What is it?
Leukemia is a type of cancer not a specific cancer, it happens when old blood cells do not die when they are supposed to. This is caused by abnormal bone marrow.
Types
Chronic leukemia is the earliest form of the disease and still allows the body to function normally without any symptoms but slowly it get worse.
Acute leukemia- blood cells are not doing what they are supposed to be doing and things worsen quickly.
These are the two basic types of leukemia it only branches from here, however there are other types that are very rare with little known about them.
Who is at risk?
Little is known about the causes of leukemia but what seems to be clear these people may have a higher risk at getting it.
Those who:
- Have experienced high levels of radiation (radiation can cause all types of cancer)
- Have had exposure to certain chemicals
- Have down syndrome (are more likely to get leukemia)
- Have human T-cell leukemia virus
Symptoms
-
Night sweats
- Sudden fatigue or weakness
- Bleeding and bruising easily
- Pain in the bones or joints
- Weight loss
- Discomfort in the abdomen
Diagnosis
Leukemia is diagnosed through a physical-ray, blood test, spinal tap and bone marrow tests the latter of which are very painful but are eased by local anesthetics.
Treatment
Treatments include the common radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant (marrow is taken from a donor) and “watchful waiting” which is suggested to some lower risk leukemia patients.
Side affects of treatment
As with all radiation therapy it has its side affects chemo. affects cells that were not the target such as red and white blood cells.
Radiation also leads to hair loss and affects menstrual periods
Often after treatment supportive care is needed for leukemia patients because the treatments make them prone to other sicknesses and chemotherapy makes them anemic. Regular check-ups are also needed to prevent said sickness.
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