Lymphatic leukaemia

In a case-control study within a cohort of 6678 rubber workers in the United States (lARC, 1987) (Wilcosky et al., 1984), one of the substances assessed was xylene, which was analysed as a potential risk factor in relation to each of five cancer types. There were somewhat increased odds ratios (OR) for prostate cancer (OR, 1.5 n = 8), lymphosarcoma (OR, 3.7 n = 4 p < 0.05) and lymphatic leukaemia (OR, 3.3 n = 4). [The Working Group noted that workers were typically exposed to multiple exposures.]... 

In acute myeloid leukaemia or lymphatic leukaemia as well as in acute leukaemic episodes in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, involvement of the liver may only be detectable clinically by the presence of hepatomegaly and subicterus. Laboratory parameters usually show slightly elevated transaminase as well as bilirubin values, and distinct cholestasis is occasionally observed. (7) Acute hepatic failure can occur during the course of acute leukaemia, (l, 8,26,65) Histologically, there are massive, yet uniform blast-cell infiltrates these are found mainly within the portal fields in acute lymphatic leukaemia (about 95%) and within the sinusoids in acute myeloid leukaemia (about 75%). Involvement of the liver is of no consequence with regard to the underlying disease and its therapy. Secondary infections require systemic treatment with antibiotics and/or antimycotics. 

Fig. 38.10 Chronic lymphatic leukaemia dense portal lymphoid cell infiltration (HE)...

O Meara A, Daly M, Hallinan FH. Increased antithrombin III concentration in children with acute lymphatic leukaemia receiving L-asparaginase therapy. Med Pediatr Oncol 1988 16(3) 169-74. 

VINDESINE is given i.v. in a dose of 3 mg/ m once weekly in the treatment of lung cancer (not the type with small cells), malignant melanoma and acute lymphatic leukaemia in children. 

The Friend spleen focus-forming virus encodes a glycoprotein (mol. wt. 5.5x10 ). Although it appears to be structurally related to the lymphatic leukaemia viral glycoprotein (mol. wt. 7.5 X 10 ), the former glycoprotein has distinctive structural features in the polypeptide portion of the molecule. 

In much the same way, a cultured line of lymphoblasts, from lymphatic leukaemia in the mouse, became resistant to methotrexate through a decrease in the transport of this drug, effected by modifying the plasma membrane (Hill et aL, 1979). It was already known that, in mouse leukaemia, the survival time of the leukaemic cell suspensions is inversely proportional to the rate of uptake of methotrexate (. 7), but this rate begins to decline soon after treatment is instigated (Kessel et aL, 1965). This phenomenon has not been demonstrated in human leukaemia. 

The clinical presentation of these two types of priapism is different. HFP is often seen after an acute injury, and the onset can be delayed. This delayed onset may be due to initial vessel spasm, hemostasis with clot formation or a compressing hematoma. Reabsorption of this clot or hematoma is the mechanism for the late onset. The HFP is often less tumescent when compared with venous priapism. Priapism secondary to arterial causes maybe, as mentioned before, significantly less painful than venous priapism and is not considered as an emergency. The major etiology of HFP is trauma, especially in children or young adults in older men, HFP is a rare event mainly caused by malignancy [2]. High-flow priapism in acute lymphatic leukaemia has also been reported [3]. 

Mentzel HJ, Kentouche K, Doerfel C, Vogt S, Zintl F, Kaiser WA High-flow priapism in acute lymphatic leukaemia. Pediatr Radiol 34 560-563... 

Hypogamma-globulinemia Chronic lymphatic leukaemia, multiple myeloma... 

A rare group of diseases in which there is ar excess production of a protein which can be identified as part of the heavy chain of the immunoglobulin molecule. A paraprotein can be found in the blood in many of these cases. Five types of disease are theoretically possible but only three have been reported. Heavy chains of the 7 type are produced in a generalized lymphoma (Franklin s disease). Heavy chains of the type are produced in a chronic lymphatic leukaemia, while heavy chains of the a type are found in an intestinal lymphoma. 

This alkylating agent acts on the haemo-poietic system, and particularly pronounced on the lymphoid series. It has been found to be effective in chronic lymphatic leukaemia, the non-Hodgkin lymphomas, Hodgkin s disease and in macroglobulinaemia. On the whole toxicity is slight, gastrointestinal intolerance is relatively uncommon and bone marrow depression is a late unavoidable complication. 

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