02404 - Haematology

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student possesses the fundamentals of developing laboratory technologies in the area of pathophysiology of the hemolymphopoietic system, with a background that allows this figure to interact with clinical medicine.

Course contents

Hematology

Knowledge and skills to be attained

Upon completion of the course, the student possesses the knowledge to interpret the presenting laboratory data of the major diseases of the blood and hemolymphopoietic system, both neoplastic and non-neoplastic, such as anemias, acute and chronic myeloproliferative syndromes, monoclonal gammopathies, plateletopenias, and coagulation diseases. The student also learns the main concepts related to the application of first- and second-level laboratory techniques to the diagnosis of major diseases of the blood and hemolymphopoietic system, acquiring a background that enables this figure to interact in the field of clinical medicine.

The following topics will be covered in the course of the lectures:

Anemias: classification, laboratory pictures, diagnosis and differential diagnosis

Acute myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative syndromes: laboratory pictures, application of first- and second-level laboratory techniques to diagnosis and differential diagnosis

Myeloproliferative and chronic lymphoproliferative syndromes: laboratory pictures, application of first- and second-level laboratory techniques to diagnosis and differential diagnosis

Monoclonal gammopathies: laboratory pictures, application of level I and II laboratory techniques to diagnosis and differential diagnosis

Plateletopenias: classification, laboratory pictures, diagnosis and differential diagnosis

Congenital and acquired coagulation diseases: classification, laboratory pictures, diagnosis and differential diagnosis

Readings/Bibliography

S. Tura, Corso di Malattie del sangue e degli organi emopoietici, Società editrice ESCULAPIO, ultima edizione.

Harrison, Principles of Internal Medicine (capitoli relativi)

Teaching methods

Detailed program.

Hemolymphopoiesis: hierarchical organization. Stem cells. Bone marrow microenvironment and growth factors.
Erythropoiesis and erythropoietin.
Anemias. Pathogenetic classification. Diagnosis, clinical symptoms and signs, main laboratory tests, blood count.
Anemias from reduced erythroblastogenesis.
Anemias from reduced erythrocytogenesis. Ineffective erythropoiesis. Vitamin B12 and folic acid/folate metabolism. Megaloblastic anemias: laboratory pictures.
Anemias from impaired hemoglobin synthesis. Thalassemias, with special reference to beta-thalassemias: laboratory pictures. Beta-thalassemias minor. Cooley's disease.
Iron metabolism. Siderocarence and sideropenic anemia: laboratory pictures.
Physiological and pathological hemolysis: causes, laboratory pictures. Spherocytosis. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Hemolytic anemias from enzyme and immune deficiencies.Leukemias: etiopathogenetic causes and molecular basis. Acute and chronic leukemias.
Acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemias: cytologic features, genetic-molecular alterations, laboratory pictures ofmpresentation.
Myeloproliferative and chronic lymphoproliferative syndromes: genetic-molecular alterations, laboratory pictures of presentation.
Monoclonal gammopathies. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma: genetic-molecular alterations, laboratory pictures
Megakaryocytopathies and plateletopenias. Pathogenetic classification of plateletopenias, diagnosis, laboratory tests. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (Werlhof's disease).
Notes on congenital and acquired coagulopathies.

Assessment methods

The examination for the course in hematology (C.I.) will be conducted orally

Office hours

See the website of Michele Cavo