Leukemia

Leukemia General Information

Leukemia is a quite commonly known cancerous medical condition. Like all other cancers, it begins in the organism’s cells. The blood presents three types of cells. The white blood cells are supposed to help fight infections away. The platelets control bleeding by forming blood clots. The red blood cells are known to spread the oxygen throughout the patient’s organism. If a patient is suffering from this type of cancer, his or her bone marrow is known to produce unhealthy white blood cells. Although they function normally at the beginning, they start to crowd out the healthy white blood cells, the platelets and the red blood cells. For this reason, the blood is unable to cope with its responsibilities.

There are two main forms of Leukemia: the chronic form (in which the worsening of the disorder is very slow), and the acute form (in which the disorder worsens at a high rate). Patients who are suffering from an early stage of the chronic form of this type of cancer do not present any symptoms, as even the abnormal white blood cells are able to cope with their responsibilities. However, in time, as the disorder worsens, the patient will present abnormally high levels of white blood cells in his or her organism. Individuals who are suffering from the acute form of this type of cancer present very abnormal white blood cells. For this reason, even in the early stages of the disorder, the blood can no longer cope with its functions. The number of cancerous cells rapidly rises. This medical disorder is known to be quite severe, as it may lead to the death of the patient. Early diagnosis and early therapy is crucial.

Leukemia Symptoms

The cancerous cells are known to spread throughout the patient’s organism. Depending on the severity of his or her medical condition and on the place in which the cancerous cells collect, the patient may develop a set of symptoms that are considered common for the presence of Leukemia. The usual clinical manifestations that are associated with the presence of this type of cancer include: night sweats, fever, weakness, tiredness, frequent infections, headaches, easy bleeding, easy bruising, weight loss, pain of the joints and / or bones, swollen lymph nodes (that are generally located in the armpit and / or leg), discomfort and / or swelling in the abdomen (that is due to an enlarged spleen), and so on.

However, it is easily seen that these signs are not sure signs of this cancerous condition. Another medical condition (such as an infection) may also lead to the appearance of these medical symptoms. For this reason, it is recommended that all patients who develop this medical disorder should immediately seek medical help. Only a well trained health care provider can set a clear diagnosis (determine whether the patient is suffering from Leukemia or not).

As in the early stages of the chronic form of this medical condition that patient’s blood cells complete their normal function, the individual does not present any symptoms. Physicians often spot the presence of this cancerous medical condition during a routine medical check up. Patients who are suffering from Acute Leukemia present symptoms even in the early stages of their disorder. Their manifestations gradually worsen. The cancerous cells can collect in the male patient’s testicles, causing swelling. Other individuals develop sores on the skin or in the eyes. The presence of this condition can also cause damage to the patient’s lungs, kidneys, digestive tract, etc.

Leukemia Treatment

A well trained specialist is the best person to inform you about the most effective therapy options against this type of medical condition. However, in this chapter, we intend to present you a set of basic information regarding the most common treatments that are employed in the fight against this cancerous medical disorder. The choice for the proper therapy option depends on the extent and type of the medical condition; thus, the individual might undergo biological therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, and so on. If the individual presents an enlarged spleen, surgical removal of the organ is recommended.

Patients who have been diagnosed with the acute form of Leukemia need to receive the proper medical attention that they require as soon as possible. The goal of the therapy is to lead to a remission. Then, after the patient’s symptoms have disappeared, further therapy is required in order to prevent the individual from experiencing a relapse. This type of treatment is known in the medical industry as maintenance therapy. In this way, many patients who have been diagnosed with this form of treatment have been cured. Individuals with the chronic form of this medical disorder may not need to receive immediate therapy. Their personal health care provider may suggest the first step to be watchful waiting.

Most individuals who are diagnosed with Leukemia undergo chemotherapy. This therapy is quite effective against the disorder, as it is able to kill cancerous cells. Depending on the type of this form of cancer that the patient is suffering from, he or she will be prescribed a treatment with a single medical product or with several medicines. Biological therapy is sometimes effective against this form of cancer. This treatment option aims to improve the organism’s natural defenses against cancer. This therapy is generally administered IV (intravenously). Some patients who are suffering from chronic myeloid Leukemia receive a therapy with Interferon, while those who present the chronic lymphocytic form of this type of cancer intake monoclonal antibodies.

Some individuals who have been diagnosed with Leukemia undergo a surgical procedure known as stem cell transplant. Such a transplant enables a patient to receive a therapy with high doses of medical products, radiation therapy, or these two treatment option combined. After this, the individual receives healthy stem cells that give birth to new blood cells. There are a few types of stem cell transplant. The most common of them are: bone marrow transplant, peripheral stem cell transplant, umbilical cord blood transplant, autologous stem cell transplant, allogeneic stem cell transplant, syngeneic stem cell transplantation, and so on. Your physician will be more than happy to provide you with further information regarding this matter.