Introduction
Leukemia or leukaemia meaning white blood is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal growth of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes)and is split into its acute and chronic forms. It may affect the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs, or other parts of the anatomy and can also collect in the testicles causing swelling. Leukemia is one of the most commonly occuring cancers in children, But it's not just a children's disease, as many think. It is newly diagnosed in about 29,000 adults and 2000 children annually in North America and has four principal types and a large number of sub-types of which only some of them are common among children. Leukemia that has spread to the brain may create central nervous system effects, such as headaches, seizures, weakness, blurred vision, balance difficulties, or vomiting and the disease, or the chemotherapy used for treatment, can cause anemia.
Acute Leukemia
Acute leukemia is diagnosed by the speedy growth of immature blood cells, and is potentially curable; However only a small number of individual are cured with current methods. 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 ill right away. It tends to develop suddenly, whereas some chronic types may exist for many years before they are even recognize. Immediate treatment is required due to the rapid progression and accumulation of the malignant cells, which then spill over into the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body. Whereas acute leukemia must be treated immediately, chronic forms are sometimes watched for some time before treatment to produce maximum effectiveness of therapy.
Chronic Leukemia
Chronic leukemia is distinguished by the excessive build up of relatively mature, but still abnormal, blood cells and often goes undetected for many years until it is identified in a routine blood test. It is more commonly found between ages 40 and 70 and is rare among young persons. It tends to gets worse slowly and may not cause symptoms for years. Like many other cancers, it is a disease of old age. MDs often diagnose chronic leukemia during a routine checkup, before there are any recognizable symptoms. In adults, the acute forms occur in those of all ages, whereas the chronic varieties tend to occur in people older than 40 years. Although slow-growing chronic leukemia may also be seen in children, it is very unusual, accounting for less than 50 cases in children each year in North America.
Treatment
Treatment of leukemia is complex and it depends on your age and health, the type and how far it has spread. Treatment is usually considered necessary when the patient exhibits signs and symptoms such as low blood cell numbers. In general, ALL treatment is divided into several phases. In kids, an intensive six-month treatment program is required after induction, followed by 2 yrs of maintenance chemotherapy. For children with low-risk, standard therapy usually consists of three drugs (prednisone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine) for the first month of treatment. High-risk patients receive higher drug doses plus treatment with extra chemotherapeutic agents. Follow-up therapy for ALL patients normally consists of: supportive care, such as intravenous nutrition and therapy with oral antibiotics. In general, the indications for treatment are: falling hemoglobin or platelet count, progression to a later 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 plan is to control bone marrow and systemic disease while offering specific therapy for the central nervous system (CNS), if necessary. Consolidation or "maintenance" treatments may be given to prevent disease recurrence once remission has been achieved. Whatever the plan, it is very important for the patient to understand the therapy that is being used and the reasons behind the choice.
Conclusion
Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. These cells edge out other kinds of blood cells created by the bone marrow, including red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues throughout your body, and platelets, which help form blood clots. Leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes or other organs causing swelling and/or pain and can also collect in the kidney, liver and spleen, causing enlargement of these organs. They also can affect the lungs and other parts of the body. Acute forms can occur in children and young adults. Chronic forms mostly occurs in older people, but can theoretically happen at any age. There is no one known reason for all of the different kinds of leukemia. Studies have linked exposure to petrochemicals, such as benzene, and hair dyes to the development of some forms. Viruses have been linked to other types. Until the cause or causes are known, there is no known way to stop the occurrence of the disease. As of 1998, it is estimated that each year, approximately 30,800 people will be diagnosed with the disease in the United States and 21,700 persons will die from the disease.
Leukemia or leukaemia meaning white blood is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal growth of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes)and is split into its acute and chronic forms. It may affect the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs, or other parts of the anatomy and can also collect in the testicles causing swelling. Leukemia is one of the most commonly occuring cancers in children, But it's not just a children's disease, as many think. It is newly diagnosed in about 29,000 adults and 2000 children annually in North America and has four principal types and a large number of sub-types of which only some of them are common among children. Leukemia that has spread to the brain may create central nervous system effects, such as headaches, seizures, weakness, blurred vision, balance difficulties, or vomiting and the disease, or the chemotherapy used for treatment, can cause anemia.
Acute Leukemia
Acute leukemia is diagnosed by the speedy growth of immature blood cells, and is potentially curable; However only a small number of individual are cured with current methods. 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 ill right away. It tends to develop suddenly, whereas some chronic types may exist for many years before they are even recognize. Immediate treatment is required due to the rapid progression and accumulation of the malignant cells, which then spill over into the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body. Whereas acute leukemia must be treated immediately, chronic forms are sometimes watched for some time before treatment to produce maximum effectiveness of therapy.
Chronic Leukemia
Chronic leukemia is distinguished by the excessive build up of relatively mature, but still abnormal, blood cells and often goes undetected for many years until it is identified in a routine blood test. It is more commonly found between ages 40 and 70 and is rare among young persons. It tends to gets worse slowly and may not cause symptoms for years. Like many other cancers, it is a disease of old age. MDs often diagnose chronic leukemia during a routine checkup, before there are any recognizable symptoms. In adults, the acute forms occur in those of all ages, whereas the chronic varieties tend to occur in people older than 40 years. Although slow-growing chronic leukemia may also be seen in children, it is very unusual, accounting for less than 50 cases in children each year in North America.
Treatment
Treatment of leukemia is complex and it depends on your age and health, the type and how far it has spread. Treatment is usually considered necessary when the patient exhibits signs and symptoms such as low blood cell numbers. In general, ALL treatment is divided into several phases. In kids, an intensive six-month treatment program is required after induction, followed by 2 yrs of maintenance chemotherapy. For children with low-risk, standard therapy usually consists of three drugs (prednisone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine) for the first month of treatment. High-risk patients receive higher drug doses plus treatment with extra chemotherapeutic agents. Follow-up therapy for ALL patients normally consists of: supportive care, such as intravenous nutrition and therapy with oral antibiotics. In general, the indications for treatment are: falling hemoglobin or platelet count, progression to a later 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 plan is to control bone marrow and systemic disease while offering specific therapy for the central nervous system (CNS), if necessary. Consolidation or "maintenance" treatments may be given to prevent disease recurrence once remission has been achieved. Whatever the plan, it is very important for the patient to understand the therapy that is being used and the reasons behind the choice.
Conclusion
Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. These cells edge out other kinds of blood cells created by the bone marrow, including red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues throughout your body, and platelets, which help form blood clots. Leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes or other organs causing swelling and/or pain and can also collect in the kidney, liver and spleen, causing enlargement of these organs. They also can affect the lungs and other parts of the body. Acute forms can occur in children and young adults. Chronic forms mostly occurs in older people, but can theoretically happen at any age. There is no one known reason for all of the different kinds of leukemia. Studies have linked exposure to petrochemicals, such as benzene, and hair dyes to the development of some forms. Viruses have been linked to other types. Until the cause or causes are known, there is no known way to stop the occurrence of the disease. As of 1998, it is estimated that each year, approximately 30,800 people will be diagnosed with the disease in the United States and 21,700 persons will die from the disease.
About the Author:
Ricardo Henri is the owner of Natural Remedies,Treatments And Cures,a website concerninga wealth of information concerning caring foryour health without relying on drugs and needless surgery. Subscribe to his monthly newsletter @ Natural Remedies Treatments Cures