
Basics to Brilliance: Haematology Podcast
Welcome to Basics to Brilliance, the Haematology podcast created to supplement & bolster your knowledge for the FRCPath Part 1.
Featuring a two way, non-didactic conversational-style Q&A between the SpR and SHO, this podcast will be your pocket companion no matter where you are.
We aim to cover:
- Malignant and non-malignant topics
- The whole syllabus for FRCPath part 1
- Review UK guidelines
- Go into science/lab detail
- Discuss how guidelines often translate into practice
- Review and appraise hallmark trials
- Discuss future research directions
All readily accessible and completely free of charge!
For every budding haematologist out there, we hope this podcast aids you in your endeavours and fills you with interest and excitement for the brilliant world of Haematology.
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Everden
Dr. Fasey
Dr. Jafri
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended as a revision aid and should not be used for the medical management of patients. Guidelines in the initial episodes span 2023/2024. We aim to update our content in accordance with the most recent available guidelines when possible.
Basics to Brilliance: Haematology Podcast
Primary CNS Lymphoma
CNS Lymphomas
1% of all NHL
3% of all Brain tumours
Most common subtype (90%) is DLBCL
Clinical division:
1. 1* CNS lymphoma,
2. 2* CNS lymphoma
- TN-SCNSL
- RI-SCNSL
- RC-SCNSL
3. Immune deficiency assoc- HIV; better prog.
Presentation:
- SOL Sx
- Raised ICP: morning headaches w N+V
- Neuropsych, Behavioural, Memory, Language
- Focal motor + Stroke Sx
- Seizures
- Visual Sx and uveitis
Investigations:
- FBC + Blood film (exclude 2* CNS lymphoma and BM), GFR, U&Es
- LDH (prog.)
- Virology (Hep+HIV)
- IGs, SPEp (paraprotein)
- Stereotactic Brain Bx w/ IO rapid cytology and rv of frozen sections
NB: Steroids pre-biopsy ?non-diagnostic results
- LP:
.Leptomeningeal*
.CSF protein- prognostic
.Flow
.Cytospin
.PCR for IGHV r.
- CT Head
- MRI H (w gadolinium) +/- spine
Staging:
-R/O systemic lymphoma
-PET/CT
-US Testes
-Opthalmoscopy/fundoscopy +/- Vitreal biopsy +/- subretinal aspirate
-?BMBx
Pre-treatment:
-Baseline neuropsych + cognitive ax
-Premorbid performance status: ECOG, Echo, GFR, PMHx
Dx w/o Bx
-MRI
-Clinical features
-Clonal B cells in CSF/Vitreous fluid and/or PCR IGHV rearrangement
Treatment:
Induction main:
- MATRIX- younger <70
- MARTA- older >65
Consolidation:
- Whole brain RT
- BCNU Thiotepa AutoSCT- gold standard if fit...Within 6-8 weeks of the 1st day of final induction: consider for all patients with non-progressive disease (EOT MRI)
Trials:
IELSG32 study (Leukemia, 2022)- induction + consolidation choices for < 70
Induction: 3 arms, MTX + Cyt main
- MATRIX- MTX +Cyt + Thiotepa + Ritux -> AutoSCT…..best choice (4 cycles)...7yr 70% survival
Consolidation: efficacy equal AutoSCT and WB-RT, favoured AutoSCT for Sx.
...MATRIX regimen available on NSSG:
- Dose ++ to cross BBB
- Folinic Acid rescue*
- IVF till MTX levels <0.1 umol/L (1st lvl 48hrs after MTX)
- EF >45%
- GFR >50
NB: stop co-trimoxazole, penicillins, aspirin, NSAIDs, PPIs (inhibit MTX clearance)
- MTX build up in 3rd spaces
- Stem cell harvest post #2
- Treatment related mortality 4-7% mostly in #1
- Dose reduce Cytaribin (2/3instead of 4 cycles) if pre-morbid, 25-50% total
MARTA study (Blood, Nov 22): fit for autosct and >65
- 2x MTX, cytarabin and rituximab ->AutoSCT
PRIMAIN study(2017): not fit for autosct >= 65
1. 4x MTX, Ritux + PO procarbazine
2. 6mo of PO procarbazine as maintenance
?WB-RT for residual disease
- Palliative if unfit and older:
Dex
Temozolomide
WB-RT
?IT Chemo in leptomeningeal
IELSG43 study… favoured AutoSCT PFS and OS to de-escalation consol.
Follow Up:
- Response Ax with contrast enhanced MRI scan: 1-2mo after consol.
- Rpt MRI every 3-4mo for 2 years ++-
- CR: MRI NAD, normal eye, clear CSF
- Stable: <50% decrease, <25% increase
- PR: 50% tumor reduction ?persistent CSF
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'Basics to Brilliance: Haematology Podcast' has been accredited for CPD credit by the Royal College of Pathologists UK.
Medical professionals and clinical scientists holding career-grade positions, who are registered with any of the Royal Colleges for CPD, will be eligible to earn 1 credit for every hour of learning.
Email: basicstobrilliancehaem@gmail.com
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