Difference between revisions of "Leukemia"

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'''Leukemia''' is [[cancer]] of the developing [[blood cell]]s in the [[bone marrow]]. Leukemia leads to rampant overproduction of [[white blood cell]]s (leukocytes); symptoms usually include [[anemia]], [[fever]], enlarged [[liver]], [[spleen]], and/or [[lymph]] nodes.
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'''Leukemia''' is [[cancer]] of the developing [[blood cell]]s, also known as blasts, in the [[bone marrow]]. Leukemia leads to rampant overproduction of [[white blood cell]]s (leukocytes); symptoms usually include [[anemia]], [[fever]], enlarged [[liver]], [[spleen]], and/or [[lymph]] nodes.
  
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There are different types of leukemia, differentiated by the type of white blood cell involved, and they have different rates of progression.  Faster-progressing leukemias tend to be more common among children, while the slower types tend to be seen more often in the elderly.
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==Types==
  
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Leukemia is 100% fatal if not treated, death usually being caused by internal hemorrhage and/or serious infections. It can be treated by radiation or certain drugs, and [[bone marrow]] transplants are used when compatible donors are available.
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Leukemias are differentiated by the type of white blood cell involved, and the speed at which they develop.
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The four most common types of leukemia are:
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==Symptoms==
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The effects of leukemias are due to the displacement of normal cell linages in the bone marrow, and the involvement of other organs. These include:
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** anaemia - a deficiency in red blood cells, reducing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood producing lethargy, and increasing the risk of hypoxic events (such as acute coronary syndrome)
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** leukipenia - a deficiency in white blood cells, reducing the body's ability to fight infection
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** thrombocytopenia - a deficiency in platelets, increasing the risk of bleeds; less common than the others
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** lymphadenopathy - due to involvement of the lymph nodes
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** hypersplenism - due to the breakdown of blasts, can cause sequestration of normal cells and increases the risk of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (a clotting disorder)
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** boney involvement - causing bone pain
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**
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==Treatment==
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The mainstay of treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy. Cytotoxic agents are introduced into the body according to strict protocols. These affect rapidly dividing cells, including not only leukemia cells, but also normal blood cells, hair, and the mucosal surfaces lining the gastrointestinal tract.
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==Prognosis==
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Acute leukemias are always fatal if not treated, death usually being caused by internal hemorrhage and/or serious infections. Chronic leukaemias can occur for years without complications, and death most commonly occurs with
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It is most commonly treated through chemotherapy, and [[bone marrow]] transplants are used when compatible donors are available.
  
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==

Revision as of 04:55, June 28, 2014

Leukemia is cancer of the developing blood cells, also known as blasts, in the bone marrow. Leukemia leads to rampant overproduction of white blood cells (leukocytes); symptoms usually include anemia, fever, enlarged liver, spleen, and/or lymph nodes.

Types

Leukemias are differentiated by the type of white blood cell involved, and the speed at which they develop.

The four most common types of leukemia are:


Symptoms

The effects of leukemias are due to the displacement of normal cell linages in the bone marrow, and the involvement of other organs. These include:

    • anaemia - a deficiency in red blood cells, reducing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood producing lethargy, and increasing the risk of hypoxic events (such as acute coronary syndrome)
    • leukipenia - a deficiency in white blood cells, reducing the body's ability to fight infection
    • thrombocytopenia - a deficiency in platelets, increasing the risk of bleeds; less common than the others
    • lymphadenopathy - due to involvement of the lymph nodes
    • hypersplenism - due to the breakdown of blasts, can cause sequestration of normal cells and increases the risk of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (a clotting disorder)
    • boney involvement - causing bone pain


Treatment

The mainstay of treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy. Cytotoxic agents are introduced into the body according to strict protocols. These affect rapidly dividing cells, including not only leukemia cells, but also normal blood cells, hair, and the mucosal surfaces lining the gastrointestinal tract.

Prognosis

Acute leukemias are always fatal if not treated, death usually being caused by internal hemorrhage and/or serious infections. Chronic leukaemias can occur for years without complications, and death most commonly occurs with

It is most commonly treated through chemotherapy, and bone marrow transplants are used when compatible donors are available.

Sources

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