Leukemia is a cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Many types of leukemia exist. Some forms of leukemia are more common in children; other forms of leukemia occur mostly in adults.
Consider watching this video to know more about what causes cancer…
Leukemia usually involves white blood cells. Your white blood cells are potent infection fighters — they typically grow and divide in an orderly way, as your body needs them. But in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells, which don’t function properly.
Leukemia symptoms vary, depending on the type of leukemia. Common leukemia signs and symptoms include fever or chills, persistent fatigue, weakness, frequent or severe infections, losing weight without trying, swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen, easy bleeding or bruising, recurrent nosebleeds, tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae), excessive sweating, especially at night, and bone pain or tenderness
In general, leukemia is thought to occur when some blood cells acquire mutations in their DNA — the instructions inside each cell that guide its action. There may be other changes in the cells that have yet to be fully understood that could contribute to leukemia. The causes of leukemia aren’t known. However, several factors are there, which may increase your risk. These include, a family history of leukemia, smoking, which increases your risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML), genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndrome, which is sometimes called “preleukemia”, previous treatment for cancer with chemotherapy or radiation, exposure to high levels of radiation, and exposure to chemicals such as benzene.
Specific abnormalities cause the cell to grow and divide more rapidly and to continue living when healthy cells would die. Over time, these abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow, leading to fewer healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, causing the signs and symptoms of leukemia.
The onset of leukemia can be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (slow start). In acute leukemia, cancer cells multiply quickly. In chronic leukemia, the disease progresses slowly, and early symptoms may be very mild.
Leukemia involving myeloid cells is called myelogenous leukemia. Myeloid cells are immature blood cells that’d usually become granulocytes or monocytes. Leukemia involving lymphocytes is called lymphocytic leukemia. There are four main types of leukemia:
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in young children. ALL can also occur in adults.
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a common type of leukemia. It occurs in children and adults. AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common chronic adult leukemia, you may feel well for years without needing treatment.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), this type of leukemia mainly affects adults. A person with CML may have few or no symptoms for months or years before entering a phase in which the leukemia cells grow more quickly.
Conventional treatments used to fight leukemia include chemotherapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant.
After diagnosis and treatment, many people with leukemia live many good, quality years. Taking care of your health should be your top priority!
Until Next Time,
Team Doctor ASKY!