LEUKEMIA

Leukemia comes from the Greek word meaning "White blood" and is often referred to as cancer of the blood. The term refers to a group of closely related maligant conditions affecting the immature blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. In leukemia normal control mechanisms break down and the marrow starts to produce large numbers of abnormal cells of one type. This disrupts the normal production of blood cells leading to anemia and low platelet counts. Often in leukemia the spleen and liver may become enlarged and this may cause abdominal discomfort.

Types of Leukemias

Acute myelogenous and acute lymphocytic progression is rapid and the leukemic cells replace the normal bone marrow cells and enter the blood to varying degrees. As the normal marrow function is depressed, insufficient red cells, white cells and platelets are made and delivered to the blood .Anemia develops, leading to easy fatigue, weakness and pallor. A deficiency of white cells heightens susceptibility to infection and the inadequate numbers of platelets predisposes to spontaneous bleeding or prolonged bleeding with slight injury.

Chronic myelogenous and chronic lymphocytic, progresses more slowly and does not result in such severe deficiencies of functioning blood cells. Chronic leukemias are treated with different drugs and combinations of drugs than are acute leukemias.

Signs and Symptoms

* excesive tiredness

* breathlessness

* pain in joints and bones

* bleeding

* excessive bruising

* persistent infections

* enlarged lymph glands

* persistent fevers

* night sweats

Patients may show any combination of symptoms. Some may be more obvious than others. Initial symtoms may appear to be nothing worse than a bout of the flu. Anyone who develops persistent symptoms should see their doctor promptly.

Diagnosis

This requires measurement of the blood cell counts and examination of the blood cells under a microscope.. Theses are standard tests, and it is often possible to determine if leukemia is present and which of the four major types of leukemias have developed. Usually, a bone marrow examination is performed to verify the diagnosis and obtain cells for chromosone analysis and more detailed study of cell types so that the leukemia is subtyped, if necessary. The specific subtype and the nature of the chromosones changes may provid important information about the approach to treatment.

Treatment

The purpose of treatment is to induce a remission, which means the elimination of leukemic cells and the restoration of normal blood cell production and blood cell levels. The approach to treatment is different for each major type of leukemia. Chemotherapy is the initial approach in most patients. However, different drugs among the dozens available are used to treat the four major type of leukemia.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic