1. LEUKEMIAS By Dr Aamer Aleem Consultant Hematologist
Associate Prof. of Medicine
College of Medicine & KKUH
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2. Leukemias
Leukemias are a group of cancers of the blood or bone marrow and are characterized by an abnormal proliferation (production by multiplication) of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes).
Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases. Any of various acute or chronic neoplastic diseases of the bone marrow in which unrestrained proliferation of white blood cells occurs and which is usually accompanied by anemia and thrombocytopenia

3. Classification of leukemias
Two major types (4 subtypes) of leukemias
Acute leukemias
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
(also "myeloid" or "nonlymphocytic")
Chronic leukemias
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
(Within these main categories, there are typically several subcategories)

4. Myeloid vs Lymphoid Any disease that arises from the myeloid
elements (white cell, red cell, platelets) is a myeloid disease
….. AML, CML
Any disease that arises from the lymphoid
elements is a lymphoid disease
….. ALL, CLL

5. Acute vs. chronic leukemia
Acute leukemias:
Young, immature, blast cells in the bone marrow
(and often blood)
More fulminant presentation
More aggressive course
• Chronic leukemias:
Accumulation of mature, differentiated cells
Often subclinical or incidental presentation
In general, more indolent (slow) course
Frequently splenomegaly
Mature appearing cells in the B. marrow and blood

6. Acute vs. chronic leukemia
Leukemias are classified according to cell of origin:
Lymphoid cells
ALL - lymphoblasts
CLL – mature appearing lymphocytes
Myeloid cells
AML – myeloblasts
CML – mature appearing neutrophils
On a CBC, if you see:
Predominance of blasts in blood
consider an acute leukemia
Leukocytosis with mature lymphocytosis
consider CLL
Leukocytosis with mature neutrophilia
consider CML

7. Acute leukemias
Definition: Malignancies of immature hematopeotic cells.
(> 20% blast cells in the bone marrow)
Types: Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Groups: Childhood (< 15) > 80% ALL
Adult (> 15) > 80% AML
Elderly (> 60 years)

9. Acute leukemias Etiology Drugs & chemicals Ionizing radiation Viruses
• Alkylating agents (Chlorambucil, N mustard, Melphalan)
Topoisomerase inhibitors (Etoposide)
• Benzene
Ionizing radiation
Viruses
HTLV-1 (Adult T-cell leukemia Lymphoma)
Genetic disorders
Down’s syndrome
Myelodysplastic syndrome

10. Clinical presentation
Symptoms
Usual 1-3 Month History : MDS – 1yr
(Features of BM failure)
Fatigue, malaise, dyspnea (anemia)
Bleeding eg after dental procedure
Easy bruisability
Severe epistaxis
Fever (infections)
Bone Pain

11. Clinical Presentation
Signs
Pallor
Hemorrhage from the gums, epistaxis, skin, fundus, GI tract, urinary tract
Hepato-splenomegaly
Enlarged lymph nodes
Gum (hypertrophy) or skin infiltration (M5)
Fever (sepsis, pneumonia, peri-rectal abscess)

12. Differential Diagnosis
Aplastic anemia
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Multiple myeloma
Lymphomas
Severe megaloblastic anemia
Leukemoid reaction

13. Laboratory Tests CBC a. Anemia b. Trombocytopenia c. WBC
High Normal Low
Coagulation Studies (M3-DIC)
Biochemical Studies (U/E, LFT)
Cont..

14. Peripheral Blood smear – blasts in almost all cases
Bone Marrow Examination (>20% blasts)
Flow cyometry
(Surface immunophenotype of blast cells)
Cytogenetics (chromosomal analysis)
CSF analysis (all ALL patients, some AML)
HLA typing (for younger high risk patients)

15. Diagnostic methods of importance
Bone marrow aspirate & Romanowsky stain (morphology) Enumeration of blasts, maturing cells, recognition of dysplasia
Cytochemistry Myeloperoxidase, Sudan Black B, esterases to determine involved lineages
Immunophenotyping Defines blast cell lineage commitment as myeloid, lymphoid or biphenotypic
Cytogenetics & molecular studies (FISH, PCR) Detects clonal chromosomal abnormalities, including those of prognostic importance

16. Blood Film-Normal

17. Blood Film-Normal

18. Normal BM cells

19. AML

20. AML
Auer rods

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Plasma Cells, Acute myelomonocytic (M-4) leukemia
Clump of Plasma Cells most of which are small with a deep basophilic blue cytoplasm. Two cells in the center are partially smudged and show a paler cytoplasm and less dense and redder staining nuclear chromatin. Acute myelomonocytic (M-4) leukemia. Marrow - 100X
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Image ID:
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Clump of Plasma Cells most of which are small with a deep basophilic blue cytoplasm. Two cells in the center are partially smudged and show a paler cytoplasm and less dense and redder staining nuclear chromatin. Acute myelomonocytic (M-4) leukemia. Marrow - 100X

22. Four Immature Monocytes
Four Immature Monocytes. Two of the cells are shedding large Cytoplasmic Fragments which can resemble a Megathrombocyte and/or Platelets. Acute Monocytic Leukemia (M-5). Blood - 100X

23. Cytoplasmic Fragments from Leukemic Monocytes that resemble Platelets
Cytoplasmic Fragments from Leukemic Monocytes that resemble Platelets. Two fragments (top right and lower left) are probably valid platelets. Seven immature monocytes. Acute Monocytic Leukemia (M-5). Blood -100X

24. Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) Prognostic factors in AML
Age Above the age of 50 years the complete remission rate falls progressively
Cytogenetics Three risk groups defined
Good risk: patients with t(8;21), t(15;17) and inv/t(16)
Intermediate risk: Normal, +8, +21, +22, 7q-, 9q-, abnormal 11q23, all other
Poor risk: patients with -7, -5, 5q-, abnormal 3q and complex karyotypes
Wheatley K, Burnett AK, Goldstone AH et al. Br J Haem 1999; 107: 69-79
Grimwade D, Walker H, Oliver F et al. Blood 1998; 92:

25. Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) Prognostic factors in AML
Treatment response
Patients with >20% blasts in the marrow after first course of treatment have short remissions (if achieved) and poor overall survival
Secondary AML
Patients with AML following chemotherapy or myelodysplasia respond poorly
Trilineage myelodysplasia
Patients with trilineage myelodysplasia have a lower remission rate
Wheatley K, Burnett AK, Goldstone AH et al. Br J Haem 1999; 107: 69-79
Grimwade D, Walker H, Oliver F et al. Blood 1998; 92:

26. Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) Treatment and prognosis of AML
Intensive chemotherapy
Patients < 55 years old: 80% remissions
Patients > 55 years old: progressive reduction in remission rate
Bone marrow (stem cell) transplantation
Autologous and allogeneic transplants reduce the relapse rate
Importance of cytogenetics for prognosis in children and adults < 55 years old
Good risk cytogenetic group
91% remissions, 65% five year survival
Wheatley K, Burnett AK, Goldstone AH et al. Br J Haem 1999;107: 69-79
Grimwade D, Walker H, Oliver F et al. Blood 1998; 92:

27. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)
Prognostic factors in ALL
Poor Prognostic Factors
Age < 2 yrs and > 10 yrs
Male sex
High WBC count ( > 50 х109/L)
Presence of CNS disease
Cytogenetics Good risk Poor risk
Hyperdiploid (>50 ch) Hypodiploid,
t(9:22), t(4:11)
Bone Marrow: Blasts present on day 14
Day 28:No complete response

28. ALL
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

29. Bone Marrow-ALL

30. Treatment of acute leukemias
Specific therapy (chemotherapy)
Supportive treatment
Stages of Therapy
Induction
Consolidation
Maintenance

31. (Treatment of acute leukemias)
Induction
Obtained by using high doses of chemotherapy
Severe bone marrow hypoplasia
Allowing regrowth of normal residual stem cells to regrow faster than leukemic cells.
Remission
Normal neutrophil count
Normal platelet count
Normal hemoglobin level
Remission defined as < 5% blast in the bone marrow

32. (Treatment of acute leukemias)
Consolidation
Different or same drugs to those used during induction
Higher doses of chemotherapy
Advantage: Delays relapse and improved survival

33. (Treatment of acute leukemias)
Maintenance
Smaller doses for longer period
Produce low neutrophil counts & platelet counts
Objective is to eradicate progressively any remaining leukemic cells.

34. (Treatment of acute leukemias)
Supportive Care
Vascular access (Central line)
Prevention of vomiting
Blood products (Anemia, ↓Plat)
Prevention & treatment of infections
(antibiotics)
Management of metabolic complications

35. ALL vs AML ALL Induction Consolidation Maintenance
CNS prophylaxis all patients
AML
Induction
Consolidation
No maintenance
CNS – Selected group only

36. CHRONIC LEUKEMIAS
Definition: Neoplastic proliferations of mature haemopoeitic cells.
Types: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

37. CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA (CLL)
Neoplastic proliferations of mature
lymphocytes.
Distinguished from ALL by
Morphology of cells.
Degree of maturation of cells.
Immunologically immature blasts in ALL.
CLL affects mainly elderly.

