Leukemia
You may be surprised to find that leukemia isnt just one type of cancer but actually a category of multiple cancers that affect our blood cells. Both children and adults can be diagnosed with these cancers, which cause our bone marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells.
These abnormal cells, called leukemic cells, can accumulate in the bone marrow and blood, crowding out any healthy white blood cells. The white blood cells exist to fight infection and disease. The leukemic cells also harm our platelets, which protects us from bleeding out, and the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout our bodies.
Leukemia can progress either rapidly (acutely) or slowly (chronically). Depending on its progression and the type of cell it affects, a leukemia diagnosis can fall into four broad categories. Regardless of the type, infection, anemia and bleeding are common effects of this cancer.
Recently Answered
- Q When should I call my doctor if I have leukemia?
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Call your doctor to schedule an appointment if you have any symptoms, such as: A new lump or swollen gland in your neck, under your arm or in your groin. Frequent nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums or rectum, more frequent bruising or very heavy... Full Answer
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- Q What increases my risk for leukemia?
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Exposure to chemotherapy or radiation, certain chemicals, and some disorders are the chief risk factors for leukemia. Chemotherapy, or at least certain types such as alkylating agents or topoisomerase inhibitors, raises the risk of developing leukemia.... Full Answer
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- Q Can leukemia be prevented?
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Apart from being aware of certain risk factors, it is impossible to say exactly how to prevent leukemia. Having certain risk factors does not mean that one will develop the disease, and likewise having none of the risk factors does not guarantee... Full Answer
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- Q What is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
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Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a cancer that mostly affects the blood and bone marrow, the tissue that makes blood cells. Less common in adults than it is in children, the disease is also called acute lymphocytic leukemia, and is commonly... Full Answer
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- Q What causes acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
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Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a cancer that mostly affects the blood and bone marrow, the tissue that makes blood cells. Less common in adults than it is in children, the disease is also called acute lymphocytic leukemia, and is commonly... Full Answer
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- Q How common is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
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Dr. Louise Sivak, PediatricsALL affects approximately 40-50 children between the ages of 2 and 18 years per million children in the US each year. Most larger children's hospitals see between 50 and 80 new cases annually. ALL is the most common cancer in children. Full Answer
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- Q Is adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia serious?
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The overall outlook for an adult diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia depends on several factors. Whereas once a diagnosis was as good as a death sentence, today treatment offers a hope of survival. The factors affecting the prognosis, or outlook,... Full Answer
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- Q What is the rate of incidence for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
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Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is much more common in children than in adults. In fact, a quarter of all cancers affecting children under 15 years of age are acute lymphoblastic leukemias. After that age, the disease becomes less common, although rates... Full Answer
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- Q How do other illnesses affect adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
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Because the disease affects white blood cells, acute lymphoblastic leukemia opens the body up to a variety of other infections. This is because white blood cells are the front-line soldiers in the body's fight against bacterial infection. In fact,... Full Answer
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- Q How does adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia affect the body?
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Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia affects the body by disrupting the normal balance of white and red blood cells in the body. Reduced levels of white blood cells, which normally defend the body from infection, can lead to higher chances of catching... Full Answer
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