Introduction
Leukemia meaning white blood (Greek leukos, "white"; aima, "blood") is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an unusual growth of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes)and is split into its acute and chronic forms. It can affect the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs, and other parts of the body and can also collect in the testicles causing swelling. Leukemia is one of the most common types of cancers found in children, But it isn't just a children's disease, as many believe. It is newly found in about 29,000 adults and 2000 children every year in the US and has four primary types and many sub-types of which only a few of them are common among children. Leukemia that has spread to the brain can produce central nervous system effects, such as headaches, seizures, weakness, blurred eyesight, balance difficulties, or vomiting and the disease, or the chemotherapy used to treat it, may induce anemia.
Acute Leukemia
Acute leukemia is recognized by the rapid increase of immature blood cells, and is a potentially treatable illness; However only a small number of persons are cured with current treatments. It commences with one or a few white blood cells that have a lost or damaged DNA sequence and gets worse very fast and may make you feel sick right away. It tends to come about rapidly, whereas some chronic varieties may exist for years before they are even diagnosed. Immediate treatment is required due to the rapid progression and accumulation of the malignant cells, which then spill over into the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body. Whereas acute leukemia must be treated asap, chronic forms are sometimes monitored for some time before treatment to ensure maximum effectiveness of treatment.
Chronic Leukemia
Chronic leukemia is distinguished by the excessive build up of relatively mature, but still abnormal, blood cells and often goes undiagnosed for many years until it is found in a routine blood test. It is more common between ages 40 and 70 and is rare among young people. It tends to gets worse slowly and may not cause symptoms for years. As with many other cancers, it is a disease that comes with old age. Doctors often find chronic leukemia during a routine checkup, before there are any noticeable symptoms. In adults, the acute types happen in those of all ages, whereas the chronic varieties tend to occur in people older than 40 years of age. Although slow-growing chronic leukemia can also be found in children, it is very rare, accounting for fewer than fifty cases in children each year in the US.
Treatment
Treatment of leukemia is complex and it depends on your age and health, the type and how far it has spread. Treatment is usually considered necessary when the patient exhibits signs and symptoms such as low blood cell numbers. In general, ALL treatment is divided into several phases. In kids, an intensive six-month treatment program is required after induction, followed by 2 yrs of maintenance chemotherapy. For children with low-risk, standard therapy usually consists of three drugs (prednisone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine) for the first month of treatment. High-risk patients receive higher drug doses plus treatment with extra chemotherapeutic agents. Follow-up therapy for ALL patients normally consists of: supportive care, such as intravenous nutrition and therapy with oral antibiotics. In general, the indications for treatment are: falling hemoglobin or platelet count, progression to a later stage of disease, painful, disease-related overgrowth of lymph nodes or spleen, lymphocyte doubling time (an indicator of lymphocyte reproduction) of fewer than 12 months. Overall, the plan is to control bone marrow and systemic disease while offering specific therapy for the central nervous system (CNS), if necessary. Consolidation or "maintenance" treatments may be given to prevent disease recurrence once remission has been achieved. Whatever the plan, it is very important for the patient to understand the therapy that is being used and the reasons behind the choice.
Conclusion
Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. These cells crowd out other types of blood cells produced by the bone marrow, including red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues throughout your body, and platelets, which help form blood clots. Leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes or other organs causing swelling and/or pain and can also collect in the kidney, liver and spleen, causing enlargement of these organs. They also can affect the lungs and other regions of the body. Acute forms can happen in both children and young adults. Chronic forms mostly occurs in older people, but can theoretically occur in any age category. There is no single known cause for all of the different types of leukemia. Studies have linked exposure to petrochemicals, such as benzene, and hair dyes to the development of some kinds. Viruses have been linked to other forms. Until the cause or causes are found, there is no known way to prevent the occurrence of the disease. As of 1998, it is estimated that each yr., approximately 30,800 persons will be diagnosed with the disease in North America and 21,700 people will die because of the disease.
