What is the common presentation of Chronic myeloid leukaemia?

anaemia: lethargy weight loss and sweating are common splenomegaly may be marked → abdo discomfort

What patient groups is Chronic myeloid leukaemia most common?

60-70 years

What is the management of Chronic myeloid leukaemia?

• imatinib is now considered first-line treatment
• hydroxyurea
• interferon-alpha
• allogenic bone marrow transplant

What is seen on bloods in Chronic myeloid leukaemia?

• an increase in granulocytes at different stages of maturation +/- thrombocytosis
• decreased leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
• may undergo blast transformation (AML in 80%, ALL in 20%)

What chromosome is usually found in patients with Chronic myeloid leukaemia?

Philadelphia chromosome

What is the cause of the Philadelphia chromosome?

translocation between the long arm of chromosome 9 and 22 - t(9:22)(q34; q11)

What is the pathophysiology of Chronic myeloid leukaemia?

The abnormal BCR-ABL gene codes for a fusion protein that has tyrosine kinase activity in excess of normal.

What is the method of action of imatinib?

inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase