response to fever during neutropenia?

Treat it as a potential urgent infection: notify the oncology team immediately and follow the febrile-neutropenia protocol for prompt assessment and treatment.

How do acute and chronic leukemias generally differ?

Acute leukemias involve immature cells and can progress rapidly; chronic leukemias generally involve more mature cells and may develop more slowly.

Does a very high white blood cell count guarantee effective infection defense?

A very high white blood cell count does not necessarily mean there are enough functional infection-fighting cells.

What can detection of BCR::ABL1 indicate?

BCR::ABL1 supports a diagnosis of CML and can also be relevant in some cases of ALL.

How is asymptomatic CLL without progression commonly managed?

Active surveillance, or watchful waiting, is commonly used for asymptomatic CLL; treatment is considered if the disease becomes symptomatic or progressive.

What treatments are commonly used for APL?

APL treatment commonly uses all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with arsenic trioxide and/or chemotherapy, depending on risk and clinical circumstances.

What complication should be suspected with APL and abnormal bleeding?

Suspect APL-associated coagulopathy, including disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which can cause severe hemorrhage; urgent hematology/oncology attention is required.