Introduction
Leukemia or leukaemia meaning white blood (Greek leukos, "white"; aima, "blood") is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an unusual growth of blood cells, mostly white blood cells (leukocytes)and is split into its acute and chronic types. It can affect the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs, or other areas of the body and can also collect in the testicles producing swelling.
Leukemia is one of the most usual cancers of childhood, But isn't just a children's disease, as many believe. It is newly diagnosed in approximately 29,000 adults and 2 thousand children per year in the USA and has 4 main types and numerous sub-types of which only a few of them are common among children. Leukemia that has spread (metastasized) to the brain may produce central nervous system problems, such as headaches, seizures, weakness, blurred vision, balance difficulties, or vomiting and the disease, or the chemotherapy utilized to treat it, can cause anemia.
Acute Leukemia
Acute leukemia is characterized by the rapid growth of immature blood cells, and is potentially curable; However only a small number of individuals are cured with current treatments. It begins with 1 or a few white blood cells that have a lost or damaged DNA sequence and grows worse very fast and may make you feel sick immediately. It tends to develop suddenly, whereas some of the chronic varieties may exist for years before they are even diagnosed. Immediate therapy is required due to the rapid progression and accumulation of the cancerous cells, which then spill over into the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body. Whereas acute leukemia must be remedied immediately, chronic types are sometimes watched for some time before treatment to ensure maximum possible effectiveness of therapy.
Chronic Leukemia
Chronic (continuing for a long time) leukemia is recognized by the excessive build up of relatively mature, but still abnormal, blood cells and routinely goes undetected for many years until it is diagnosed in a routine blood test. It is more commonly found between ages 40 and 70 and is rare among young persons. It tends to worsen slowly and may not create symptoms for years. Like numerous other cancers, it is a disease of old age. MDs routinely find chronic leukemia during a routine checkup, before there are any noticeable signs. In adults, the acute forms happen in those of all ages, whereas the chronic varieties tend to occur in persons older than 40 years. Although slow-growing chronic leukemia may also be diagnosed in children, it is very rare, accounting for less than 50 cases in children per year in the United States.
Treatment
Treatment of leukemia is hard and it depends on your age and health, the type and how far it has spread (metatasized). Treatment is usually considered necessary when the patient has signs and symptoms such as low blood cell counts. In general, ALL treatment is separated into several phases. In children, an intensive 6-month treatment plan is needed after induction, followed by 2 years of maintenance chemotherapy. For children with minimum-risk, standard therapy usually consists of 3 drugs (prednisone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine) for the 1st month of treatment. High-risk persons receive higher drug doses plus treatment with extra chemotherapeutic agents. Follow-up therapy for ALL patients usually consists of: supportive aid, such as intravenous nutrition and treatment with oral antibiotics.
In general, the signs for treatment are: falling hemoglobin or platelet count, progression to a more advanced stage of disease, painful, disease-related overgrowth of lymph nodes or spleen, lymphocyte doubling time (an indicator of lymphocyte reproduction) of fewer than 12 months. Overall, the strategy is to control bone marrow and systemic (whole-body) disease while trying specific treatment for the central nervous system (CNS), if needed. Consolidation or "maintenance" treatments may be given to prevent disease returning once remission has been achieved. Whatever the plan, it is neccesary for the patient to understand the treatment that is being utilized and the reasons behind the choice.
Conclusion
Leukemia is a malignancy of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. These cells crowd out other types of blood cells created by the bone marrow, including red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues all through your body, and platelets, which help form blood clots. Leukemia cells can spread (metastatize) to the lymph nodes or other organs causing swelling and/or pain and can also gather in the kidney, liver and spleen, creating enlargement of these organs. They also can affect the lungs and other areas of the body. Acute types can occur in children and young adults. Chronic types mostly occurs in older persons, but can theoretically occur in any age group.
There is no single known reason for all of the different forms of leukemia. Studies have connected exposure to petrochemicals, such as benzene, and hair dyes to the development of some forms. Viruses have been linked to other forms. Until the cause or causes are discovered, there is no known way to prevent the occurrence of the disease. Since 1998, it is estimated that each year, approximately 30,800 persons will be diagnosed with the disease in the USA and 21,700 individuals will die of the disease.
