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:
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:
These risk factors are thought to be related to leukemia. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
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:
Excess leukemia cells can gather in different parts of the body and organs creating:
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:
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.
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:
These drugs can cause infertility and early menopause . Talk to your doctor about your fertility options before you start treatment.
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 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.
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.
To help reduce your chance of getting leukemia, take the following steps:
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/
References:
Cecil R, Goldman L, Bennett JC. Cecil Textbook ofMedicine . 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2000.
Conn HF, Rakel RE. Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2001.
Leukemia. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website. Available at: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7026 . Accessed October 10, 2008.
Leukemia. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/leukemia/page1 . Accessed October 10, 2008.
Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc.; 2001.
What is leukemia? American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_1X_What_is_adult_acute_leukemia_57.asp?sitearea . Accessed October 10, 2008.
Last reviewed October 2008 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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