Leukemia meaning white blood (Greek leukos, "white"; aima, "blood") is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an unusual growth of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes)and is split into its acute and chronic forms. It can affect the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs, and other parts of the body and can also collect in the testicles causing swelling. Leukemia is one of the most common types of cancers found in children, But it isn't just a children's disease, as many believe. It is newly found in about 29,000 adults and 2000 children every year in the US and has four primary types and many sub-types of which only a few of them are common among children. Leukemia that has spread to the brain can produce central nervous system effects, such as headaches, seizures, weakness, blurred eyesight, balance difficulties, or vomiting and the disease, or the chemotherapy used to treat it, may induce anemia.
Acute Leukemia
Acute leukemia is recognized by the rapid increase of immature blood cells, and is a potentially treatable illness; However only a small number of persons are cured with current treatments. It commences with one or a few white blood cells that have a lost or damaged DNA sequence and gets worse very fast and may make you feel sick right away. It tends to come about rapidly, whereas some chronic varieties may exist for years before they are even diagnosed. Immediate treatment is required due to the rapid progression and accumulation of the malignant cells, which then spill over into the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body. Whereas acute leukemia must be treated asap, chronic forms are sometimes monitored for some time before treatment to ensure maximum effectiveness of treatment.
Chronic Leukemia
Chronic leukemia is distinguished by the excessive build up of relatively mature, but still abnormal, blood cells and often goes undiagnosed for many years until it is found in a routine blood test. It is more common between ages 40 and 70 and is rare among young people. It tends to gets worse slowly and may not cause symptoms for years. As with many other cancers, it is a disease that comes with old age. Doctors often find chronic leukemia during a routine checkup, before there are any noticeable symptoms. In adults, the acute types happen in those of all ages, whereas the chronic varieties tend to occur in people older than 40 years of age. Although slow-growing chronic leukemia can also be found in children, it is very rare, accounting for fewer than fifty cases in children each year in the US.
Treatment
Treatment of leukemia is complex and it depends on your age and health, the type and how far it has spread. Treatment is usually considered necessary when the patient exhibits signs and symptoms such as low blood cell numbers. In general, ALL treatment is divided into several phases. In kids, an intensive six-month treatment program is required after induction, followed by 2 yrs of maintenance chemotherapy. For children with low-risk, standard therapy usually consists of three drugs (prednisone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine) for the first month of treatment. High-risk patients receive higher drug doses plus treatment with extra chemotherapeutic agents. Follow-up therapy for ALL patients normally consists of: supportive care, such as intravenous nutrition and therapy with oral antibiotics. In general, the indications for treatment are: falling hemoglobin or platelet count, progression to a later stage of disease, painful, disease-related overgrowth of lymph nodes or spleen, lymphocyte doubling time (an indicator of lymphocyte reproduction) of fewer than 12 months. Overall, the plan is to control bone marrow and systemic disease while offering specific therapy for the central nervous system (CNS), if necessary. Consolidation or "maintenance" treatments may be given to prevent disease recurrence once remission has been achieved. Whatever the plan, it is very important for the patient to understand the therapy that is being used and the reasons behind the choice.
Conclusion
Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. These cells crowd out other types of blood cells produced by the bone marrow, including red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues throughout your body, and platelets, which help form blood clots. Leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes or other organs causing swelling and/or pain and can also collect in the kidney, liver and spleen, causing enlargement of these organs. They also can affect the lungs and other regions of the body. Acute forms can happen in both children and young adults. Chronic forms mostly occurs in older people, but can theoretically occur in any age category. There is no single known cause for all of the different types of leukemia. Studies have linked exposure to petrochemicals, such as benzene, and hair dyes to the development of some kinds. Viruses have been linked to other forms. Until the cause or causes are found, there is no known way to prevent the occurrence of the disease. As of 1998, it is estimated that each yr., approximately 30,800 persons will be diagnosed with the disease in North America and 21,700 people will die because of the disease.
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