Chat Support (Mon-Sat | 12am-12pm)

Leukemia

Leukemia

December 6, 2021
Leukemia

Leukemia is a type of cancer found in the blood and bone marrow. It is due to the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. The abnormal production of white blood cells leads to impairment of the bone marrow and failure to fight against infections.

Types of Leukemia

  1. Acute leukemia. The cancer cells grow and spread faster and affect the body adversely.
  2. Chronic leukemia. The cancer cells are mature and similar to the cells in the body. The symptoms of chronic leukemia are not noticeable right away.
  3. Myeloid. It affects myeloid cells that grow into white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
  4. Lymphocytic or lymphoblastic. It affects lymphoid cells that grow into the white blood cell called a lymphocyte.
Leukemia
Leukemia

The Typical Types of Leukemia

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Symptoms of Leukemia

  • Excessive sweating that occurs intensely at night
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Rapid weight loss
  • Bone pain and tenderness
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Enlarged liver
  • Red spots on the skin
  • Easy bruising and bleeding
  • Chills and fever
  • Frequent infections

Leukemia can also cause symptoms in the organs that the cancer cell penetrates. It can spread in the nervous system and cause:

  • Headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Loss of muscle control
  • Seizures

Causes and Risk Factors of Leukemia

Leukemia
Chemotherapy

There are no specific causes of leukemia but, there are several risk factors for developing the disease. Some of these risk factors include:

  • History of chemotherapy or radiation for other types of cancers
  • Down syndrome and other genetic disorders
  • Blood disorders
  • Exposure to the chemical benzene
  • Family history of leukemia

Survival Rate of Leukemia

A recent figure indicates that 61.4% of patients with all types of leukemia survive five years after diagnosis. A 5-year survival rate looks at how many people are still alive five years after their diagnosis. Most people with leukemia are over 55, with a median age of diagnosis of 66.

How to Diagnose Leukemia?

Your doctor will assess your symptoms and the severity of your condition. Diagnostic tests include:

  • Blood test. Your doctor may recommend a complete blood count to look at the number and maturity of different types of blood cells.
  • Bone marrow biopsy. It involves marrow taken from your pelvic bone with a long needle to determine the type of leukemia.
  • Spinal tap. It involves fluid from your spinal cord to determine whether leukemia has spread.
  • Imaging tests. CT scan, MRI, and PET scans can spot signs of leukemia.

Treatment for Leukemia

  • Anti-cancer drugs
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Biologic therapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Stem cell transplant
  • Surgery

Top rated products

Recent reviews

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER :

All information contained on the Website, including information related to medical and health conditions or products and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals or any information contained on or in any product packaging or labels. This information is thus often presented in a summary or aggregate form.

You should not use any of the information contained on the website for diagnosing a health problem or prescribing a medication. This information is provided by the manufacturers of the products on or in the product packaging and labels for you to carefully read before using any product purchased on the website. It is always advised to consult your own physician and / or medical advisor before buying it.

Trusted Medications Pharmacy © 2023. All rights reserved.