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What Is Leukemia? What Causes Leukemia?
Editor's ChoiceMain Category: Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 17 Mar 2009 - 8:00 PDT
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'What Is Leukemia? What Causes Leukemia?'
'What Is Leukemia? What Causes Leukemia?'
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| Healthcare Prof: | | 3.88 (105 votes) |
| Article opinions: | 70 posts |
The word Leukemia comes from the Greek leukos which means "white" and aima which means "blood". It iscancer of the blood or bone marrow (which produces blood cells). A person who has leukemia suffers from an abnormal production of blood cells, generally leukocytes (white blood cells).
The DNA of immature blood cells, mainly white cells, becomes damaged in some way. This abnormality causes the blood cells to grow and divide chaotically. Normal blood cells die after a while and are replaced by new cells which are produced in the bone marrow. The abnormal blood cells do not die so easily, and accumulate, occupying more and more space. As more and more space is occupied by these faulty blood cells there is less and less space for the normal cells - and the sufferer becomes ill. Quite simply, the bad cells crowd out the good cells in the blood.
In order to better understand what goes on we need to have a look at what the bone marrow does.
Function of the bone marrow
The bone marrow is found in the inside of bones. The marrow in the large bones of adults produces blood cells. Approximately 4% of our total bodyweight consists of bone marrow.There are two types of bone marrow: 1. Red marrow, made up mainly of myeloid tissue. 2. Yellow marrow, made up mostly of fat cells. Red marrow can be found in the flat bones, such as the breast bone, skull, vertebrae, shoulder blades, hip bone and ribs. Red marrow can also be found at the ends of long bones, such as the humerus and femur.
White blood cells (lymphocytes), red blood cells and platelets are produced in the red marrow. Red blood cells carry oxygen, white blood cells fight diseases. Platelets are essential for blood clotting. Yellow marrow can be found in the inside of the middle section of long bones.
If a person loses a lot of blood the body can convert yellow marrow to red marrow in order to raise blood cell production.
White blood cells, red blood cells and platelets exist in plasma - Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended.
Types of leukemia
Chronic and AcuteExperts divide leukemia into four large groups, each of which can be Acute, which is a rapidly progressing disease that results in the accumulation of immature, useless cells in the marrow and blood, or Chronic, which progresses more slowly and allows more mature, useful cells to be made. In other words,acute leukemia crowds out the good cells more quickly than chronic leukemia.
Lymphocytic and Myelogenous
Leukemias are also subdivided into the type of affected blood cell. If the cancerous transformation occurs in the type of marrow that makes lymphocytes, the disease is called lymphocytic leukemia. A lymphocyte is a kind of white blood cell inside your vertebrae immune system. If the cancerous change occurs in the type of marrow cells that go on to produce red blood cells, other types of white cells, and platelets, the disease is called myelogenous leukemia.
To recap, there are two groups of two groups - four main types of leukemia, as you can see in the illustration below:
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), also known as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - This is the most common type of leukemia among young children, although adults can get it as well, especially those over the age of 65. Survival rates of at least five years range from 85% among children and 50% among adults. The following are all subtypes of this leukemia: precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia, precursor T acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Burkitt's leukemia, and acute biphenotypic leukemia.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) - This is most common among adults over 55, although younger adults can get it as well. CLL hardly ever affects children. The majority of patients with CLL are men, over 60%. 75% of treated CLL patients survive for over five years. Experts say CLL is incurable. A more aggressive form of CLL is B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) - AML is more common among adults than children, and affects males significantly more often than females. Patients are treated with chemotherapy. 40% of treated patients survive for over 5 years. The following are subtypes of AMS - acute promyelocytic leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) - The vast majority of patients are adults. 90% of treated patients survive for over 5 years. Gleevec (imatinib) is commonly used to treat CML, as well as some other drugs. Chronic monocytic leukemia is a subtype of CML.
Symptoms of leukemia
- Blood clotting is poor - As immature white blood cells crowd out blood platelets, which are crucial for blood clotting, the patient may bruise or bleed easily and heal slowly - he may also develop petechiae (a small red to purple spot on the body, caused by a minor hemorrhage).
- Affected immune system - The patient's white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting off infection, may be suppressed or not working properly. The patient may experience frequent infections, or his immune system may attack other good body cells.
- Anemia - As the shortage of good red blood cells grows the patient may suffer from anemia - this may lead to difficult or labored respiration (dyspnea) and pallor (skin has a pale color caused by illness).
- Other symptoms - Patients may also experience nausea, fever, chills, night sweats, flu-like symptoms, and tiredness. If the liver or spleen becomes enlarged the patient may feel full and will eat less, resulting in weight loss. Headache is more common among patients whose cancerous cells have invaded the CNS (central nervous system).
- Precaution - As all these symptoms could be due to other illnesses. A diagnosis of leukemia can only be confirmed after medical tests are carried out.
What causes leukemia?