38. SYMPTOMS of CLL May be entirely absent in 40%
Weakness, easy fatigue, vague sense
of being ill
Night sweats
Feeling of lumps
Infections esp pneumonia

39. PHYSICAL EXAMINAITON-CLL
Pallor
Lymphoadenopathy
a Cervical, supraclavicular nodes more commonly involved than axillary or inguino-femoral
b Non-tender, not painful, discrete, firm, easily movable on palpation
Splenomegely, mild to moderate
Hepatomegaly

40. CLINICAL STAGING-CLL Stage (0-1) - lymphocytosis  LNS.
(II) - above + hepatosplenomagely.
(III-IV) - Anaemia. Hb< 10 g/l
Thrombocytopenia.
Platelet count : <100x109/L.

41. LABORATORY TESTS-CLL CBC Lymphocyte count > 5 x 109/L
Platelets may be decreased
Hb may be low
Blood film
PB immunophenotyping
Bone marrow biopsy (needed before starting treatment)
Imaging

42. TREATMENT OF CLL Observation Chemotherapy. Oral chlorambucil
Fludarabine, cyclo
Immunotherapy Anti-CD 20 (rituximab),
Anti-CD 52 (Alemtuzumab)
FC-R is the current standard
Indications for starting chemotherapy
Progressive Symptoms
Progressive Anemia or Thrombocytopenia
Bulky LN, large spleen
Recurrent Infections

43. CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA
CML is a clonal stem cell disorder characterised by increased proliferation of myeloid elements at all stages of differentiation.
Incidence increases with age, M > F.

44. CML is characterised by 3 distinct phases
Chronic Phase:
Proliferation of myeloid cells, which show a full range of maturation.
Accelerated Phase decrease in myeloid differentiation occurs.
Blast crisis (acute leukemia)

45. CLINICAL PRESENTAITON OF CML
Symptoms
Asymptomatic (50% of patients)
Fatigue
Weight loss
Abdominal fullness and anorexia
Abdominal pain, esp splenic area
Increased sweating
Easy bruising or bleeding

46. SIGNS OF CML Splenomegaly (95%)
(50% of patients have a palpable spleen ≥ 10 cm BCM, Usually firm and non-tender)
Hepatomegaly (50%)
Sternal tenderness is a reliable sign of disease. Is usually limited to a small area, most commonly the midbody.(fifth intercostal disease).

47. DIAGNOSIS OF CML Chronic phase.
Peripheral blood – neutrophil leukocytes 20, >500, 000/ L basphilia  LAP score
blasts < 5%
Nucleated RBCs
Thrombocytosis
Anaemia

48. CYTOGENETICS OF CML Reciprocal translocation of
Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome is an acquired cytogenetic abnormality in all leukaemia cells in CML
Reciprocal translocation of
chromosomal material between
chromosome 22 and chromosome 9.
t(9;22)

54. CML. I mature neutrophil and 3 Basophils

55. CML-Treatment Response Criteria
Hematological response
Normalisation of blood count
Cytogenetic response
Major cytogenetic response
1-35% Ph +ve cells in metaphase
Minor cytogenetic response
36-65% Ph +ve cells in metaphase
Molecular response
Absence of BCR/ABL gene

56. CML-Principles of Treatment
Control & prolong chronic phase (non-curative)
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors-Imatinib (Glivec)
- Alpha-Interferon
- Oral chemotherapy (Hydroxyurea, ARA-C)
Eradicate malignant Clone (curative)
- Allogeneic BM/stem cell transplantation
- Alpha Interferon?
- Imatinib? 2nd line TKIs

57. TREATMENT OF CML
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Imatinib (Glivec) is the first line treatment
In resistent cases 2nd line TKIs (Nilotinib, Dasatinib, Bosutinib) very useful
Allogenic bone marrow trasnsplantation can be curative in pts resisrant to TKIs but has significant complications & mortality
Accelerated and blast phase
Glivec, 2nd line TKIs
Treat like AML or ALL followed by BMT

58. CML VS LEUKEMOID REACTION
LA P Score
Philadelphia Chromosome
Basophilia
Splenomegaly

59. transplantation in leukemias
Bone marrow or PBSC
transplantation in leukemias
Types of transplant
Autologous transplant
Allogeneic Transplant
Purpose of transplant
Autologous
-To deliver a high dose of chemo to kill any residual cancer
(lymphoma, multiple myeloma)
Allogeneic
-To eradicate residual leukemia cells
-Graft vs leukemia effect

60. transplantation in leukemias
Bone marrow or PBSC
transplantation in leukemias
Technique of transplantation
MHC + HLA matching
Chemotherapy
Total body irradiation
GVHD prophylaxis
Complications of transplantation
Prolonged BM suppression (graft failure)
Serious infections
Mucositis
Graft versus host disease (GVHD)

61. Complications of BMT