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Leukemia - Symptoms and Treatment
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This is the most common form of cancer in children and not an uncommon form of disease found in adults. There are approximately 5,000 new cases of childhood leukemia diagnosed each year.
The cause of leukemia is unknown but it has been connected with exposures to radiation, chemicals, and some drugs. Viruses may play a key role in the development of leukemia, although additional evidence for this theory is still pending. The siblings of patients with leukemia have approximately a 5 times greater incidence of developing leukemia, indicating a genetic factor may be involved.
There are several different types of leukemia, with acute lymphocytic leukemia (increase in the number of white blood cells known as lymphocytes) being the most common in children. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in adulthood.
Leukemia is characterized by the OVERPRODUCTION of immature and abnormal white blood cells by the bone marrow. Often, other types of cells, normally produced in the bone marrow, can be affected. Red blood cells, which carry oxygen, and platelets (that function in blood clotting) appear decreased in number or abnormal. Classification of the type of leukemia is based on the kind of white blood cell (leukocyte) being overproduced.
Symptoms of Leukemia
Symptoms of leukemia are often vague, and easily dismissed as some other form of minor illness. Patients experience weakness, fatigue, anemia, pallor, easy bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, weight loss, and swollen lymph glands. Symptoms are similar to that of lymphoma.
Evaluation of Leukemia
Evaluation includes history and physical examination. The complete blood count (blood test) will show an overabundance of white blood cells. Those white blood cells, when viewed under the microscope, will appear abnormal to the trained eye. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are necessary for definitive diagnosis. Exact diagnosis will guide the physician to the most effective treatment modality.
Treatment of Leukemia
Treatment is based on the type of leukemia found. Some patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia may not require any treatment at all. Treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia is often aimed at controlling the overall number of white blood cells with oral medications (pills) on a chronic basis. Most of the more serious acute leukemias, commonly those of childhood or young adulthood, require some combination of chemotherapeutic (anti-cancer drugs) agents. These patients often require prolonged hospitalization secondary to precipitous drops in the total number of white blood cells that occur as the result of chemotherapy. You may also be interested in alternative prostate treatment. This link gives you a safe and gentle method of prostate drainage that can relieve prostate problems.
Recent developments in bone marrow transplantation have been introduced and show promising results--particularly in those patients less than 50 years of age. Supportive care during the bone marrow transplant limits this treatment to regional cancer treatment centers. Difficulty in finding a compatible bone marrow donors are the limiting factor. Large nationwide data banks are forming which increase the likelihood of finding a compatible donor. Study on leukemia cancer treatments.
Currently, some centers boast a 95% remission rate in the treatment of childhood leukemia with a 50-75% long term survival. National averages are probably in the area of a 35% overall cure rate.
An important aspect of treatment for any type of cancer is a nutritious diet. The Hematologist is the expert in the evaluation of this complex and serious illness.
Hope this article will proivde you information about leukemia.
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