Acute Leukemia

Leukemia comprises an hematological malignancy that is characterized by abnormal raise of pluripotent and progenitor stem cells of the white blood cells in blood and/or in bone marrow. Leukemia is a general term that encompasses a wide range of diseases affecting blood, bone marrow and the lymphoid system, also known as hematological malignancies. From a clinical and pathological view, leukemia divides in a subcategories of wide range. Acute leukemia is one group of diseases that require immediate diagnosis and therapeutic treatment. The aim of the present lecture is to introduce the medical student into the understanding of leukemia as an hematological malignancy, as well as the presentation of differential diagnosis, classification and therapeutic approach of acute leukemia.

Objectives

After the completion of this lecture the medical student will gain a complete understanding of acute leukemia. In particular, the medical student will be able to: 1.Define leukemia. 2. Classify leukemia into clinical subcategories. 3. Identify acute leukemia. 4. Classify acute leukemia into clinical subcategories (myeloblastic, lymphoblastic). 5. Comprehend the basic principles of differential diagnosis and therapeutic approach of acute leukemia. 6. Comprehend the basic principles of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Prerequisites

https://eclass.upatras.gr/courses/MED1083/ https://eclass.upatras.gr/courses/MED1085/

Syllabus

Section #1: Leukemia: Definition-Classification 1. The Blood 2. Hematopoiesis 3. Haematological malignancies 4. Leukemia: Definition 5. Leukemia: Classification Section #2: Diagnosis & Classification of Acute Myeloid Leukemia 1. Classification 2. Introduction into acute leukemia 3. Acute Leukemia 4. Clinical features 5. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Section #3: Diagnosis & Classification of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia 1. Classification 2. Introduction into acute leukemia 3. Acute Leukemia 4. Clinical features 5. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Section #4: Therapeutic approach of acute leukemias and bone marrow transplantation 1. Therapeutic approach according to prognostic markers 2. Chemotherapy 3. Bone Marrow Transplantation 4. History 5. Principles of Bone Marrow Transplantation