Pathology for NEET-PG
Leukaemias and Lymphomas for NEET-PG
Leukaemias and lymphomas cover the malignancies of white cells and lymphoid tissue, and their classification, genetics, and morphology are heavily tested in NEET-PG. The topic separates acute from chronic leukaemias and Hodgkin from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, then attaches each entity to its characteristic age group, genetic marker, and diagnostic cell. Because many questions name a translocation or a cell type and ask for the diagnosis, the association map is the core deliverable. Examiners emphasise the translocations such as the Philadelphia chromosome, the Reed-Sternberg cell of Hodgkin lymphoma, the Auer rods of acute myeloid leukaemia, and the age peaks that distinguish the leukaemias. Staining, immunophenotype, and the clinical picture round out the diagnostic reasoning. The topic connects to pharmacology through targeted therapy and to general medicine. Common traps include confusing the translocations between entities, mixing up which leukaemia predominates at which age, and forgetting the specific morphological hallmark that clinches each diagnosis.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Leukaemias and Lymphomas for NEET-PG
Leukaemias and lymphomas cover the malignancies of white cells and lymphoid tissue, and their classification, genetics, and morphology are heavily tested in NEET-PG. The topic separates acute from chronic leukaemias and Hodgkin from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, then attaches each entity to its characteristic age group, genetic marker, and diagnostic cell. Because many questions name a translocation or a cell type and ask for the diagnosis, the association map is the core deliverable. Examiners emphasise the translocations such as the Philadelphia chromosome, the Reed-Sternberg cell of Hodgkin lymphoma, the Auer rods of acute myeloid leukaemia, and the age peaks that distinguish the leukaemias. Staining, immunophenotype, and the clinical picture round out the diagnostic reasoning. The topic connects to pharmacology through targeted therapy and to general medicine. Common traps include confusing the translocations between entities, mixing up which leukaemia predominates at which age, and forgetting the specific morphological hallmark that clinches each diagnosis.
Leukaemias and lymphomas cover the malignancies of white cells and lymphoid tissue, and their classification, genetics, and morphology are heavily tested in NEET-PG. The topic separates acute from chronic leukaemias and Hodgkin from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, then attaches each entity to its characteristic age group, genetic marker, and diagnostic cell. Because many questions name a translocation or a cell type and ask for the diagnosis, the association map is the core deliverable. Examiners emphasise the translocations such as the Philadelphia chromosome, the Reed-Sternberg cell of Hodgkin lymphoma, the Auer rods of acute myeloid leukaemia, and the age peaks that distinguish the leukaemias. Staining, immunophenotype, and the clinical picture round out the diagnostic reasoning. The topic connects to pharmacology through targeted therapy and to general medicine. Common traps include confusing the translocations between entities, mixing up which leukaemia predominates at which age, and forgetting the specific morphological hallmark that clinches each diagnosis.
Key points
- **Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia:** The commonest childhood leukaemia; TdT positive lymphoblasts, and t(12;21) carries a good prognosis.
- **Acute myeloid leukaemia:** Myeloblasts with Auer rods; acute promyelocytic leukaemia carries t(15;17) and responds to all-trans retinoic acid.
- **Chronic myeloid leukaemia:** Philadelphia chromosome t(9;22) producing BCR-ABL; treated with imatinib and prone to blast crisis.
- **Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia:** Older adults with mature lymphocytes and smudge cells on the smear; often indolent.
- **Hodgkin lymphoma:** Reed-Sternberg cells are diagnostic; spreads contiguously between lymph node groups with a bimodal age distribution.
- **Burkitt lymphoma:** t(8;14) involving MYC; starry sky appearance and association with Epstein-Barr virus, especially the endemic African form.
- **Follicular lymphoma:** t(14;18) overexpressing BCL2; an indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma of adults.
- **Mantle cell lymphoma:** t(11;14) overexpressing cyclin D1; an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- **Multiple myeloma:** Plasma cell malignancy with lytic bone lesions, hypercalcaemia, renal failure, and a monoclonal spike; Rouleaux formation on smear.
- **Age associations:** Acute lymphoblastic in children, acute myeloid in adults, chronic myeloid in middle age, and chronic lymphocytic in the elderly.
- **Auer rods vs smudge cells:** Auer rods indicate acute myeloid leukaemia; smudge cells indicate chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which translocation goes with which leukaemia or lymphoma?
t(9;22) with chronic myeloid leukaemia, t(15;17) with acute promyelocytic leukaemia, t(8;14) with Burkitt, t(14;18) with follicular, and t(11;14) with mantle cell lymphoma.
How do I separate Hodgkin from non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Hodgkin lymphoma shows Reed-Sternberg cells and spreads contiguously between adjacent node groups. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma lacks Reed-Sternberg cells and often spreads non-contiguously.
Which leukaemia is commonest at each age?
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children, acute myeloid leukaemia in adults, chronic myeloid leukaemia in middle age, and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in older adults.
What are Auer rods and where are they seen?
Auer rods are needle-like cytoplasmic inclusions of fused granules seen in the myeloblasts of acute myeloid leukaemia, especially the promyelocytic subtype.
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