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Leukemia (adult)
Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissues, causing large numbers of blood cells to be entered into the bloodstream (a type of white blood cell). Bone marrow is an example of one of such blood-forming tissues. The bone marrow makes blood stem cells (immature cells) that develop into mature blood cells over time. A blood stem cell may become a myeloid stem cell or a lymphoid stem cell. (Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that gets worse if not treated quickly.)
The myeloid stem cell develops into one of 3 types of mature blood cells:
1) Red Blood Cells that carry oxygen and other elements throughout the body
2) Platelets that help prevent bleeding
3) Granulocytes (white blood cells) that fight infection and disease.
The lymphoid stem cell develops into a lymphoblast cell and then into one of 3 types white blood cells:
1) Blymphocytes that create antibodies
2) T lymphocytes that assist B lymphocytes in creating the antibodies
3) Natural killer cells that attack cancer cells and viruses.
Leukemic cells are not able to fight infection well, resulting in leukemic cell increases in the blood and bone marrow. When this happens, there is less place for healthy white and red blood cells, and for platelets. That means there is a higher chance for a person to get an infection, anemia, and/or bleeding. In addition, the cancer can spread to the brain and spinal cord. Having had exposure to radiation or chemotherapy in the past can increase the risk of developing leukemia. Age (70+), gender (male), race (white) can also contribute to such development of the disease.
Some of the early signs of leukemia are similar to the flu or other common diseases and include:
· Fever
· Weakness or feeling tired
· Shortness of breath
· Weight loss/loss of appetite
· Easy bruising or bleeding
· Pain the bones, stomach, or below the ribs
· Painless lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin
How to detect and diagnose leukemia?
Physical exam - exam of the body to check for signs of lumps or other things that may seem unusual.
Complete blood count (CBC) - a procedure where blood is drawn to be checked for the number of red and white cells, and platelets; the amount of hemoglobin (protein the carries oxygen); and the portion of the blood that makes up the red blood cells.
Peripheral blood smear - a procedure where blood is drawn to be checked for blast cells, number and kinds of white cells, the number of platelets, and the changes in the shape of blood cells.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy - removal of bone marrow, blood, and a small piece of bone by inserting a hollow needle into the hipbone or breastbone. It is checked for abnormality of cells.
Cytogenetic analysis - a test where blood or bone marrow is checked under microscope for changes in the chromosomes in the lymphocytes.
Immunophenotyping - a test where blood or bone marrow is checked if cancerous lymphocytes began from the B lymphocytes or the T lymphocytes.
Treatment for leukemia
The chance of recovery and treatment depends on the age of the patient, spread of the cancerous cells, information if the cancer has been treated before or is recurring, and whether the Philadelphia chromosome is present.
Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissues, causing large numbers of blood cells to be entered into the bloodstream (a type of white blood cell). Bone marrow is an example of one of such blood-forming tissues. The bone marrow makes blood stem cells (immature cells) that develop into mature blood cells over time. A blood stem cell may become a myeloid stem cell or a lymphoid stem cell. (Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that gets worse if not treated quickly.)
The myeloid stem cell develops into one of 3 types of mature blood cells:
1) Red Blood Cells that carry oxygen and other elements throughout the body
2) Platelets that help prevent bleeding
3) Granulocytes (white blood cells) that fight infection and disease.
The lymphoid stem cell develops into a lymphoblast cell and then into one of 3 types white blood cells:
1) Blymphocytes that create antibodies
2) T lymphocytes that assist B lymphocytes in creating the antibodies
3) Natural killer cells that attack cancer cells and viruses.
Leukemic cells are not able to fight infection well, resulting in leukemic cell increases in the blood and bone marrow. When this happens, there is less place for healthy white and red blood cells, and for platelets. That means there is a higher chance for a person to get an infection, anemia, and/or bleeding. In addition, the cancer can spread to the brain and spinal cord. Having had exposure to radiation or chemotherapy in the past can increase the risk of developing leukemia. Age (70+), gender (male), race (white) can also contribute to such development of the disease.
Some of the early signs of leukemia are similar to the flu or other common diseases and include:
· Fever
· Weakness or feeling tired
· Shortness of breath
· Weight loss/loss of appetite
· Easy bruising or bleeding
· Pain the bones, stomach, or below the ribs
· Painless lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin
How to detect and diagnose leukemia?
Physical exam - exam of the body to check for signs of lumps or other things that may seem unusual.
Complete blood count (CBC) - a procedure where blood is drawn to be checked for the number of red and white cells, and platelets; the amount of hemoglobin (protein the carries oxygen); and the portion of the blood that makes up the red blood cells.
Peripheral blood smear - a procedure where blood is drawn to be checked for blast cells, number and kinds of white cells, the number of platelets, and the changes in the shape of blood cells.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy - removal of bone marrow, blood, and a small piece of bone by inserting a hollow needle into the hipbone or breastbone. It is checked for abnormality of cells.
Cytogenetic analysis - a test where blood or bone marrow is checked under microscope for changes in the chromosomes in the lymphocytes.
Immunophenotyping - a test where blood or bone marrow is checked if cancerous lymphocytes began from the B lymphocytes or the T lymphocytes.
Treatment for leukemia
The chance of recovery and treatment depends on the age of the patient, spread of the cancerous cells, information if the cancer has been treated before or is recurring, and whether the Philadelphia chromosome is present.
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What is Cancer Glossary of Cancer/Treatment Terms Types of scans to detect cancer
Common Types of Cancer*
Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia (adult) Leukemia (child)
Lung Cancer Melanoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma) Thyroid Cancer
* Common Types of Cancer - cancers diagnosed with greatest frequency in the United States
What is Cancer Glossary of Cancer/Treatment Terms Types of scans to detect cancer
Common Types of Cancer*
Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia (adult) Leukemia (child)
Lung Cancer Melanoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma) Thyroid Cancer
* Common Types of Cancer - cancers diagnosed with greatest frequency in the United States
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© Copyright 2015. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
home | about us |get involved | donate | resources | contact us
© Copyright 2015. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
