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

QWhat causes leukemia?

1 Answer

A

A Dr. Gloria J. Morris, MD , Hematology & Oncology, answered on behalf of The Mount Sinai Health System

Leukemias have various etiologies, and can be chronic or acute. Both these entities may result from various chromosomal translocations already inherent in the bone marrow, which allow malignant clones to grow uncontrollably until a critical level is reached, requiring treatment. Specifically, acute myeloid leukemia may be triggered after a history of myelodysplasia in the bone marrow, or may result from specific DNA aberrations induced by previous chemotherapy in a small percentage of patients.

Attempts to identify environmental factors as causative for acute leukemias, for example, have also shown a link between prolonged exposure to chemical solvents, petroleum, benzenes, pesticides, ionizing radiation and the development of acute myeloid leukemia. Often, however, no identifiable cause can be found, and thus no routine screening has been set as a standard for surveillance.
QWhat are the warning signs of leukemia?

1 Answer

A

A PhRMA answered

The early warning signs of leukemia include paleness, fatigue, weight loss, a tendency to bruise easily, repeated infections, and heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, such as nosebleeds. Any of these symptoms can appear suddenly in acute leukemia. Normally, a person with acute leukemia will feel sick due to these symptoms and see their doctor. The progress of chronic leukemia can be slow and produce no symptoms for years. Chronic leukemia is often detected by a doctor during a routine checkup, before the patient is aware of any symptoms.
QWhat are the types of leukemia?

2 Answers

A
A Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) answered
Leukemia is cancer that originates in blood-forming tissue. The disease is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes), in the bone marrow. The leukemia cells crowd out and replace normal blood and marrow cells.

There are four main types of leukemia:

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Another type of leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, is a rare subtype of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It is caused by an increased number of lymphocytes and progresses very slowly. It is called “hairy” because of the appearance of the leukemia cells under a microscope.

Leukemia is classified in two ways. One way is by the type of white blood cell that is affected (lymphoid or myeloid cells). Another way is by how quickly the disease develops and gets worse, meaning whether it is acute (fast-growing) or chronic (slow-growing).

Lymphocytic leukemia (also known as lymphoid or lymphoblastic leukemia) develops in the white blood cells called lymphocytes within the bone marrow. Myeloid leukemia (also known as myelogenous leukemia) may also start in white blood cells other than lymphocytes (e.g., monocytes), as well as red blood cells and platelets.

Acute leukemia is rapidly progressing and results in the accumulation of immature, functionless blood cells in the bone marrow. With this type of leukemia, cells reproduce and build up in the marrow, decreasing the marrow’s ability to produce enough healthy blood cells. Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly and results in the accumulation of relatively mature, but still abnormal, white blood cells.
See All 2 Answers
QWhat is leukemia?

3 Answers

A

A Jumo Health answered

Leukemia is a problem with white blood cells. White blood cells are made in the bone marrow. In leukemia, there’s a problem with the way white blood cells are made. The bone marrow makes faulty white blood cells, or leukemia cells, and doesn’t know when to stop making them. Eventually, the leukemia cells crowd out the normal blood cells and spill out into the bloodstream. From the bloodstream, the leukemia cells can travel all over the body.

See All 3 Answers
QWhat is childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia?

1 Answer

A

A Sigma Nursing answered

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a cancer that mostly affects the blood and bone marrow, the tissue that makes blood cells. The most common form of cancer among children, the disease is also called acute lymphocytic leukemia, and is commonly abbreviated as ALL. The disease spreads quickly and primarily targets immature blood cells forming in the bone marrow. It targets a specific type of blood cell called lymphocytes, more commonly known as white blood cells.
QHow do lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia differ?

1 Answer

A

A Sigma Nursing answered

The two main categories of leukemia are broken down based on which type of white blood cell the disease affects. In both types, the disease targets cells produced in the bone marrow that are released into the blood stream to fight infections. Collectively known as white blood cells, these cells can actually take on different forms, and different varieties of leukemia will only affect certain types of white blood cells. Lymphoblastic leukemia affects lymphoid cells, while myeloid leukemia affects myeloid cells. Symptoms are generally the same regardless of which cell is affected; the difference is mainly important for deciding what specific type of treatment is necessary.
QHow is leukemia diagnosed?

3 Answers

A
A Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) answered
Diagnosing leukemia usually begins with a medical history, physical examination and blood test. During the physical exam, your doctor may check for signs of pale skin, bruising, swollen lymph nodes or an enlarged spleen. A complete blood count (CBC) is one of several common tests for leukemia. It measures the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the blood.

Your care team may also use other leukemia detection tests to plan and monitor your treatment:

Biopsy: Removal of a small amount of tissue to determine the type of leukemia, the growth rate of the tumor and whether the disease has spread.

Bone marrow biopsy: Removal of a sample of bone marrow.

Lymph node biopsy: Removal of all or part of a lymph node.

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): Removal of cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal cavity in the lower back to determine the extent of the disease.

Flow cytometry: A test which passes cancerous cells (stained with a light-sensitive dye) under a laser beam to determine whether the cells contain a normal or abnormal amount of DNA, and the relative rate at which a tumor is growing.

Liver function test: A group of blood tests used to measure the amounts of certain enzymes released by the liver in response to damage or disease. An abnormal liver function test may indicate the presence of a disease like leukemia.

Imaging tests: Tests that use imaging technologies to produce pictures of the inside of the body.

Leukemia detection tests can provide information about the extent of leukemia in the body, and the presence of infections or other problems. The following are some types of detection tests:

X-ray

CT scan

PET/CT scan

MRI

Ultrasound

2D echocardiogram (sometimes)

Pulmonary function test (sometimes)
See All 3 Answers
QHow does leukemia affect the body?

1 Answer

A

A Jumo Health answered

Leukemia affects the body by causing a number of problems. As the bone marrow becomes crowded with more and more leukemia cells, there isn’t enough space to make healthy blood cells. Low levels of platelets mean that cuts heal more slowly and people bruise easily. Low levels of red blood cells mean that the body doesn’t get enough oxygen so people feel more tired and out of breath. A big problem is that leukemia cells can’t do jobs like fighting germs that normal white cells do. This means people are more likely to get infections.
QWhat can I do if I'm feeling overwhelmed by my leukemia diagnosis?

1 Answer

A

A Jumo Health answered

If you are feeling overwhelmed by your leukemia diagnosis, remember that you’re not alone. Many people all around the world are going through the same things as you. Treatment means you might need to stay in the hospital sometimes. It can be hard being away from your family and friends, but they can come and visit you. It’s normal to feel scared, worried, sad and angry at times. It really helps to share your feelings with someone you trust. You can talk to your family, friends, doctors and nurses. They are on your side.
QHow is chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) diagnosed?

2 Answers

A

A Sigma Nursing answered

A variety of procedures including blood and genetic tests are used to diagnose chronic myelogenous leukemia. Blood tests called complete blood counts reveal abnormal numbers of white blood cells. A test called bone marrow aspiration uses a needle to remove marrow from the hipbone for analysis. Genetic tests take these blood and bone marrow samples and look for the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome and the gene it produces.

See All 2 Answers