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Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the body's blood-forming tissues, particularly the bone marrow and lymphatic system.
There are numerous forms of leukemia. Certain types of leukemia are more common in children. Other types of leukemia mostly affect adults.
Leukemia usually affects white blood cells. Your white blood cells are effective infection fighters; they generally multiply and divide in a regular pattern when your body requires them. However, in persons with leukemia, the bone marrow creates an abnormally large number of aberrant white blood cells that do not function properly.
Leukemia treatment can be complicated, depending on the kind of leukemia and other circumstances. However, there are tactics and resources available to assist you in making your therapy a success.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF LEUKEMIA?
The following are the most common kinds of leukemia:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL): This is the most frequent kind of leukemia in children under the age of five. Adults might also be affected by ALL.
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML): AML is a kind of leukemia that is quite frequent. It affects both children and adults. Adults with AML have the most frequent kind of acute leukemia.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): CLL, the most prevalent chronic adult leukemia, can cause you to feel fine for years without having therapy.
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML): Adults are the most commonly affected by this form of leukemia. A person with CML may have few or no symptoms for months or years before entering a phase in which the leukemia cells proliferate at a faster rate.
- Other types: Hairy cell leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative diseases are examples of uncommon kinds of leukemia.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LEUKEMIA?
The symptoms of leukemia differ based on the type of leukemia. The following are common leukemia signs and symptoms:
- Chills or fever
- Fatigue and weakness that persist
- Infections that are frequent or severe
- Losing weight without making an effort
- Lymph node swelling, liver or spleen enlargement
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Repeated nosebleeds
- Small red patches on your skin (petechiae)
- Sweating excessively, especially at night
- Tenderness or discomfort in the bones
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF LEUKEMIA?
Leukemia develops when the DNA of a single cell in the bone marrow alters (mutates), causing it to be unable to develop and function normally. (DNA is the cell's "instruction code" for growth and function.) Genes are made up of segments of DNA that are organized on bigger structures known as chromosomes.) The mutated DNA is present in all cells that develop from the first mutant cell.
In most situations, it is still unknown what causes the DNA damage in the first place. Changes in cedar have been identified by scientists.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR LEUKEMIA?
Some risk factors for acquiring certain forms of leukemia include:
- Previous cancer therapy: People who have received specific types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for other cancers are more likely to acquire certain types of leukemia.
- Genetic diseases: Genetic defects appear to play a role in leukemia development. Certain genetic abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, have been linked to a higher risk of leukemia.
- Exposure to certain chemicals: Exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene (present in gasoline and used in the chemical industry), has been associated to an increased risk of certain types of leukemia.
- Smoking: Cigarette smoking raises the risk of acute myelogenous leukemia.
- A family history of leukemia: If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with leukemia, your risk of developing the condition is enhanced.
However, the majority of persons with established risk factors do not develop leukemia. Many persons with leukemia do not have any of these risk factors.
HOW IS LEUKEMIA DIAGNOSED?
Before symptoms appear, doctors may detect persistent leukemia in a routine blood test. If this occurs, or if you have signs or symptoms of leukemia, you may be subjected to the following diagnostic tests:
Physical examination: Physical indicators of leukemia include pale skin from anemia, swelling of your lymph nodes, and enlargement of your liver and spleen.
Blood tests: Your doctor can tell whether you have leukemia by looking at a blood sample to see if you have abnormal numbers of red or white blood cells or platelets. A blood test may potentially reveal the presence of leukemia cells; however, not all kinds of leukemia produce leukemia cells to circulate in the blood. Leukemia cells can sometimes remain in the bone marrow.
Bone marrow test: Your doctor may advise you to have a bone marrow sample extracted from your hipbone. A long, thin needle is used to extract the bone marrow. The sample is sent to a lab to be examined for leukemia cells. Specific characteristics of your leukemia cells may be revealed by specialized tests, which will be used to assess your treatment options.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR LEUKEMIA?
Many factors influence your leukemia treatment. Your leukemia treatment options are determined by your doctor based on your age and overall health, the type of leukemia you have, and whether it has spread to other parts of your body, including your central nervous system.
The following are some of the most common therapies for leukemia:
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the most commonly used treatment for leukemia. Chemicals are used in this pharmacological treatment to kill leukemia cells.
You may be given a single medicine or a combination of drugs depending on the type of leukemia you have. These medications can be taken as pills or injected straight into a vein.
Targeted therapy: Targeted medication treatments target specific defects found in cancer cells. Cancer cells can be killed by specific medication treatments that prevent these abnormalities. Your leukemia cells will be examined to determine whether targeted therapy would be beneficial to you.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy involves the use of X-rays or other high-energy beams to destroy and inhibit the growth of leukemia cells. You lie on a table during radiation therapy as a big machine moves around you, directing the radiation to specific points on your body.
You may be given radiation in a specific location of your body where leukemia cells have gathered, or you may be given radiation all over your body. To prepare for a bone marrow transplant, radiation therapy may be utilized.
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that employs your immune system to combat the disease. Because cancer cells create proteins that assist them hide from immune system cells, your body's disease-fighting immune system may not attack your cancer. Immunotherapy works by interfering with the immune system's natural defenses.
Engineering immune cells to fight leukemia: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is a specialist treatment that takes your body's germ-fighting T cells, designs them to fight cancer, and then reinfuses them into your body. Certain kinds of leukemia may be candidates for CAR-T cell treatment.
Bone marrow transplant: A bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant, aids in the restoration of healthy stem cells by replacing diseased bone marrow with leukemia-free stem cells capable of regenerating healthy bone marrow.
You are given extremely high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy prior to a bone marrow transplant to eradicate your leukemia-producing bone marrow. Then you will be given an infusion of blood-forming stem cells, which will aid in the rebuilding of your bone marrow.
You may be able to use your own stem cells or get stem cells from a donor.
Clinical trials: Clinical trials are investigations that are used to test new cancer treatments as well as new ways to use existing treatments. While clinical trials allow you or your child to explore the most recent cancer treatment, the benefits and hazards of the treatment are unknown. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of clinical trials with your doctor.
CONCLUSION
The long-term prognosis for patients with leukemia is determined by the type of cancer they have and their stage at diagnosis. The earlier leukemia is discovered and treated, the higher your chances of recovery.
Some factors, such as advanced age, a history of blood problems, and chromosome abnormalities, can have a detrimental impact on the prognosis.
From 2009 through 2018, the number of leukemia mortality decreased by 1.7 percent on average, according to the NCI. From 2011 to 2017, the 5-year survival rate (the percentage of persons who lived at least 5 years after obtaining a diagnosis) was 65%.
It is crucial to remember, however, that this figure includes people of all ages and with all types of leukemia. It does not forecast the outcome for any single person. Work with your medical team to treat leukemia and determine your unique prognosis. Remember that everyone's situation is unique.