Browse topics
Haematology
45 notes, 138 questions and 398 flashcards.
Tier 1 is core knowledge expected of every trainee. Tier 2 is deeper or less common.
Key conditions
- Bony lytic lesionsMyeloma or metastasis? The causes of lytic bone lesions, the myeloma screen and imaging that answer it, IMWG criteria, fracture and cord compression risk, and bone-directed therapy.Tier 1, approach to a presentation, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Complications of blood transfusionAcute and delayed transfusion reactions, the first steps when a reaction starts, TRALI versus TACO, irradiated and CMV-safe components, massive transfusion problems, and Australian thresholds and reporting.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 10 flashcards
- Complications of immunosuppressionMatch the infection to the immune defect, treat neutropenic fever within the hour, know each immunosuppressant's signature toxicity, and prevent PJP, herpes viruses, hepatitis B, strongyloides and TB before they start.Tier 1, approach to a presentation, 3 questions, 10 flashcards
- Graft versus host diseaseAcute GVHD (skin, gut, liver; MAGIC grading) and chronic GVHD (NIH diagnostic and distinctive features, bronchiolitis obliterans), prophylaxis with PTCy or ATG, steroids first, ruxolitinib for steroid-refractory disease, and the infections and late effects that kill patients.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
Disorders of coagulation or thrombosis
- Disseminated intravascular coagulationThe ISTH 2025 definition and scores, the bleeding and thrombotic phenotypes, how to separate DIC from TTP, liver disease and snakebite coagulopathy, and when to give platelets, plasma, cryoprecipitate or heparin.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- ThrombophiliaInherited and acquired thrombophilias, who to test and when (ASH 2023, BSH 2022), drug and timing effects on the assays, antiphospholipid syndrome and why it rules out most DOACs, and contraception and pregnancy decisions.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Use of antifibrinolytic agentsHow tranexamic acid works, where trials show it helps (trauma within 3 hours, postpartum haemorrhage, surgery, heavy menstrual bleeding, dental extraction) and where it doesn't (GI bleeding, thrombocytopenia, DIC, upper urinary tract bleeding).Tier 1, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Venous thromboembolism: DVT, PE and complicationsPre-test probability and D-dimer strategies, PE severity (ESC 2019 and the 2026 AHA/ACC A to E categories), DOAC choice and its exceptions, who gets thrombolysis, how long to anticoagulate, and the late complications of CTEPH and post-thrombotic syndrome.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 10 flashcards
Haematological emergencies
- Febrile neutropeniaDefinition, antibiotics within 60 minutes, risk stratification with MASCC and CISNE, who can go home on oral antibiotics, what to do when fever persists, when to stop antibiotics, and G-CSF and prophylaxis.Tier 1, approach to a presentation, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Tumour lysis syndromeCairo-Bishop laboratory and clinical TLS, who is high risk (Burkitt, ALL, bulky lymphoma, venetoclax in CLL), prophylaxis with fluids plus allopurinol or rasburicase, G6PD checks, treating hyperkalaemia and hypocalcaemia safely, and when to dialyse.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
Haematological malignancies
- Acute leukaemia: AML, ALL and APLFree samplePresentation and emergencies (leucostasis, DIC, TLS), the work-up, ELN 2022 genetic risk in AML and the 2024 classification for venetoclax-azacitidine, intensive versus less-intensive AML treatment, ATRA and arsenic for APL with differentiation syndrome, and ALL regimens with blinatumomab and TKIs.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 10 flashcards
- Chronic leukaemia: CLL and CMLCLL diagnosis and staging, the iwCLL indications to treat, time-limited venetoclax combinations versus continuous BTK inhibitors, infection and autoimmune complications, Richter transformation; CML diagnosis, TKI choice and toxicity, the ELN 2025 molecular milestones and treatment-free remission.Tier 1, condition, 4 questions, 10 flashcards
- Hodgkin lymphomaReed-Sternberg cells and the CD15/CD30 phenotype, PET/CT staging and GHSG risk groups, ABVD plus radiotherapy in early stage, BrECADD or nivolumab-AVD in advanced stage, bleomycin lung, salvage with transplant, and lifelong late-effect surveillance.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 10 flashcards
- Myelodysplastic syndromesClonal cytopenias of older adults, the mimics to exclude first (B12, copper, alcohol, drugs), WHO 2022 and ICC classification, IPSS-R and IPSS-M risk, treating lower-risk disease for cytopenias (ESA, luspatercept, lenalidomide for del(5q)), and azacitidine or transplant for higher-risk disease.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Myeloproliferative neoplasmsThe BCR::ABL1-negative MPNs: JAK2, CALR and MPL drivers, WHO 2022 criteria for PV, ET and myelofibrosis, thrombotic risk groups, venesection to haematocrit under 0.45, aspirin, cytoreduction choices, JAK inhibitors and transplant in myelofibrosis.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Non-Hodgkin lymphomaIndolent versus aggressive NHL, the infections and immune states behind them, excision biopsy and PET staging, IPI and FLIPI, R-CHOP and Pola-R-CHP for DLBCL, CAR-T and bispecifics at relapse, watch and wait in follicular lymphoma, mantle cell, marginal zone, Burkitt, Waldenström and T-cell lymphomas.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 10 flashcards
