Leukemia

Question 1

leukemia

Answer 1

• cancer of any of the leukocytes
• malignant WBCS present in circulation (malignancy of WBCS)
• wherever blood flows may have infiltration of tissues (NOT METASTASIS)

Question 2

leukemia is the most common cancer in

Answer 2

Children and young adults

Question 3

Etiology of leukemia

Answer 3

idiopathic

Question 4

Chronic leukemia’s

Answer 4

• may live with, may be myeloid or lymphoid

- mature cells, less aggressive

Question 5

Acute leukemia’s

Answer 5

cure or death (likely to succumb as very aggressive)

• myeloid or lymphoid
• immature blast cells (formative) aggressive with short duration
• not mature cells higher above cells in fig 12.6

Question 6

leukemia’s classified as

Answer 6

acute or chronic lymphocytic (lymphocytes) or myelogenous (monocytes, granulocytes) leukemias

Question 7

risks of leukemia

Answer 7

• genetic predisposition
• excessive exposure to radiation
• Immunodeficiency
• T-cell leukemia virus (infection doesn’t cause cancer virus does - it interferes with DNA and causes mutations)
• Non malignant blood cell production also affected (decreases) cancer fights for limited resources

Question 8

Diagnosing leukemia

Answer 8

-blood & bone marrow evaluation

Question 9

Manifestations of Leukemia

Answer 9

• anemia
• thrombocytopenia: decreased deficiency of platelets affects clotting
• Leukopenia: decrease in WBC, decrease in defense
• recurrent infections and fever: body’s immunity compromised, own cells dying & releasing endogenous pyrogens
• Fatigue & weakness: due to lack of RBCS
• bruising & bleeding: lack of platelets
• generalized pain: using muscles of body can’t fuel d/t decreased

Question 10

how is non malignant blood cell production affected in pts with leukemia

Answer 10

• leads to decreased 02 supply (less RBCS)

- impaired immune function (WBCS compromised and not being formed due to or reduction)

Question 11

what is anemia

Answer 11

lack of red blood cells

Question 12

what is leukopenia

Answer 12

deficiency of leukocytes

Question 13

thrombocytopenia

Answer 13

deficiency of platelets

Question 14

for stages of treatment for leukemia

Answer 14

• Induction phase
• CNS prophylaxis
• Consolidation
• Maintenance

Question 15

Treatment of leukemia uses BOTH

Answer 15

Chemotherapy & Radiation

Question 16

other treatments of leukemia

Answer 16

• transfusions
• antimicrobials (antibiotics, antifungals)
• colony stimulating factors
• marrow or stem cell transplant (option if nothing else works)

Question 17

Induction phase of leukemia treatment

Answer 17

-induce remission (start remission)

Question 18

CNS prophylaxis of leukemia treatment

Answer 18

-to prevent problem in CNS

Question 19

Consolidation of leukemia treatment

Answer 19

-increase dose & maintain remission

Question 20

Maintenance of leukemia treatment

Answer 20

-decrease dose & maintain remission