Leukemia or leukaemia meaning white blood (Greek leukos, "white"; aima, "blood") is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an unusual growth of blood cells, mostly white blood cells (leukocytes)and is split into its acute and chronic types. It can affect the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs, or other areas of the body and can also collect in the testicles producing swelling.
Leukemia is one of the most usual cancers of childhood, But isn't just a children's disease, as many believe. It is newly diagnosed in approximately 29,000 adults and 2 thousand children per year in the USA and has 4 main types and numerous sub-types of which only a few of them are common among children. Leukemia that has spread (metastasized) to the brain may produce central nervous system problems, such as headaches, seizures, weakness, blurred vision, balance difficulties, or vomiting and the disease, or the chemotherapy utilized to treat it, can cause anemia.
Acute Leukemia
Acute leukemia is characterized by the rapid growth of immature blood cells, and is potentially curable; However only a small number of individuals are cured with current treatments. It begins with 1 or a few white blood cells that have a lost or damaged DNA sequence and grows worse very fast and may make you feel sick immediately. It tends to develop suddenly, whereas some of the chronic varieties may exist for years before they are even diagnosed. Immediate therapy is required due to the rapid progression and accumulation of the cancerous cells, which then spill over into the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body. Whereas acute leukemia must be remedied immediately, chronic types are sometimes watched for some time before treatment to ensure maximum possible effectiveness of therapy.
Chronic Leukemia
Chronic (continuing for a long time) leukemia is recognized by the excessive build up of relatively mature, but still abnormal, blood cells and routinely goes undetected for many years until it is diagnosed in a routine blood test. It is more commonly found between ages 40 and 70 and is rare among young persons. It tends to worsen slowly and may not create symptoms for years. Like numerous other cancers, it is a disease of old age. MDs routinely find chronic leukemia during a routine checkup, before there are any noticeable signs. In adults, the acute forms happen in those of all ages, whereas the chronic varieties tend to occur in persons older than 40 years. Although slow-growing chronic leukemia may also be diagnosed in children, it is very rare, accounting for less than 50 cases in children per year in the United States.
Treatment
Treatment of leukemia is hard and it depends on your age and health, the type and how far it has spread (metatasized). Treatment is usually considered necessary when the patient has signs and symptoms such as low blood cell counts. In general, ALL treatment is separated into several phases. In children, an intensive 6-month treatment plan is needed after induction, followed by 2 years of maintenance chemotherapy. For children with minimum-risk, standard therapy usually consists of 3 drugs (prednisone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine) for the 1st month of treatment. High-risk persons receive higher drug doses plus treatment with extra chemotherapeutic agents. Follow-up therapy for ALL patients usually consists of: supportive aid, such as intravenous nutrition and treatment with oral antibiotics.
In general, the signs for treatment are: falling hemoglobin or platelet count, progression to a more advanced stage of disease, painful, disease-related overgrowth of lymph nodes or spleen, lymphocyte doubling time (an indicator of lymphocyte reproduction) of fewer than 12 months. Overall, the strategy is to control bone marrow and systemic (whole-body) disease while trying specific treatment for the central nervous system (CNS), if needed. Consolidation or "maintenance" treatments may be given to prevent disease returning once remission has been achieved. Whatever the plan, it is neccesary for the patient to understand the treatment that is being utilized and the reasons behind the choice.
Conclusion
Leukemia is a malignancy of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. These cells crowd out other types of blood cells created by the bone marrow, including red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues all through your body, and platelets, which help form blood clots. Leukemia cells can spread (metastatize) to the lymph nodes or other organs causing swelling and/or pain and can also gather in the kidney, liver and spleen, creating enlargement of these organs. They also can affect the lungs and other areas of the body. Acute types can occur in children and young adults. Chronic types mostly occurs in older persons, but can theoretically occur in any age group.
There is no single known reason for all of the different forms of leukemia. Studies have connected exposure to petrochemicals, such as benzene, and hair dyes to the development of some forms. Viruses have been linked to other forms. Until the cause or causes are discovered, there is no known way to prevent the occurrence of the disease. Since 1998, it is estimated that each year, approximately 30,800 persons will be diagnosed with the disease in the USA and 21,700 individuals will die of the disease.
About the Author:
Ricardo Henri is the owner of Natural Remedies,Treatments And Cures,a site containing a plethora of info about caring for your own health containingout relying on medications and needless surgery. Subscribe to his monthly newsletter @ alternative treatments or alternative medicine