Is a condition described as a cancer of the blood or bone marrow.
Noted is the change or “proliferation” of blood cell production.
Typically the change is found in white blood cells.
Approximately 250,000 children and adults are diagnosed every year in the world
In the U.S. almost 45,000 per year are diagnosed
“Leukemia” is a term with a broad spectrum of meaning and specific conditions
There are several specific types or classifications of leukemia
Classifications:
Acute leukemia
- seen with a change in blood cells where the bone marrow has difficulty producing healthy blood cells
- are a very common form found in children
Chronic leukemia
- change is white blood cells
- is not rapid and progression is seen over several months to years
- is often seen in older people but can be seen at any age
Lymphocytic leukemia
- involve cells of teh lymphoid region
- may be divided into T-cell and B-cell
Myelogenous leukemia
- affects the myeloid tissues or bone marrow
4 major types of Leukemia
1.) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
2.) Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
3.) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
4.) Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
Others
1.) Large granular lymphocytic leukemia
2.) Hairy cell leukemia (HCL)
3.) T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL)
Overall symptoms
- Bone marrow that is damaged
- Large amount of immature white blood cells
- Decrease in platelets
- Increased potential for bleeding
- Increased potential for bruising
- Infections
- Diarrhea
- Pneumonia
- Sores in mouth
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Feeling sick
- Headaches
- Enlarged spleen and/or liver
- others
Risk factors
- Radiation
- Viruses
- Chemotherapy agents
- Smoking
Causes
- Mutation in genes
- Cancer oncogenes
- Radiation
- Exposure to chemicals
- Genetic
Treatment
*** – Depends on type of leukemia
Chemotherapy
. L-asparaginase
. Vincristine
. Cyclophosphamide
. Chlorambucil
and many others
Other medicatons
. Prednisone
. Prednisolone
. 6-mercaptopurine
. Methotrexate
Bone Marrow Tranplantation