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Definition

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. In cancer, cells become abnormal and grow out of control. As the number of abnormal blood cells increase, the healthy blood cells are outnumbered. There are three main types of blood cells. Each has a distinct job:

  • White blood cells (WBC), also called lymphocytes, are most often involved in leukemia. Their main job is to help the immune system.
  • Red blood cells (RBC) carry oxygen throughout the body.
  • Platelets help the blood clot at injury sites.

Leukemia cells can not do the job of normal blood cells. This causes many of the symptoms of leukemia]]> . The disease starts in the bone marrow where blood cells are made. The most common types of leukemia are:

White Blood Cells

Immune system white blood cell
Leukemia cells outnumber healthy white blood cells and gather in spleen and lymph nodes.
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

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Causes

The exact cause of leukemia is not known. Certain risk factors are thought to be related.

Risk Factors

These risk factors are thought to be related to leukemia. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

  • Age—leukemia is most common in people over aged 60
    • AML and CLL are most common in adults
    • ALL is most common in children
  • Chemotherapy]]> for previous cancer
  • Some genetic diseases such as ]]>Down syndrome]]>
  • Chronic exposure to benzene that exceeds federally approved safety limits
  • ]]>Radiation therapy]]> from previous therapy
  • ]]>Myelodysplastic syndrome]]> —a blood disease; increases risk for AML
  • Exposure to tobacco smoke
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Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to leukemia. They can also vary depending on the type of leukemia and where the cancer cells are located. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:

  • Fever or night sweats
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Minor cuts that heal slowly
  • Excessive reaction to insect bites
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Headache
  • Pale skin
  • Bleeding and bruising easily
  • Nosebleeds]]>
  • Bleeding gums
  • Tiny red spots under the skin

Excess leukemia cells can gather in different parts of the body and organs creating:

  • Pain in the bones or joints
  • Puffy gums
  • Rash
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling of testicles
  • Swelling or discomfort in the abdomen (from enlarged spleen)
  • Swollen lymph nodes (particularly in neck or armpit)
  • Weight loss
  • Meningitis with headache, nausea, loss of muscle control, seizures, symptoms of stroke
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Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will check for swelling of the liver; spleen; or lymph nodes in the armpits, groin, and neck.

Tests may include the following:

  • Blood tests—to look for leukemia cells in blood
  • Bone marrow aspiration—a sample of liquid bone marrow is removed to look for cancer cells
  • Bone marrow biopsy]]> —liquid bone marrow and a piece of bone are removed to look for cancer cells

If cancer cells are found, additional tests may be done. These test check if the cancer has spread and what systems may already be affected.

  • ]]>Lumbar puncture]]> —removal of liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
  • ]]>Chest x-rays]]> —to look for signs of cancer in the chest
  • ]]>CT scan]]> —type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body
  • ]]>MRI scan]]> —test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
  • ]]>Ultrasound]]> —test that uses sound waves to examine masses and organs inside the body
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Treatment

The goal for acute leukemia is to destroy all signs of the disease and return the blood and bone marrow to normal. Chronic leukemia is rarely curable. Treatment focuses on slowing disease progression.

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Options include the following:

Medication

  • Drugs to stimulate production of healthy blood cells:
  • ]]>Imatinib]]> mesylate (Gleevec)—used to treat myeloid leukemia by reducing the number of cancer cells in the blood and bone marrow
  • ]]>Nilotinib]]> —targeted therapy similar to imatinib
  • ]]>Dasatinib]]> —targeted therapy similar to imatinib, if leukemia cells become resistant to imatinib

These drugs can cause infertility and early ]]>menopause]]> . Talk to your doctor about your fertility options before you start treatment.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be given in many forms including pill, injection, and via a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells. Some healthy cells are killed as well. The specific combination of drugs will depend on the type of leukemia, your age, and condition.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a type of treatment that uses radiation to kill cancer cells. Typically, it is only used to prepare for a bone marrow transplant or in some cases of chronic leukemia.

Surgery

  • ]]>Blood transfusions]]> —Healthy blood cells from a donor are given through an intravenous line (IV). This may be done if the leukemia is causing shortness of breath, fatigue, or severe bleeding.
  • ]]>Bone marrow transplant]]> —Stem cells from a donor’s healthy bone marrow are injected in you. Stem cells can make all types of blood cells. Once injected into your bloodstream, the stem cells should make healthy blood cells.
  • ]]>Splenectomy]]> —The spleen may need to be removed if it becomes congested with leukemia cells.

Biological Therapy (Immunotherapy)

The therapy uses medications or substances made by the body to improve your body’s defense against cancer. This type of treatment is still fairly new and under investigation. Talk with you doctor about whether this treatment is an option for you and about clinical trials in your area.

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Prevention

To help reduce your chance of getting leukemia, take the following steps:

  • Avoid exposure to benzene.
  • Avoid exposure to high levels of radiation when possible.
  • If you smoke, quit]]> .