Leukaemia
Malaria (chronic, with splenomegaly), tropical splenomegaly syndrome, schistosomiasis, typhoid and brucellosis, tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, lymphoma and leukaemia (chronic myeloid), histoplasmosis, and hepatosplenic causes such as chronic liver disease with portal hypertension.
What our notes say
- Malaria (chronic, with splenomegaly), tropical splenomegaly syndrome, schistosomiasis, typhoid and brucellosis, tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, lymphoma and leukaemia (chronic myeloid), histoplasmosis, and hepatosplenic causes such as chronic liver disease with portal hypertension. (Junior Clerkship in Internal Medicine (MBIM4100) main exam, Paper One: 31 Januar)
- Topics tested: respiratory disease, sickle cell disease and anaemias, rheumatic fever, diabetes, TB, pulmonary embolism, connective tissue disease, HIV, gastroenterology, thyroid disease, gout, leukaemia and lymphoma, kidney disease and stroke. (Internal Medicine (MBIM 4100) main exam, Paper One: 3 July 2019)
- Treatments for leukaemia include all of the following, except: (Internal Medicine (MBIM 4100) main exam, Paper One: 3 July 2019)
- Topics tested: lupus and scleroderma, anaemias and bleeding disorders, lung and pleural disease, DVT and heart failure, HIV and antiretroviral therapy, gastroenterology, thyroid disease, gout, leukaemia and lymphoma, kidney disease and stroke. (Internal Medicine (MBIM 4100) special/supplementary exam, Paper Two: 14 August 2)
- An excess of blasts carries the highest chance of turning into acute leukaemia. (Internal Medicine (MBIM 4100) special/supplementary exam, Paper Two: 14 August 2)
- Other associations: duodenal atresia and Hirschsprung disease, hypothyroidism, leukaemia, hearing and eye problems (cataract, squint), atlantoaxial instability and recurrent chest infections. (Paediatrics Year 4 MBChB end of semester CAT: triage, newborn care, growth and d)
Study material on Leukaemia
- Haematology Exam 2025: MCQs on Anaemia, Leukaemia & Clotting
- Acute Leukaemia (AML/ALL) & WBC Disorders: Hematology Guide
- Hematologic Malignancies and Bleeding Disorders
- Internal Medicine (MBIM 4100) main exam, Paper One: 3 July 2019
- Hematopathology MCQs & Essays: MBChB Exam Revision Guide
- Haematology End of Year 2025 Past Paper — MKU MBML 3200 Questions & Answers
- Year 3: Haematology and Blood Transfusion Pathology
- White Cell Disorders — Must-Know Notes
- HEMATOLOGY EOY 2025
- Haematopathology MCQs: Blood Disorders & Anemia Explained
- Haematology Exam 2025: MCQs on Anaemia, Leukaemia & Clotting
- MCQ: High-Yield MCQs — Haematology (All Topics)
- MCQ: Hematopathology
- Hematology Exam MCQs: Anemia, Leukemia, Coagulation Prep
- Weekly Pathology Exam - July 24, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
- Weekly Pathology Exam - July 17, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
Practice questions on Leukaemia
A 35-year-old patient is diagnosed with lymphoma. Biopsy reveals TdT-positive cells. The presentation overlaps significantly with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. What is the diagnosis?
- Burkitt lymphoma
- Mantle cell lymphoma
- Lymphoblastic lymphoma
- Peripheral T-cell lymphoma
Answer: C. TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase) positivity is the hallmark of lymphoblastic lymphoma — it is negative in ALL other NHL types. Treated with ALL protocols. ---
Which virus is associated with Adult T-cell Leukaemia/Lymphoma?
- EBV
- HIV-1
- HTLV-1
- HHV-8
Answer: C. Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of Adult T-cell Leukaemia/Lymphoma. This is a must-know association. ---
Which BRAF mutation is present in >99% of Hairy Cell Leukaemia cases?
- BRAF V600E
- BRAF K601E
- BRAF G469A
- BRAF D594G
Answer: A. BRAF V600E mutation is present in >99% of hairy cell leukaemia cases, making it both diagnostic and a therapeutic target (vemurafenib). ---
A 62-year-old man presents with fatigue, fever and bruising. His full blood count shows WCC 40×10⁹/L with 25% circulating blasts, Hb 90 g/L and platelets 50×10⁹/L. Which investigation is required to definitively diagnose acute myeloid leukaemia?
- Bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy
- Computed tomography scan
- Flow cytometry of peripheral blood
- Peripheral blood smear
Answer: A. Although the peripheral smear already shows circulating blasts, definitive diagnosis and subclassification of AML require bone marrow examination — combining morphology, cytochemistry, immunophenotyping, and cytogenetic/molecular analysis. ---
Which chromosomal translocation is pathognomonic of chronic myeloid leukaemia?
- t(15;17)
- t(8;21)
- inv(16)
- t(9;22)(q34;q11)
Answer: D. This is the Philadelphia chromosome, producing the BCR-ABL fusion gene that defines CML. The other options are characteristic translocations of specific AML/ALL subtypes, not CML.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is characterized by accumulation of
- Mature T lymphocytes
- Immature B lymphoblasts
- Mature monoclonal B lymphocytes
- NK cells
Answer: C. CLL is a clonal proliferation of functionally incompetent mature B cells (CD5+, CD23+, CD19+) that accumulate in blood, marrow, and lymph nodes. ---