Leukemia

  • Leukemia
    Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and teens, accounting for almost 1 out of 3 cancers. Overall, however, childhood leukemia is a rare disease. About 3 out of 4 leukemias among children and teens are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Most of the remaining cases are acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The 5-year survival rate for children with AML has also increased over time, and is now in the range of 60% to 70%. The word leukemia is derived from the Greek leukos which means "white" and aima which means "blood”. Thus leukemia is used to describe the abnormal increase in the WBCs or leukocytes.  
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 9 February 2016

What is Leukemia?
Blood is a specialised organ that differs from other organs in that it exists in fluid (liquid) state. It makes up approximately 7% to 10% of normal body weight and amounts to 5 to 6L of volume.

Blood is made up of  three types of cells and certain cellular fragments floating in a liquid called plasma. Red Blood Cells (RBCs) or Erythrocytes are responsible for carrying oxygen to various parts of the body while the White Blood Cells (WBCs) or Leukocytes help with the body’s defence system. Platelets are the blood's clotting mechanism.

Leukemia is cancer of the blood-forming stem cells. Blood stem cells are found in the bone marrow and develop into the different cells of the blood. Stem cells primarily form the lymphoid or myeloid stem cells, which further go on to differentitate into the red blood cells, various white blood cells and platelets.

Leukemia occurs when the blood stem cells makes excessive blast cells. These blast cells in turn have abnormal development and fail to make RBCs, WBCs or platelets. The abnormal blast cells are called Leukemia cells. The leukemia can affect the lymphoid or myeloid cells.

 

 

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Cancer
Condition
Leukemia

Stories

  • Leukemia Diagnosis and Tests
    Diagnosing leukemia Physical Exam: During a physical exam, a doctor may look for lumps (formed by accumulation of abnormal cells in the skin). Also known as Choloromas or Skin rashes. A thorough medical history will be taken and the patient can report a family history of leukemia or any symptoms or risk factors. Blood Tests: Blood tests, like a complete blood count (CBC) can detect leukemia. A CBC determines the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. It can also count…
  • Leukemia Types and Stages
    What are the types of leukemia? There are several classification systems for classifying leukemia. However, based on degree of disease progression, the two major forms are acute and chronic. Acute leukemia is fast-growing and can overwhelm the body within a few weeks or months. The new cells, called blasts (immature WBCs) cannot perform normal physiological functions. Due to longer life span, these cells continue to rise in circulation. Chronic leukemia in contrast progresses slowly. The blood-…
  • Management of Leukemia
    During the treatment of leukemia, it is important to manage the side effects of the treatment and maintain a healthy lifestyle to the extent possible. Read tips on how to manage the various aspects of a healthy and balanced diet, ensure enough nutrition, regular exercise to ensure oxygen supply to cells.  If the treatment includes Chemotherapy, there will be certain side effects. Here are some tips on managing the side effects of Chemotherapy.  Join a support group that you can speak…
  • Leukemia Prevention
    Preventing Leukemia Since the causes of leukemia are not known, it is difficult to define clear preventive measures. The best you can do is reduce impact of risk factors of Leukemia. Some types of leukemias can be prevented by avoiding high doses of radiation, smoking, tobacco use, chemical substances like benzene and certain chemotherapeutic agents used for other cancers.   
  • Leukemia Causes and Risk Factors
    What are the causes of leukemia? The exact cause of leukemia is unknown. Different kinds of leukemia are believed to have different causes. Environmental and heriditary factors seem to play a role. Some are inherited and some are non-inherited factors.  Risk factors of Leukemia Exposure to radiation.  Atomic bomb survivors in Japan had a signifiant risk, even to fetuses exposed during intitial months.Risks associated with CT scans and X-rays is not yet known. Previous treatments…
  • Signs and Symptoms of Leukemia
    What are the signs and symptoms of leukemia? Blood clotting is poor - Incompletely matured white blood cells crowd out blood platelets, which are crucial for blood clotting. Hence patient may bruise or bleed easily and heal slowly. He may also develop petechiae (small red or purple colour spots on the body, caused by minor haemorrhage). Immune system affected - The patient's white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting against infection, may be suppressed or not working properly.…
  • Leukemia
    What is Leukemia? Blood is a specialised organ that differs from other organs in that it exists in fluid (liquid) state. It makes up approximately 7% to 10% of normal body weight and amounts to 5 to 6L of volume. Blood is made up of  three types of cells and certain cellular fragments floating in a liquid called plasma. Red Blood Cells (RBCs) or Erythrocytes are responsible for carrying oxygen to various parts of the body while the White Blood Cells (WBCs) or Leukocytes help with the body’…
  • We need a different attitude towards cancer
    A Mumbai-based mother talks about her son’s cancer (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) treatment in India and the US. As told to Utsa Shah.  My son Anshuman was diagnosed with T cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was 13 years old. This was in 2011. He had just participated in the Mumbai Marathon. So, when he complained of weakness and pain in his legs, we initially put it down to the exertion of the marathon. He was also eating a lot less. When his condition did …

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