What You Need to Know About Leukemia
Leukemia is one of the most common childhood cancers that causes production of abnormal white blood cells. There are various types of leukemia, however, and they are not only limited to children.
Leukemia Basics
Leukemia is essentially a type of cancer that affects the blood or blood cells. Unfortunately, there is no known cause of leukemia, although researchers point out factors that will increase the risk of developing the illness such as genes and exposure to chemicals or radiation. Leukemia affects either the myelocytes or the lymphocytes in the blood, and can occur suddenly or develop slowly over time. There is no way to prevent leukemia and the chance or recovery will depend on the type, the severity of the illness, and the age of the person.
Some symptoms of leukemia may include swollen lymph nodes, bone and joint pain, night sweats, fever, fatigue, weight loss, bruising, bleeding, frequent infections, abdominal swelling and pain (because of an enlarged liver or spleen), red spots on the skin, and purple patches on the skin.
There are various types of leukemia based on the development of the illness and the types of blood cells that are affected.
Types of Leukemia
There are four categories of leukemia to date, such as the following:
The lymphoblastic types of leukemia primarily affect the immature white blood cells or lymphoblasts, while the word myelocyte refers to the bone marrow cells such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and megakaryocytes. Myelocytic leukemia therefore begins in the bone marrow where the new blood cells are formed.
Acute leukemia is characterized by the presence of immature blood cells that grow and divide fast, while chronic leukemia affects mature but abnormal cells. These cells cannot fight off infections and the person will not feel the effects for a long time.
Childhood Leukemia
Although not all leukemia cases are hereditary, a child will most likely develop it if he/she has an inherited disorder, immune system disorder or suppression, and has been exposed to high levels of chemicals or radiation.
Some of the symptoms include fatigue, frequent infections and fever, bleeding, bruising, shortness of breath, joint or bone pain, swollen parts of the body specifically the collarbone, weight loss, gum problems, headaches, seizures, and vision problems.
Before any treatment can be given, a proper diagnosis must determine the type of leukemia a child has. Some test may include blood tests, biopsy or aspiration of the bone marrow, and spinal tap.
Treatments for Leukemia
To treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the following may be recommended: chemotherapy, corticosteroids, stem cell transplant, radiation therapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
For acute myelogenous leukemia, the following are recommended: chemotherapy, stem cells transplant, and other medications.
For chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the following may be advised: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, antibiotics, and medication for infections or complications.
For chronic myelogenous leukemia, the following are recommended: stem cell transplant, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor.