Cancer
Awareness:
Leukemia
Leukemia, or Leukaemia, is a cancer of the white blood cells. It
affects either the lymphoid white blood cells or the myeloid
white blood cells. Leukemia can be acute or chronic, meaning
it affects the cells quickly with little warning (acute) or appear
slowly and develops over months or years.
There are four types of leukaemia; acute lymphoblastic
leukaemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), acute
myeloid leukaemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukaemia
(CML).
Leukemia is most commonly seen in adults over 55, but
is the most common cancer type in children under 15.
CAUSES
The cause of acute Leukemia is not known, however there are
multiple linked factors. Factors include high radiation exposure,
chemical exposure, and certain viruses, like the Human T-Cell
leukemia virus.
People diagnosed with chronic myeloid Leukemia have been known
to have an abnormal chromosome, the Philadelphia chromosome.
Chronic leukemia has been linked to extensive radiation exposure.
SYMPTOMS
In many cases, people
with leukemia do not
show symptoms.
However, those with
symptoms often notice a
worsening of the
symptoms over time.
The more common
symptoms of leukemia are
tiredness, anemia,
autoimmune issues,
increased bleeding and
susceptibility to bruising.
The less common
symptoms of leukemia are
bone pain, swollen and
tender gums, skin rashes,
vomiting, vision problems,
headaches, enlarged
lymph glands, enlarged
spleen that may be
causing pain, chest pains.
TREATMENT
Treating leukemia often depends on the type
of leukemia. Acute leukemia, which sets on
quickly, needs to be treated within the first
24 hours of diagnosis.
Common treatments for both lymphoblastic
and myeloid leukemia are chemotheraphy,
radiation therapy to the head, and peripheral
blood stem cell and bone marrow transplants.
A specific treatment for acute lymphoblastic
leukemia is steroid therapy.
Treatment for chronic leukemias vary
depending on the cell type.
The treatments for chronic lymphocytic
leukaemia are; active monitoring, radiation,
therapy, chemotherapy and surgical removal of
the spleen. Experimental chemotherapy with
stem cell transplantations are being tested in
clinical trials in some countries.
The treatments for chronic myeloid leukaemia
are; tyrosine kinase inhibitory therapy, biologic
therapy, chemotherapy, high-dose
chemotherapy with stem cell transplant, donor
lymphocyte infusion, and surgical removal of
the spleen.
PREVENTION
With no proven causes for leukemia, there are
no proven preventative measures. However, it
is advisable to avoid situations that include
linked factors of leukemia. Avoidance of high
contact with radiation or chemical exposure is
recommended. Preventative measures of
infection with linked viruses is also advisable.