Overview Plasma cell disorders involve the abnormal proliferation of plasma cells. These B-cell clones synthesize and secrete a single monoclonal immunoglobulin or its fragments e.g. free light chains, and free heavy chains. These monoclonal immunoglobulins are termed M proteins and…

Overview Lymphomas are tumors arising from lymphoid cells. They have a much less dramatic presentation than leukemias. They are classified into 2 major groups – Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s – based on morphology and immunophenotype. 2/3 of lymphoma present with Lymphadenopathy.…

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…

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)