Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 Acute Myelogenous Acute myelogenous, also known as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is the cancerous disorder of white blood cells wherein the bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts, RBC, or blood platelets. These myeloblasts are immature white blood cells. In this type of cancer, immature white blood cells surround the bone marrow so that the normal production of blood cells is obstructed. Further, they transfer and circulate in the bloodstream and the normal functioning of the WBC to fight infection is affected. Inadequate amounts of red blood cells and platelets are produced, which causes anemia, abnormal bleeding, and bruising. Acute myeloid leukemia is caused from the damage of one or more genes that stimulate the development of blood cells. People who are exposed to high radiation doses, industrial chemicals like benzene, and cancer-causing substances like tobacco smoke have high risk of AML. The symptoms of AML are anemia and related diseases, frequent and repeated infections with slow healing process, and increased bleeding or bruising. This disorder is diagnosed by testing the full blood count and performing a biopsy of the bone marrow. Chronic Myelogenous Chronic myelogenous leukemia, also known as myeloid leukemia (CML), is a white blood cell disorder in which the blood cells of the bone marrow get affected and cause a change in the red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells, except lymphocytes. These cells are partly matured unlike with acute myeloid leukemia. These alterations in the blood cells cause the formation of an abnormal gene known as BCR-ABL, which transforms in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells. Later on, these cells grow, split, build up in bone marrow, and run in the bloodstream. Over time, these cells settle in organs such as the spleen. This form of leukemia generally affects adults in middle age and rarely affects children. Symptoms of CML include tiredness, abnormal and unreasonable weight loss, sweating at night, fever, and pain at the left ribs. It can be diagnosed by physical examination, understanding patient history, complete blood count with differential test, blood chemistry studies, and bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Treatment options include targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitor, high dose chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and splenectomy. Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is the cancer of plasma cells found in the white blood cells of the body. It resides in the soft tissues of bones. The function of plasma cells is to stimulate antibodies, which combat infections in the body. There is no definite cure of multiple myeloma but treatment helps the patient live longer and decrease the pain. As the cancerous plasma cells grow, they surround the healthy white and red blood cells and platelets, which impair the normal functioning of these cells. Slowly, these cells enter the bloodstream and start impacting the functioning of the organs. Multiple myeloma causes anemia, kidney failure, and bone diseases. The certain cause of this cancer is not known but it is predominantly related to the mutation of genes that cause the cancerous cells to grow exponentially. Major symptoms of this disorder include loss of appetite, weakness, pain in Achieve Page 41