Leukemia is a type of cancer. It affects the
blood/bone marrow resulting in abnormally high levels of poorly functioning
white blood cells which are involved in protecting the body from different
diseases. This means that the poorly functioning white blood cells will not be
able to protect their body from infections and they also prevent the body from
forming healthy red blood cells as they take up a lot of space. These abnormal
cells first crowd the bone marrow and later go into the blood stream where they
can travel to anywhere in the body and revent other cells in the body from
functioning properly.
What causes leukemia?
Leukemia does not have a specific cause, or
if it does it is unknown. However, both inherited and environmental factors are
involved, such as smoking and ionising radiation. A family history of leukemia
is also a risk factor as well as having a genetic disorder such as down
syndrome.
Types of leukemia- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (mostly in children)
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) (children and adults)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (mostly in adults over the age of 55)
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) (mainly in adults)
Diagnosis
- If leukemia cells are found in the bone marrow sample, the patient's
doctor orders other tests to find out the extent of the disease. A spinal tap
(lumbar puncture) checks for leukemia cells in the fluid that fills the spaces
in and around the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid). Chest x-rays can
reveal signs of disease in the chest.
- If leukemia cells are found in the blood sample, other tests will be
done to find out the extent of the disease. A spinal tap checks for leukemia
cells in the fluid in and around the brain and spinal cord. X-rays can be used
to see leukemia’s affects on body parts such as bones.
Treatment
- Chemotherapy is a common treatment method where drugs are given to
the patient to kill of the cancerous cells.
- Radiation therapy is also a common treatment, it uses high energy
beams to kill the cancerous cells. Depending on the type of leukemia and the
patient, both radiation and chemotherapy might be used simultaneously.
- Biological/immune therapy use treatments that help your immune
system recognize and attack cancer cells.
KHL
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