Myelodysplastic syndromes are characterized by dysplastic and ineffective hematopoiesis – bone marrow failure**.** It is sometimes described as “pre-leukemic” since there is a risk of transformation into acute leukemia (30%). In MDS, there is varied anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Hence…
Overview Myeloproliferative neoplasms are abnormal proliferations of one or more terminal myeloid cell lines in the peripheral blood (RBCs, WBCs, platelets). Myeloproliferative neoplasms are poorly characterized and poorly undersood. They all cause a predilection to extramedullary hematopoiesis, myelofibrosis, and transformation…
CLL is characterized by a progressive accumulation of monoclonal, mature, non-functional B lymphocytes. CLL is usually discovered on routine blood tests as an isolated lymphocytosis. It is defined by a > 5000/uL B-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood that are marked…
Overview Acute Leukemia is an abnormal proliferation of blasts in either the peripheral myeloid or lymphoid cell lines. Acute Leukemias are of rapid onset. The blasts dramatically affect the bone marrow and consume nutrients and other resources leading to a…
Hematological malignancies are clonal diseases (neoplasms) that are derived from a single hematopoietic stem cell or peripheral lymphoid tissue that has undergone a genetic alteration (e.g. B cell Lymphoma)
Overview Sickle cell disease is a hereditary, autosomal recessive disease caused by a point mutation of the beta-globin gene resulting in the absence of HbA and the production of HbS. Hbs has a preponderance to “sickling” (esp. during hypoxia, dehydration,…
Overview Hemolytic anemia is simply anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells. The destruction of red blood cells happens at an accelerated pace, beyond the capacity of the bone marrow to compensate. Usually, a normocytic anemia is present…
Overview Macrocytic anemia is characterized by Low Hb and High MCV (> 100). B12 and folate are required for the maturation of RBCs. Immature RBCs are larger, hence the increase in MCV in B12/Folate deficiency. A false normal MCV can…
Overview Microcytic anemia is characterized by low hemoglobin and low mean corpuscular volume. It is very important to confirm the cause of anemia, starting with a peripheral blood smear and an Iron panel. Patients with severe or symptomatic anemia (Hb…
Anaemia is defined as a decrease in red cell mass as evidenced by low haemoglobin concentration in blood below the reference range for a given age or sex in a given population or geographic location. WHO gives the reference value…