leukemia overview

Question 1

What is leukemia?

Answer 1

Cancer of the blood affecting the blood, bone marrow, lymph system, and spleen.

Question 2

What is the progression of leukemia if untreated?

Answer 2

Follows a progressive course that is fatal if untreated.

Question 3

Is there a single cause of leukemia?

Answer 3

No — results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Question 4

What chemical exposures increase leukemia risk?

Answer 4

Chemical agents, especially during fetal development (in utero).

Question 5

What medications increase risk?

Answer 5

Chemotherapy exposure.

Question 6

What infectious exposures increase risk?

Answer 6

Viruses.

Question 7

What environmental factor increases risk?

Answer 7

Radiation.

Question 8

What immune-related factor increases risk?

Answer 8

Immunologic deficiencies.

Question 9

What congenital conditions increase leukemia risk?

Answer 9

Occurs more often with congenital/inherited anomalies (e.g., Down syndrome).

Question 10

What are the four main leukemia classifications?

Answer 10

AML, ALL, CML, CLL.

Question 11

Which leukemias are acute?

Answer 11

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).

Question 12

How do acute leukemias progress?

Answer 12

Rapid onset; can achieve remission.

Question 13

Which leukemias are chronic?

Answer 13

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia (CLL).

Question 14

How do chronic leukemias progress?

Answer 14

Slower progression; long-term disease; can go into remission but cannot be cured.

Question 15

What does a nondeterminable subtype indicate?

Answer 15

Poor prognosis.

Question 16

What are two rare leukemia types?

Answer 16

Hairy cell leukemia and biphenotypic leukemia.

Question 17

Why does anemia occur in leukemia?

Answer 17

Bone marrow fails to produce enough red blood cells.

Question 18

Why does thrombocytopenia occur?

Answer 18

Bone marrow crowding → decreased platelet production.

Question 19

Why do WBC abnormalities occur?

Answer 19

Increased number but decreased function of WBCs.

Question 20

What does a high WBC count without infection indicate?

Answer 20

Possible leukemia (e.g., WBC 20k with no infection signs).

Question 21

What organ enlargements occur as leukemia progresses?

Answer 21

Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly.

Question 22

What lymphatic sign may develop?

Answer 22

Lymphadenopathy.

Question 23

What bone symptom may occur?

Answer 23

Bone pain.

Question 24

What causes CNS symptoms in leukemia?

Answer 24

Meningeal irritation from leukemic infiltration.

Question 25

What CNS symptoms occur?

Answer 25

Headache, photophobia, neck stiffness, seizures.

Question 26

What oral finding may occur?

Answer 26

Oral lesions.

Question 27

What are chloromas?

Answer 27

Solid tumor-like masses that can form when leukemia spreads untreated.

Question 28

What initial exams are done for leukemia diagnosis?

Answer 28

History & physical (H&P).

Question 29

What lab test is foundational to diagnosis?

Answer 29

CBC.

Question 30

What does a peripheral smear show?

Answer 30

Abnormal WBCs, immature blasts.

Question 31

What is the gold standard diagnostic test for leukemia?

Answer 31

Bone marrow aspiration/biopsy.

Question 32

What does cytochemistry evaluate?

Answer 32

Chemical markers that differentiate leukemia types.

Question 33

Why perform a lumbar puncture?

Answer 33

To detect CNS involvement.

Question 34

What is genetic/chromosome testing used for?

Answer 34

To identify mutations and classify leukemia type.

Question 35

How are imaging tests used?

Answer 35

PET/CT scans assess disease spread.