The area I researched was the cancer Leukemia and the different types of it. I researched this area because I wanted to fully understand what Leukemia is an d what Joey had to go through.
Throughout my research I have learned many things about Leukemia. I have learned that there are four main types of Leukemia: acute myelogenous (where cancer develops in myeloid cells and spreads quickly), chronic myelogenous Leukemia (where cancer develops in myeloid cells but spreads slowly), acute lymphocytic leukemia (where cancer develops in lymphoid cells and spreads very fast) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (where cancer develops in lymphoid cells, but spreads slowly).
I also learned many of the most common symptoms that come along with leukemia. These symptoms include: frequent infections and fever, pale skin, fatigue, weakness, bleeding, bruising, fever and chills, loss of appetite, loss of weight, swollen and tender lymph nodes, liver and spleen, swollen or bleeding gums, and bone and joint pain.
I recall that Joey had several fo these symptoms and had a lot of pain. Some of this was due to his treatment. I have found that several different types of treatment include biological therapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants.
Biological therapy, also known as chemotherapy, is treatment that affects the immune system's response to cancer. It also uses the body's immune system to fight the cancer using antibodies that destroy the leukemia cells. Radiation is treatment with high energy rays that destroy cancer cells. Radiation is helpful in treating cancer because cancer cells reproduce faster than regular cells. But radiation also kills normal cells to in the process, including white blood cells, which help the body fight the cancer.
Chemotherapy is usually paired with radiation treatment and is given in cycles consisting of a treatment period followed by a recovery period. The administered anti-cancer drugs reach all areas of the body through the bloodstream. Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells by stopping them from growing and multiplying. The downfall of this treatment is that it does kill healthy cells as well as the cancer cells. Because healthy cells are destroyed too, chemotherapy can cause many side effects. Bone marrow transplants are considered the best bet for a cure in most cases of leukemia. Doctors usually perform this procedure when the leukemia is in remission (in a non-active state). This transplant allows the production of normal white and red blood cells, making the body stronger and allowing higher doses of cancer fighting drugs to be taken.
Surgery is another treatment option for cancer. It is less likely to be considered a treatment option for leukemia patients however, because leukemia cells spread throughout the body in the blood stream making it difficult to target one specific area. In some cases, surgery can be performed to remove the spleen. The spleen may need to be removed because it can contain accumulated cancerous blood cells. This accumulation can cause the spleen to swell and displace other organs.
Current statistics show that the rate of leukemia survivors has gone up due to the advancements in technology in the medical field. Most likely, if Joey would have been a leukemia today, he may have been able to receive more advanced cancer and pain treatment. He probably would have lived longer and perhaps may have been a cancer survivor and he might have still be living today.