- Plasma cell dyscrasias and multiple myelomaMGUS and its follow-up, smouldering myeloma and the 2/20/20 model, IMWG myeloma criteria, ISS and the 2025 IMS/IMWG high-risk definition, transplant-eligible VRd and transplant-ineligible DRd with Australian PBS access, cast nephropathy, VTE and infection prophylaxis, and relapse options.Tier 1, condition, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
Increase in cell counts
- LeucocytosisA high white cell count by cell line: reactive neutrophilia versus CML, lymphocytosis and flow cytometry, monocytosis, eosinophilia with Strongyloides and PDGFRA, leucoerythroblastic films, spurious counts and the urgent problem of hyperleucocytosis.Tier 1, approach to a presentation, 3 questions, 7 flashcards
- PolycythaemiaA high haematocrit: confirming it, apparent versus absolute erythrocytosis, JAK2 and serum EPO as the first tests, hypoxic, drug (testosterone, SGLT2 inhibitor) and tumour causes, venesection targets in PV, testosterone thresholds and when secondary erythrocytosis needs venesection.Tier 1, approach to a presentation, 3 questions, 8 flashcards
- ThrombocytosisA platelet count over 450 x 10^9/L: telling reactive from clonal, iron deficiency and occult cancer as the usual reactive causes, when to send JAK2, CALR, MPL and BCR::ABL1, acquired von Willebrand syndrome above 1,000, and why reactive thrombocytosis doesn't need aspirin.Tier 1, approach to a presentation, 3 questions, 8 flashcards
Reduction in cell counts
- Anaemia: approach and common causesFree sampleWorking up a low haemoglobin with the MCV and reticulocyte count, the haemolysis screen, B12 and folate deficiency (NICE 2024 B12 thresholds, nitrous oxide, pernicious anaemia), anaemia of inflammation and CKD, macrocytosis without megaloblasts, and restrictive transfusion.Tier 1, approach to a presentation, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- NeutropeniaA low neutrophil count: grading by infection risk, Duffy-null associated neutrophil count, drug-induced agranulocytosis (carbimazole, clozapine, sulfasalazine, co-trimoxazole), post-viral, nutritional and autoimmune causes, LGL leukaemia and Felty syndrome, cyclic neutropenia, and when to biopsy the marrow.Tier 1, approach to a presentation, 3 questions, 8 flashcards
- Thrombocytopenia: ITP, TTP and HITA low platelet count: excluding pseudothrombocytopenia, thresholds for bleeding and procedures (AABB/ICTMG 2025), ITP diagnosis and treatment (ANZ 2022, McMaster 2026 critical bleeding), TTP with PLASMIC and plasma exchange (ISTH 2025 update), HIT with the 4Ts, drug-induced and pregnancy causes.Tier 1, approach to a presentation, 4 questions, 10 flashcards
Less common or complex conditions
- AmyloidosisAL, ATTR and AA amyloid, the red flags that should prompt a light chain screen, why tissue typing matters when a monoclonal protein and a positive bone scan coexist, Mayo cardiac staging, and daratumumab with CyBorD (PBS) for AL.Tier 2, condition, 3 questions, 8 flashcards
- Aplastic anaemia and bone marrow failurePancytopenia with an empty marrow. Causes including inherited marrow failure, Camitta severity, separating aplastic anaemia from hypoplastic MDS and PNH, matched sibling transplant versus horse ATG, ciclosporin and eltrombopag (PBS-listed), and supportive care.Tier 2, condition, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Cutaneous manifestations of haematological disease and cutaneous lymphomaSkin signs that point to a blood disorder (leukaemia cutis, Sweet syndrome, aquagenic pruritus, amyloid purpura, paraneoplastic pemphigus) and the primary cutaneous lymphomas: mycosis fungoides, Sézary syndrome, staging and EORTC 2023 stage-based treatment, with PBS chlormethine gel (2024) and mogamulizumab (2026).Tier 2, condition, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Haemolytic disordersClassifying haemolysis (intravascular or extravascular, immune or not), reading the DAT and film, warm AIHA (prednisolone, early rituximab), cold agglutinin disease, drug-induced haemolysis, hereditary spherocytosis, G6PD deficiency and oxidant drugs, PNH with complement inhibitors and their vaccination needs, and the complications that catch people out.Tier 2, condition, 3 questions, 10 flashcards
Bleeding disorders
- Haemophilia A and BX-linked factor VIII and IX deficiency. Severity by factor level, the isolated long APTT, treating suspected head bleeds before imaging, factor dosing, emicizumab and its lab effects, desmopressin in mild haemophilia A, inhibitors, carriers, and acquired haemophilia A.Tier 2, condition, 4 questions, 9 flashcards
- Von Willebrand diseaseThe commonest inherited bleeding disorder: when to suspect it, the bleeding score and VWF panel, the 0.30 and 0.50 IU/mL thresholds (ASH/ISTH 2021, reaffirmed 2025), desmopressin trials and its traps, heavy menstrual bleeding, surgery and pregnancy, and acquired von Willebrand syndrome.Tier 2, condition, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
Investigations and procedures
