Leukemia is a type of cancer of usually associated with blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow.
Leukemia is a type of cancer affecting the bone marrow and blood cells. It typically affects WBCs, which are responsible for protecting against infection and illness. Leukemia and its treatment affect many areas of the body, including blood, bones, the heart and other muscles, and the digestive system.
Leukemia begins in the developing blood cells in the bone marrow. All blood cells start out as hematopoietic (hemo = blood; poiesis = make) stem cells. The stem cells undergo multiple stages of development until they reach their adult form. First, blood stem cells develop into either myeloid cells or lymphoid cells
The white cells in the blood grow very quickly, over a matter of days to weeks. Sometimes a patient with acute leukemia has no symptoms or has normal blood work even a few weeks or months before the diagnosis.
Many types exist such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Many patients with slow-growing types of leukemia don’t have symptoms. Rapidly growing types of leukemia may cause symptoms that include fatigue, weight loss, frequent infections, and easy bleeding or bruising. Treatment is highly variable.
For slow-growing leukemia, treatment may include monitoring. For aggressive leukemia, treatment includes chemotherapy that’s sometimes followed by radiation and stem-cell transplant.
Some of the most common symptoms experienced by all leukemia patients prior to diagnosis include the following;
Fatigue
Swollen lymph nodes.
Stomach discomfort.
Nausea or vomiting.
Numbness in hands or feet.
Heart palpitations.
Loss of concentration.
Sleeping problems.
Headaches.
At what age can you get leukemia?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is most common in children 2 to 8 years old. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) can happen at any age, but most cases happen in kids younger than 2 and teens. Chronic myelogenous leukemia is most common in teens. Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) affects infants and toddlers.
The latest figures show that the 5-year survival rate for all subtypes of leukemia is 61.4 percent.
A 5-year survival rate looks at how many people are still alive 5 years after their diagnosis. Leukemia is most common in people aged over 55, with the median age of diagnosis being 66.
By looking at a sample of your blood, your doctor can determine if you have abnormal levels of red or white blood cells or platelets — which may suggest leukemia. A blood test may also show the presence of leukemia cells, though not all types of leukemia cause the leukemia cells to circulate in the blood.
What are the first signs of leukemia in adults?
Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:
- Fever or chills.
- Persistent fatigue, weakness.
- Frequent or severe infections.
- Losing weight without trying.
- Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen.
- Easy bleeding or bruising.
- Recurrent nosebleeds.
- Tiny red spots on your skin (petechiae)
What can be done to prevent leukemia?
- You may lower your risk of developing leukemia by doing the following.
- Be a non-smoker. Not smoking is the best way to lower your risk of leukemia. …
- Maintain a healthy body weight. …
- Avoid breathing in benzene and formaldehyde. …
- More information about preventing cancer.
What happens if leukemia is not treated?
If this disease is left untreated, a person with leukemia becomes increasingly susceptible to fatigue, excessive bleeding and infections until, finally, the body becomes virtually defenseless, making every minor injury or infection very serious. Leukemia may be fatal.
How does leukemia affect the body?
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the body’s blood-forming cells in the bone marrow and lymphatic system. It can take one of several forms and spread at different rates, but most types of leukemia disrupt the production of healthy white blood cells that are designed to multiply, fight infections and die off.
How does leukemia spread from person to person?
A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma. Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 is spread by sharing syringes or needles, through blood transfusions or sexual contact, and from mother to child during birth or breastfeeding.
Can leukemia cause bowel problems?
In rare cases, leukemia cells may cause inflammation and ulcers in the intestines. You may experience symptoms similar to those of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and low nutrition or malabsorption. These may include diarrhea.
What is the best medicine for leukemia?
Drugs Approved for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
- Purixan (Mercaptopurine)
- Rubidomycin (Daunorubicin Hydrochloride)
- Rylaze (Asparaginase Erwinia Chrysanthemi [Recombinant]-rywn)
- Sprycel (Dasatinib)
- Tisagenlecleucel.
- Trexall (Methotrexate Sodium)
- Vincristine Sulfate.
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome.
Does lack of sleep cause leukemia?
Disruptions in the body’s “biological clock,” which controls sleep and thousands of other functions, may raise the odds of cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries, and prostate. Exposure to light while working overnight shifts for several years may reduce levels of melatonin, encouraging cancer to grow.
How does leukemia start?
Leukemia develops when the DNA of developing blood cells, mainly white cells, incurs damage. This causes the blood cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. Healthy blood cells die, and new cells replace them. These develop in the bone marrow
Does having leukemia hurt?
Leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) can cause bone or joint pain, usually because your bone marrow has become overcrowded with cancer cells. At times, these cells may form a mass near the spinal cord’s nerves or in the joints.
Can leukemia cause severe stomach pain?
Abdominal pain also may be a symptom. Leukemia cells can collect in the kidney, liver, and spleen, enlarging these organs. Pain in the abdomen may cause a loss of appetite and weight.
Can leukemia cause liver pain?
The usual symptoms a patient may experience when their CLL develops into Richter’s syndrome is increased swelling of the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver, a high fever, abdominal pain and even more weight loss.
Does leukemia cause stomach bloating?
Leukemia cells may build up in the liver and spleen, making them larger. This might be noticed as a fullness or swelling of the belly, or feeling full after eating only a small amount.
Is leukemia contagious?
Although the HTLV-I virus may cause this rare disease, adult T-cell leukemia and other types of leukemia are not contagious. Family history of leukemia: It’s rare for more than one person in a family to have leukemia. When it does happen, it’s most likely to involve chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Risk Factors for Leukemia
- A genetic predisposition.
- Down syndrome.
- Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Exposure to petrochemicals, such as benzene.
- Extensive exposure to artificial ionizing radiation.
- Alkylating chemotherapy agents are administered to treat other types of cancer. Exposure to cancer-causing agents
- Smoking
- History of radiation therapy or chemotherapy
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Rare genetic syndromes
- Family history
