Polycythemia is a laboratory finding characterised by an increased number of RBCs and an accompanying elevation in haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration in the peripheral blood. It is commonly an incidental finding. Definition of terms Term Definition Relative polycythemia An isolated…
Atypical chronic myeloid leukaemia is characterised by myelodysplasia and myeloproliferation at the outset. However, it does not meet the criteria for bcr-abl+ CML or other MPNs. It affects men more than women, and the median age of diagnosis is 70…
A leukemoid reaction is the presence of an elevated leucocyte count of >50 x 10^9/L in a reactive condition outside the bone marrow. Leukemoid reaction vs Chronic myeloid leukaemia Leukemoid reaction Chronic myeloid leukaemia PBF leukocytes Left shift: mature neutrophils,…
Chronic myeloid leukaemia is characterised by a single genetic translocation (bcr-abl) in a pluripotent stem cell. It is characterised by increased proliferation of differentiating granulocytic cells. The peripheral blood shows an increased number of granulocytes and occasional blasts. 90-95% of…
Plasma cell lymphomas can be morphologically classified into solitary, multiple myeloma, or plasmablastic lymphomas. They commonly present as lytic bone lesions of the skull, ribs, pelvis, and spine
Burkitt Lymphoma was first described in 1958 at Mulago Hospital in Uganda. It is characterised by Burkitt cells, which have a very high proliferative rate (more than 90% Ki67 proliferative index and a 24-hour cell turnover rate), and c-MYC gene…
Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma is an aggressive lymphoma that commonly presents as extranodal masses. It is associated with HIV It peaks at 60 years of age. Types of DLBCL Type Description Immunodeficiency-associated Associated with EBV and HIV More common in…
Follicular lymphoma is the most common peripheral non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It affects middle-aged men and women equally, and has an indolent course with prolonged survival (7-9 years). 30-50% undergo Richter’s transformation into Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma.
Small lymphocytic lymphoma is a classic example of a peripheral B-cell neoplasm. It may present with lymphocytosis – hence CLL 10% of cases undergo Richter’s transformation into Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. It is an indolent disease with a median survival…
Precursor lymphomas account for 15% of ALL cases and 90% of lymphoma cases in children. The Pre-T cell and Pre-B cell forms are indistinguishable. They are very aggressive and can progress to ALL. Precursor lymphomas Type Definition Pre-T cell lymphoma…
