Leukemia

Leukemia is generally referred to as cancer of the blood cells. Although this definition is correct, however, it would be more accurate to refer to it as a disorder of the bone marrow. Given below are more facts about leukemia.

Blood is composed of a colorless fluid known as plasma along with three types of blood cells: Red Blood Cells (RBCs), or erythrocytes, which contains hemoglobin in order to carry oxygen to the tissues of the body; White Blood Cells (WBCs), or leukocytes, which helps in fighting infections; and Platelets, also referred to as thrombocytes, which help in controlling bleeding by forming blood clots.

It is in the bone marrow, which is the spongy, soft matter in the center of bones, that these blood cells are formed. New, or immature, blood cells are known as blasts. While some of these remain in the marrow in order to mature, others travel and mature in other areas of the body.

In the normal course of things, the production of blood cells occurs in a controlled and orderly way, according to the requirements of the body. However, when leukemia occurs, large amounts of abnormal blood cells are produced. These abnormal cells are generally white blood cells, in most types of leukemia. Apart from not functioning properly, leukemia cells also look different compared to normal blood cells.

Practically all patients affected by leukemia develop anemia, a deficiency of red blood cells. Also, because the white blood cells are impaired, it affects the ability of the body to fight infections. And, a shortage of thrombocytes, or platelets, causes easy bleeding and bruising.

Facts about Leukemia – Types of Leukemia

Leukemia is categorized into four types, can be lymphocytic or myelogenous, and each of them can be chronic or acute. The terms lymphocytic and myelogenous refer to the type of blood cell involved. Acute leukemia indicates that the disease progresses rapidly and if not treated the life expectancy can be from just a few weeks to perhaps a few months. Chronic leukemia, on the other hand, is the type that progresses slowly, allowing more numbers of functional, mature cells to be produced. After the onset of this type of leukemia, life expectancy can be as high as 20 years or even more.

Hence, the four main types of leukemia are: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia; Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia; Acute Myelogenous Leukemia; and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.

Facts about Leukemia – Symptoms of Leukemia

Some of the main symptoms of acute leukemia are: easy bleeding or bruising, due to the deficiency of platelets; easy fatigue and paleness due to anemia; a recurrence of minor infections or inadequate healing of minor wounds or cuts due to inadequate white blood cells. Nosebleeds or other types of hemorrhages and weight loss are quite common. These symptoms can occur suddenly in children.

As is quite apparent, these symptoms can be caused by other conditions too, apart from leukemia. However, they do need to be evaluated medically when they occur. Since the symptoms resemble those that occur in other conditions, which are often less serious, it can often be difficult to diagnose leukemia early. When leukemia is suspected, the cells in the marrow or blood have to be examined, with a biopsy of the bone marrow and blood tests, in order to diagnose leukemia.

Some people suffering from chronic leukemia may not experience these symptoms at all and are usually diagnosed when they have their regular medical check-ups.

Facts about Leukemia – Causes of Leukemia

Leukemia is usually regarded as a disease that affects children primarily. This is because it is the type of cancer that mostly affects children and also is the main cause of deaths in children due to cancer in developed countries like the United States. However, it has now been found that leukemia can affect just about anybody, irrespective of age and gender. What exactly causes leukemia is still not known. But, it is suspected that large doses of irradiation and long-term exposure to benzene can trigger off the onset of the disease, although not all cases can be linked to these. Hereditary factors are also thought to increase the chances of getting leukemia.

Facts about Leukemia – Treatment Options

One of the most effective treatments for leukemia is chemotherapy. There are a number of anticancer medications that are used, either singly or in combination. Along with these, supportive treatments like antibiotics and transfusions of components of blood are also administered. Certain types of leukemia can also be treated by bone marrow transplantation. When diagnosed and treated early, the chances of surviving leukemia have increased quite impressively nowadays.