LEUKEMIA CANCER EXPLAINED

LEUKEMIA CANCER EXPLAINED

Leukemia is a blood cancer caused by a rise in the number of white blood cells in the body. These white blood cells numerically surpass red blood cells and platelets which is unnecessary. Normally, the bone marrow produces more blood cells than white blood. But with this condition, the bone marrow makes a lot of white blood cells as compared to red blood cells and platelets leading to Leukemia. The body as well becomes prone to several infections. The term ‘Leukemia’ is also used to describe the four types of blood cancer. These are the types of Leukemia (blood cancer):  Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Types of Leukemia cancer are named after the blood cells involved and their attacking progression.

Classifications of Leukemia based on the cells attacked

1.        Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The disease is also known as Lymphocytic or lymphoid Leukemia. It develops in the white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow.

2.       Myeloid Leukemia

It is also known as Myelogenous Leukemia. May also start in white blood cells other than Lymphocytes, as well as red blood cells and platelets.

Classifications of Leukemia based on attack progression

1.       Acute Leukemia

It progresses drastically leading to the accumulation of immature and functionless blood cells in the bone marrow. The condition disables the proper functioning of the bone marrow because of too much accumulation of white blood cells. As the result, the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells and the condition gets bad very easily.

2.       Chronic Leukemia

It develops slowly. There are some immature blood cells and the normal blood cells which are available can function well. It is abnormal with the white blood cells and its signs and symptoms are later discovered than with Acute Leukemia. The slow progression of this type of Leukemia allows healthier blood cells to be produced than white blood cells. 

The common types of Leukemia

1.       Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

It progresses rapidly since the production of white blood cells surpasses that of red blood cells and platelets. Therefore, there are more white blood cells that red blood cells and platelets. In addition to that, this speedy production of white blood cells results in immature white cells which do not function accordingly in the body to accumulate in the bone marrow. This destabilizes the normal functions of the body since the defensive system of the body in general is disturbed. Lack of red blood cells, for example, leads to anemic conditions. Likewise, a shortage of platelets leads to long-lasting bruises, wounds, or persistent bleeding on the body. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, and some of which may resemble flu.

Possible causes of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

·         Changes in DNA (mutation) cause the bone marrow to produce too many abnormal lymphocytes (types of white blood cells) which do not defend the body against infections as they are intended to function. This is considered the exact causal factor of ALL.

·         Being male, white, and older than 70 years

·         Having a history of chemotherapy or radiation exposure

                     Some treatment options for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

·         Chemotherapy

·         Radiation therapy

·         Stem cell transplant

·         Targeted therapy

2.       Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukemia (CLL)

It is slow-growing cancer. It starts in lymphocytes and extends into blood cells. Unfortunately, it may further affect lymph nodes and other organs such as the liver and spleen. It grows when too many abnormal lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow making the body not to fight diseases normally. Some of the symptoms include swelling in the lymph nodes (such as neck, underarms, stomach, or groin), fatigue, fever, infection, weight loss, etc.

Treatment options for CLL

·         Targeted therapy

·         Chemotherapy

·         Radiation therapy

·         Immunotherapy

3.       Acute Myeloid Leukemia(AML)

It is also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. It is a fast-growing form of cancer in the blood and bone marrow. Both Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Acute Myeloid Leukemia overproduce abnormal white blood cells that crowd healthy blood cells thereby disturbing the body’s defensive system.  Symptoms of this type of cancer include fever, fatigue, and night sweats. Some of those symptoms resemble the flu. They may also include easy bruising or bleeding and weight loss.

Possible factors to AML

·         Being male

·         Smoking

·         Having a history of chemotherapy or radiation exposure

                      Treatment options for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

·         Chemotherapy

·         Radiation therapy

·         Stem cell transplant

·         Targeted therapy

4.       Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

It is slow-developing cancer also known as chronic myelogenous Leukemia. It starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. As time passes by, it spread to the blood and eventually to other parts of the body. Fatigue, fever, weight loss, and an enlarged spleen are some of its symptoms. 

Treatment options for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

·         Targeted therapy

·         Stem cell transplant

·         Chemotherapy

·         Immunotherapy