The Lowdown on Leukemia

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects blood-forming tissues such as those in the lymphatic system and bone marrow. It is characterized by an abnormal number of white blood cells, which function improperly. There are various kinds of leukemia that affect both children and adults. Some of these include acute myelogenous leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Diagnosis of leukemia can often be difficult. Early symptoms appear similar to those of the flu. Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the white blood cell count. Signs of leukemia may include swollen lymph nodes, excessive weight loss, frequent infections, persistent fatigue, frequent bleeding or bruising, fever, shortness of breath, bone pain, and excessive sweating.

Individuals who have been treated for another type of cancer are at greater risk of developing leukemia. Radiation and chemical exposure can also increase risk. There is also some link between genetics and leukemia incidence.

Leukemia can be diagnosed with a physical exam, blood test, bone marrow sample, or a combination of these. It is usually treated with chemotherapy or biological therapy. There are also other options available. Some individuals can receive drug therapies or radiation therapies. Others will require a bone marrow transplant or a stem cell transplant.

When facing a diagnosis of leukemia, it is important to seek support. Leukemia patients should have a good understanding of the disease and how to treat it. It is vital to stay active and to maintain a positive attitude in order to beat leukemia and live a healthy life.

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By Joseph_Stutzman

Information About Leukemia

Leukemia is actually several different cancerous diseases, all of which involve an increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood or in the bone marrow, in which the normal blood cells are replaced by the immature white blood cells.

One of the signs of leukemia is the tendency towards excessive bruising and bleeding.

People with leukemia often find themselves susceptible to infections more than they have been in the past. This is because the white blood cells which are the blood cells which fight the infections may be suppressed in some way or be unable to function as they normally would. This leaves the victim of leukemia often falling victim to infections such as tonsillitis, sores in their mouths, diarrhea, pneumonia and other infectious diseases which attack their body.

Victims of leukemia often become anemic, suffer from shortness of breath and become unusually pale of color.

Other symptoms of leukemia also include flu like symptoms, headaches, chills, fever and also unexplained weight loss.

Some medical professionals feel that some studies tend to indicate that treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy used to
combat former cancerous conditions tend to contribute to the development of leukemia in some of its victims.

Some medical professionals also feel that the use of tobacco contributes to that form of leukemia known as acute myeloid leukemia which is often contracted by adults.

There seem to be indications also that genetic ties play a part in certain kinds of leukemia. Many people feel that this is a good argument why adoption records should be open, at least as far as medical records are concerned, from the very beginning and that they be completely accessible when the adoptee becomes an adult.

Most forms of leukemia are combated with intense regiments of chemotherapy. Some are also treated with radiation, but chemotherapy seems to be the most effective and is usually the treatment of choice. Sometimes bone marrow transplants are also used and often have proven successful.

Clinical research of leukemia in all of its forms is being done on a large scale. On the average over two hundred thousand people die every year of some form of leukemia. Although the majority of the victims of leukemia are adults, there are forms of leukemia which attack children and young people as well.

If you suspect that you or a loved one may be suffering from leukemia, don't hesitate, don't put it off, get yourself or your loved one to a doctor. Be checked. If it turns out to be something else, something simple, celebrate. If it turns out to be leukemia, celebrate as well. Celebrate that you didn't wait and that you and your doctor are going to work as a team with a goal of healing for you or your loved one.

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By Brijesh_Ghelani