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Showing posts from August, 2018

MYELOMA

AKA Multiple myeloma, plasma cell neoplasms This is a proliferation of neoplastic plasma cells derived from one B lymphocyte and producing a homogeneous immunoglobulin (M protein) without any apparent antigenic stimulation. Plasma cells produce osteoclast-activating factor leading to extensive bone loss, severe pain, and pathologic fractures. Abnormal immunoglobulin affects renal function, platelet function, resistance to infection, and may cause hyper viscosity of blood. INCIDENCES It accounts approximately 13% of all hematologic malignancies. Affecting adults of any age but men are slightly more affected than women The mean age at diagnosis is approximately 65–70 years of age. ETIOLOGY Exact cause is unknown. Risk factors include: Genetic and environmental factors chronic exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation Exposure to certain exotoxins, e.g. benzene, Agent Orange. Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) - a condition in which an abnormal protein — known as mo...

LYMPHOMA

The lymphomas are neoplasms of cells of lymphoid origin. Lymphomas are malignant disorders of the reticuloendothelial system that result in an accumulation of dysfunctional, immature lymphoid-derived cells. These tumors usually start in lymph nodes but can involve lymphoid tissue in the spleen, GI tract (eg, the wall of the stomach), liver, or bone marrow. They are classified according to the predominant cell type and by the degree of malignant cell maturity (eg, well differentiated, poorly differentiated, or undifferentiated). Lymphomas can be broadly classified into two categories: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA Hodgkin's lymphoma originates in the lymphoid system and involves predominantly lymph nodes. Characterized by appearance of "Reed-Sternberg" multinucleated giant cell in tumor. Generally spreads via lymphatic channels, involving lymph nodes, spleen, and ultimately extralymphatic sites. May also spread via bloodstream to...

LEUKOPENIA

It is a condition in which there are fewer leukocytes than normal, results from neutropenia (diminished neutrophils) or lymphopenia (diminished lymphocytes). Even if other types of leukocytes (eg, monocytes, basophils) are diminished, their numbers are too few to reduce the total leukocyte count significantly. In adults leukopenia is a total WBC count ETIOLOGY Blood cell or bone marrow conditions Aplastic Anemia Hypersplenism or overactive spleen Myelodysplastic syndromes Myeloproliferative syndrome Myelofibrosis Cancer like leukemia and treatments for cancer chemotherapy radiation therapy (especially when used on large bones, such as those in your legs and pelvis) bone marrow transplant Congenital problems Severe congenital neutropenia (Kostmann syndrome) Myelokathexis Infectious diseases HIV or AIDS Tuberculosis Autoimmune disorders SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus Rheumatoid arthritis Malnutrition - vitamin or mineral deficiencies vitamin B-12 folate copper zinc Medications cloza...

LEUKAEMIA

Leukaemia is a group of malignant disorders of the blood and bone marrow that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in an accumulation of cells high numbers of dysfunctional, immature white blood cells. Classification They are classified as acute or chronic based on the development rate of symptoms, and further classified by the predominant cell type. ACUTE LEUKAEMIAS It is characterize by a rapid increase in the number of immature blood cells with rapid progression of symptoms. Acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL)- When lymphocytes are the predominant malignant cell, the disorder is; Acute Myeloid/Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) - when monocytes or granulocytes are predominant, it is, sometimes called acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. Biphenotypic Leukemia - is an acute leukemia with both lymphocytic and myelogenous cell characteristics. CHRONIC LEUKEMIA It is characterized by the excessive and gradual accumulation of relatively mature, but still abnormal, white blood cells. Typi...