Experts say that different leukemias have different causes. The following are either known causes, or strongly suspected causes:- Artificial ionizing radiation
- Viruses - HTLV-1 (human T-lymphotropic virus) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
- Benzene and some petrochemicals
- Alkylating chemotherapy agents used in previous cancers
- Maternal fetal transmission (rare)
- Hair dyes
- Genetic predisposition - some studies researching family history and looking at twins have indicated that some people have a higher risk of developing leukemia because of a single gene or multiple genes.
- Down syndrome - people with Down syndrome have a significantly higher risk of developing leukemia, compared to people who do not have Down syndrome. Experts say that because of this, people with certain chromosomal abnormalities may have a higher risk.
- Electromagnetic energy - studies indicate there is not enough evidence to show that ELF magnetic (not electric) fields that exist currently might cause leukemia. The IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) says that studies which indicate there is a risk tend to be biased and unreliable.
Treatments for leukemia
As the various types of leukemias affect patients differently, their treatments depend on what type of leukemia they have. The type of treatment will also depend on the patient's age and his state of health.In order to get the most effective treatment the patient should get treatment at a center where doctors have experience and are well trained in treating leukemia patients. As treatment has improved, the aim of virtually all health care professionals should be complete remission - that the cancer goes away completely for a minimum of five years after treatment.
Treatment for patients with acute leukemias should start as soon as possible - this usually involves induction therapy with chemotherapy, and takes place in a hospital.
When a patient is in remission he will still need consolidation therapy or post induction therapy. This may involve chemotherapy, as well as a bone marrow transplant (allogeneic stem cell transplantation).
If a patient has Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) his treatment should start as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed. He will be given a drug, probably Gleevec (imatinib mesylate), which blocks the BCR-ABL cancer gene. Gleevec stops the CML from getting worse, but does not cure it. There are other drugs, such as Sprycel (dasatinib) and Tarigna (nilotinb), which also block the BCR-ABL cancer gene. Patients who have not had success with Gleevec are usually given Sprycel and Tarigna. All three drugs are taken orally. A bone marrow transplant is the only current way of curing a patient with CML. The younger the patient is the more likely the transplant will be successful.
Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) may not receive any treatment for a long time after diagnosis. Those who do will normally be given chemotherapy or monoclonal antibody therapy. Some patients with CLL may benefit from allogeneic stem cell transplantation (bone marrow transplant).
All leukemia patients, regardless of what type they have or had, will need to be checked regularly by their doctors after the cancer has gone (in remission). They will undergo exams and blood tests. The doctors will occasionally test their bone marrow. As time passes and the patient continues to remain free of leukemia the doctor may decide to lengthen the intervals between tests.
How common is leukemia?
According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, there were approximately 13,410 new cases of AML (2007), 5,200 new cases of ACL (2007), 4,570 cases of CML (2007), and 15,110 new cases of CLL (2008) diagnosed in the USA.What is the difference between Leukemia and Lymphoma?
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood. Lymphoma is of the lymphatic system (lymph glands).Leukemia news
For the latest news on leukemia, and to sign up to newsletters or news alerts, please visit our leukemia news section.Sources - Wikipedia, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Cancer Research UK,BMJ.
Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Visitor Opinions (latest shown first)
Total 70 opinions, latest 20 shown. For all opinions, click through to thefull thread.had leukemia
posted by Nick Flores on 5 Jun 2012 at 11:49 amDoc said Iam fine done allthe chimo Iambackto work already 5month working .then my whit blood cll downagain . Igonna had bone marroww test next week I work in car manufacturing. I think I git this disease at work. Iam donn't smoke and drink. CO. Iam working give meonly $month heal Insurance and the UNion also $ monh health Ins. Iam back to work .Iam so worried now . hope god will guide me .| post followup | alert a moderator |
advise
posted by kaitlin on 29 May 2012 at 8:39 pm@kat umm is it chronic lmphocytic leukemia??| post followup | alert a moderator |
this is my problem...:((...im so scared
posted by mery joy guden on 27 May 2012 at 9:04 pmim so scared when i know all about luekemia....
i dont want to die....at this age i have a lots of dreams that i have to reach ...
...
......i hope someday i am cure...!!
coz honestly....this problem..and untill now i carry this...
| post followup | alert a moderator |
if you can you can
posted by Harshita Sharma on 21 May 2012 at 12:21 amthere is the need to those person who suffer from leukemia an tell all times that "aal is well" it gives the support and give every moment is for enjoy there life| post followup | alert a moderator |
Acute Leukemia
posted by Audrey on 18 May 2012 at 2:47 pmMy friend died of Acute Leukemia, but I'm not really sure which kind and I really want to find out. She didn't know she had it until the day before she died on January 2, 2012. She was fifteen.| post followup | alert a moderator |
I have leukemia
posted by ur mom on 18 May 2012 at 8:58 ami have leukemia im dying help me please SOMEONE... im serious!!!| post followup | alert a moderator |
Hello
posted by caitlin on 17 May 2012 at 11:48 amHow is yur mother doing if you dont mind em asking?Me friend was just diangonsed with this cancer as well.
| post followup | alert a moderator |
yenny
posted by shuvash on 9 May 2012 at 12:00 ammy friend yenny is on leukemia bone marrow problem, i don't know how can she will free, her suffering i'm a witness ,i have no no way to help her, i think i will not alive long time , my tension too much , she will free from or not i want to know from Lord , plz Lord Buddha Bless her and she be free from the dangerous disease leukemia. i miss her too much, i all night crying to her and thinking too much for her. shuvash from Bangladesh,| post followup | alert a moderator |
Rare Leukemia
posted by Kat on 8 May 2012 at 3:59 amMy 17yr old cousin has just been diagnosed with a rare type of Leukemia which usually affects those aged 50+apparently it has only been found in approx. 1000 cases.
