Answers(Rated A)
Leukemias - ANSWER-Malignancies of the blood and bone marrow. Divided into two
main groups - myeloid and lymphocytic, based upon the type of white blood cell
involved.
Four major classifications of leukemias - ANSWER-1. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
(AML)
2. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
3. Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
4. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Signs and symptoms for all types of leukemia? - ANSWER-1. Fatigue and shortness
of breath resulting from anemia.
2. Bruising or bleeding as a results of thrombocytopenia.
3. Fever or infection as a result of low WBC count.
Treatment for all types of leukemia? - ANSWER-Chemotherapy, bone marrow
transplant after chemotherapy.
Allogenic stem cell transplant - ANSWER-Transplanted stem cells come from a
carefully selected and matched donor, often a sibling.
Autologous stem cell transplant - ANSWER-Stem cells are taken from the individual
prior to chemotherapy and purged, or treated with chemotherapeutic agents or
monoclonal antibodies, to eliminate the malignant cells. The purged stem cells are
then transplanted back into the individual following chemo.
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia - ANSWER-Usually develops after age 50; incidence
rises with age; affects males and females equally; no known cause, but a strong
association with radiation exposure and patients who have undergone prior
chemotherapy, particularly with alkylating agents.
French-American-British (FAB) - ANSWER-Classification system that divides AML
into 7 or 8 subclasses (M0 or M1 through M7) based on morphologic, histochemical
and immunologic characteristics. These characteristics are useful in determining
treatment and prognosis.
Morphologic characteristics - ANSWER-Those associated with physical size and
shape of the cell. Example - undifferentiated, myeloblastic.
Histologic characteristics - ANSWER-Those that deal with the microscopic anatomy
of a cell. Example - chemical components or activities of a cell.
Immunologic characteristics - ANSWER-Related to the antigen/antibody receptors
and other markers on the cell surface.