Being a cancer of the blood cells, leukemia has several types,
classified depending on how quickly they progress and what cells they
affect.We can mention the role of normal blood cells. White blood cells
are fighting against the infections, red blood cells carry oxygen from
the lungs to the rest of the body and return carbon dioxide to the
lungs as waste but also give the red color to the blood, and platelets
form clots to control bleeding. The blood also contains a fluid called
plasma.The bone marrow, which is a spongy area located in the center of
bones is responsible with the producing of these products.
The bone marrow contains some cells called blasts, which are not yet
mature, but when they become mature, they move into the circulating
blood.In leukemia, one blood cell goes awry, and the body produces
large amounts of this cell. These abnormal, non-functional cells will
leave too little space for healthy cells. The symptoms of leukemia are
being caused by this imbalance of healthy and unhealthy cells.
Leukemias can be acute or chronic. The white blood cells multiple very
quickly and are very immature in acute leukemia, blood fills with
blasts quickly and symptoms appear.In chronic leukemia, fewer symptoms
appear, because the blasts form more slowly, and the body also produces
functional cells. Chronic leukemia may cause the spleen to become
enlarged so it can be felt by the doctor during a routine physical, and
then further investigation will be performed.Depending on which type of
white blood cell is affected (lymphoid cells or myeloid cells),
leukemias can be divided in types called lymphocytic leukemia and
myelogenous leukemia.Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type
in children, but it is also seen in adults older than 65, and acute
myeloid leukemia appears in both children and adults.Chronic
lymphocytic leukemia occurs often in people over age 55, sometimes
affects younger adults and almost never children, and in what concerns
chronic myelogenous leukemia, it appears mostly in adults.
The exact causes of leukemia are not known but it was seen that
exposure to high-energy radiation and working with the chemical benzene
over a long period of time, can lead to it but also some genetic
syndromes, such as Down's syndrome, put a person at higher
risk.Although it was not proved, there are scientists that believe that
persons exposed to electromagnetic fields are at a greater risk as
well.In order to determine if a person has leukemia, the doctor will
perform a blood count. In this way, there will appear if there is an
abnormally low or high number of white blood cells.Patients with
leukemia may develop fevers or infections that won't go away; there can
also appear anemia, which will cause the patient to feel tired or
appear pale.In chronic leukemia symptoms may not appear for some time,
and may be mild. Some common symptoms are fever, chills, weakness and
fatigue, easy bleeding or bruising, swollen or bleeding gums, swollen
or tender lymph nodes, liver or spleen.In acute leukemia there can also
appear headaches, vomiting, confusion, or seizures.
For performing the diagnose, the doctor will ask about medical history
and conduct a physical exam. If abnormalities such as enlarged spleen,
liver or lymph nodes are detected, further investigation is needed. A
complete blood count must be performed, and this test will confirm
leukemia. In order to determine the type of leukemia, the physician
will take a sample of the bone marrow and examine it under a
microscope. The doctor may also want to perform a lumbar puncture to
determine if leukemia cells have entered the spinal cord.
It is recommended that patients receive treatment at a medical center
that is experienced in treating the disease. The target of the therapy
is to induce a remission.Acute leukemia must be treated immediately,
but chronic leukemia may not need to be treated right away (depending
on the symptoms).After therapy has induced a remission, it is needed
frequent monitoring of blood cell counts, to watch for relapse.
Patients who have a remission that lasts five years are generally
considered cured.