- Full blood count and blood film interpretationFree sampleReading an FBC step by step: what the analyser measures and calculates, adult reference ranges, absolute counts, spurious results (EDTA clumping, cold agglutinins, lipaemia), the film findings that name a diagnosis, schistocyte thresholds, and worked examples.Tier 1, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Basic coagulation tests: aPTT, PT/INR, D-dimer and fibrinogenWhat the PT/INR, APTT, fibrinogen, thrombin time and D-dimer measure, the patterns that point to each cause, mixing studies, sample artefacts, and when a result should change what you do.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Blood group testsABO and RhD grouping, the antibody screen, electronic, immediate-spin and IAT crossmatches, sample validity under the ANZSBT 2025 guidelines, emergency group O issue, and interference from daratumumab and other monoclonal antibodies.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Bone marrow aspirate and trephineWhat the aspirate and trephine each show, who needs a marrow and who doesn't, how to read a report from cellularity to blasts, plasma cells, iron and fibrosis, and the mimics that fool it.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- CT and PET scans in lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphomaWhen CT is enough and when FDG PET/CT is needed, size thresholds for nodes and spleen, FDG avidity by lymphoma type, the Deauville scale and Lugano response, MBS PET items, and the false positives that mislead.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Cytogenetic and molecular studies in haematological malignancyKaryotype, FISH, PCR and NGS: what each test finds, how to read the nomenclature and a variant allele fraction, the lesions that define and risk-stratify CML, APL, AML, MPN, CLL, lymphoma, myeloma and MDS, and the sample and interpretation traps.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Iron studiesWhat ferritin, serum iron, transferrin and transferrin saturation measure, the RCPA and ASH 2026 ferritin thresholds, reading iron studies in inflammation, the patterns of deficiency, inflammation, overload and recent iron, and worked examples.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 7 flashcards
- Lymph node biopsyWhen a node needs tissue, choosing excision, core biopsy, FNA or EBUS, which node to take, how to send it (fresh for flow and genetics, culture for TB), reading the pathology report, and the traps: steroids before biopsy, FNA for lymphoma, and the non-diagnostic reactive result.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 7 flashcards
- Peripheral blood and bone marrow immunophenotypingWhat flow cytometry measures, when to send peripheral blood rather than marrow, reading a report step by step (lineage, clonality, maturity), the CLL score and its mimics, blast phenotypes, PNH clone testing and MRD, and the traps.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 8 flashcards
- Serum and urine electrophoresis, immunofixation and free light chainsWhat SPEP, immunofixation, urine studies and serum free light chains each detect, which combination to order for myeloma, AL amyloid and neuropathy, reading the FLC ratio with renal function (iStopMM eGFR ranges), IMWG response thresholds and the 2025 to 2026 revision, and the traps: daratumumab bands, fibrinogen, beta-region IgA and light chain MGUS.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 9 flashcards
- Serum B12 and folate levelsWhen to test B12 and folate under the July 2025 MBS rules, reading total B12 and active B12 (holotranscobalamin) against NICE 2024 bands, using MMA and homocysteine for the grey zone, why serum folate is rarely low in Australia, and the traps: pregnancy, nitrous oxide, intrinsic factor antibody interference, CKD and recent treatment.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 8 flashcards
- Skeletal survey and imaging in myelomaWhich imaging to order across the plasma cell spectrum (low-risk MGUS, higher-risk MGUS, smouldering myeloma, myeloma, plasmacytoma, relapse), why the skeletal survey has gone, what whole-body low-dose CT, MRI and PET-CT each show, reading the report against IMWG criteria, and Australian Medicare funding gaps.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 8 flashcards
- Tests for patients on DOACsWhat the PT, aPTT and thrombin time can and can't tell you on a DOAC, drug-calibrated anti-Xa assays and the dilute thrombin time, when a level changes management (bleeding, urgent surgery, thrombolysis), and how DOACs distort thrombophilia and heparin assays.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 8 flashcards
- Tests of haemolysisHow to read the haemolysis screen: reticulocyte count, LDH, unconjugated bilirubin, haptoglobin and the direct antiglobulin test, with their reference ranges, typical patterns (intravascular, extravascular, ineffective erythropoiesis, spurious), accuracy and traps.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 8 flashcards
- Thrombophilia screensWhat a thrombophilia screen contains, how each assay works, the reference ranges and cut-offs, how acute thrombosis, heparin, warfarin, DOACs, pregnancy and oestrogen distort the results, and worked examples of reading a screen.Tier 2, medical sciences concept, 3 questions, 8 flashcards