Could anyone advise me on which type this is?
My thoughs are with all of you.
| post followup | alert a moderator |
Leukemia - why so many worker in onr place have it?
posted by sylvia on 7 May 2012 at 1:27 pmmy husband work at a plant and in the last 16 years there been many poeple who died from leukemia and cancer am black and leukemia i know little about cancer yes my question is why so many poeple who work at a GM plant got this disease and why like the Pop Corn Factory no one is taking notice of the lost of life if it one are two it not ok but last 7 years meeting many poeple to only found out their love one died all so of cancer and leukemia it hurt to think that we loss are love on to this then for me to think that the lace we work could be at fault but cause of something they work with| post followup | alert a moderator |
Swimming pool consultant
posted by Alan Lewis on 16 Apr 2012 at 8:18 amIs it possible that intensive training of competitive swimmers in pools which have appreciable residuals of Chloroform (CHCl3) and Nitrogen trichloride (NCl3)can lead to cancer such as Leukaemia? Yesterday Murray Rose an Australian Olympian (at age 17 in Melbourne Olympics and in Rome 4 years later)dies at age 73 in Sydney. He was a vegan all his life - a very strong sportsman who continued to swim all his life.| post followup | alert a moderator |
my mom
posted by jaan on 22 Mar 2012 at 7:03 pmmy mom was diagnosed with leukemia 2 weeks ago she's really sick,she starts chemo on monday or tuesday,i'am scared and frighten for her ,all i can do now is PRAY .| post followup | alert a moderator |
A Healthy Diet?
posted by Bruce on 6 Mar 2012 at 10:44 amI'm quite shocked that no doctors or oncologists,in this article, suggest a good healthy diet, and also to refrain from eating certain foods. Are they all nutritionally illiterate?| post followup | alert a moderator |
I want to establish my own foundation on leukemia in africa and educate people about it.
posted by awudu ankrah on 3 Mar 2012 at 6:35 pmHELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO ESTABLISH MY LEUKEMIA FOUNDATION IN AFRICA AND EDUCATE PEOPLE OF AFRICA ABOUT LEUKEMIA.from AWUDU ANKRAH
ATHENS GREECE
| post followup | alert a moderator |
Stem Cells at 61
posted by Mike Stringfield on 19 Feb 2012 at 1:56 pmI was told I had AML Leukemia and went right into chemo 2 days later after a cell count. I was given the strongest series of chemo available at the time at St. Jude Hosp. in Fullerton Calif. I then was transfered to City of Hope and recieved a Stem Cell transplant . I am now 63 and doing fine. I can not say enough positive things about the Doctors that treated me . Dr. Park at St. Jude is great and very caring. Dr. O' Donnell at City of Hope is a blessing and the most understanding doctor I have ever been treated by. I go back and see Dr. O'Donnell every 6 weeks from here on out.| post followup | alert a moderator |
Answers...
posted by Jenny on 6 Feb 2012 at 5:55 amhttp://www.lls.org/resourcecenter/faqs/answers most of these questions.
There is also an article on Familial leukemia here:
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/156/6/517.full
which may be of interest.
| post followup | alert a moderator |
????
posted by gojo on 6 Feb 2012 at 4:22 amhi, im so concern bout her if she is at risk of leukemia since her mother died because of it ..Coz ive notice she was pale and always suffer from neck pain and headache . .
is there any chance she can inherit it??? . .
need ur knowledge . .
| post followup | alert a moderator |
My wife died from Leukemia
posted by SHARAD BARIA on 30 Jan 2012 at 3:56 amsir,My Wife passed away from Leukemia on 5 September 2011 she was 40y's old and I miss her, this article helped me understand Leukemia more.
SHARAD BARIA
| post followup | alert a moderator |
i now know
posted by diala on 30 Jan 2012 at 3:01 amI only wanted to know more about this disease,and i 've known now.thanks| post followup | alert a moderator |
afraid to leave my family.. especially my baby
posted by heck on 29 Jan 2012 at 1:20 am... GOD PLEASE ..I AM AFRAID TO DISCOVER THAT I HAVE LEUKEMIA..I AM SUFFERING FROM ALL THOSE SYMPTOMS AND MORE THAN THAT.. I KNOW THERE IS A MIRACLE... WE HAVE NO MONEY FOR IT TO CURE... IM JUST HOLDING ON PRAYERS..MY ONLY HOPE...):| post followup | alert a moderator |
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