Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a chronic B-cell malignancy that involves proliferation of neoplastic clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow with circulating monoclonal immunoglobulins or constituent chains in serum or urine or both. It is a rare cancer with a lifetime risk of 0.76% and an age-adjusted incidence rate of 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an infrequent disease, and it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It harbors a unique configuration of cytogenetic abnormalities and molecular mutations that can be detected using microscopic and molecular methods respectively. These genetic tests are core elements of diagnosis and prognostication in high-income countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Imatinib is the gold standard for the treatment of all phases of Philadelphia positive Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). During treatment, patients may develop cytopenia. We aimed to study the baseline characteristics and factors associated with cytopenia at a Nairobi Hospital.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlasma Cell Leukemia (PCL) is a rare and aggressive form of plasma cell dyscrasia that can arise either de novo (primary plasma cell leukemia) or evolve from previously diagnosed and treated multiple myeloma (secondary PCL). We highlight three clinical cases with very different presentations as a reminder of this diagnosis. The cases also highlight the diversity and variability that cover a patient's journey that is highly dependent on accessibility based on financial capability and social support.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Imatinib mesylate is the gold standard for the treatment of all phases of Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Patients on imatinib treatment may develop cytopenia due to drug toxicity. This study aimed to determine the types, grades, and time course of cytopenia in CML patients on imatinib at a Nairobi hospital.
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