Leukemia is a type of blood cancer, in which there is an uncontrolled increase of abnormal blood cells in bone marrow. These cells are usually immature white blood cells, which affect the ability to fight infection. The types and treatment methods of leukemia vary depending on its intensity and affected cells. Giving more information about this, Consultant, Medical Oncologist, Hemato and Radiation oncologist Dr. S. P. Srivastava.
Types of leukemia
Leukemia is mainly classified into four major types:
1. Acute lymphocytic leukemia – all: This is the most common in children, adolescents and young adults (up to 39 years).
2. Acute myeloid leukemia – AML: It is most found in adults, especially in people over 65 years of age.
3. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia – CLL: It is the most common chronic leukemia in adults, which can have long term.
4. Chronic myeloid leukemia – CML: It is found more in older adults but can affect a person of any age.
Leukemia symptoms
Symptoms of leukemia can develop slowly and include:
● Excessive fatigue and weakness
● Fever or night sweating
● Repeated infection
● Skin yellow
● Difficulty breathing
● Bones and joint pain
● Weight phenomenon without reason
● Swelling in lymph nodes
● Bleeding from nose and gums
● Red or purple spots on the skin
Causes of leukemia and risk factor
Leukemia arises when the DNA of a cell in the bone marrow changes, causing the cells to be divided uncontrollably. Some risk factors may be helpful in this:
● Treatment of cancer in the past (chemotherapy, radiation therapy)
● Smoking and tobacco intake
● Coming in contact with industrial chemicals (benzene, formaldehyde)
● Genetic disorders like Down syndrome
Leukemia test
The following tests are performed for the diagnosis of leukemia:
● Physical tests: Identification of symptoms and lymph nodes check
● Complete blood calculation (CBC): Investigation of the number and structure of blood cells
● Flow cytometry and peripheral blood smear: probe of the presence of abnormal blood cells
● Bone marrow biopsy: detailed analysis by taking sample from bone marrow
● Imaging test (CT scan, MRI, PET scan): to understand the condition of cancer
● Lumbar puncture: This test is done to see if the cancer extends to the cerebrospinal fluid.
Treatment of leukemia
Treatment of leukemia depends on the patient’s age, health status, type of leukemia and the condition of cancer. Major treatment options include:
1. Chemotherapy: Use of drugs to destroy cancer cells.
2. Immunotherapy: To activate the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
3. Targeted Therapy: Drugs that affect cancer cells particularly.
4. Radiation therapy: Destruction of cancer cells by high-energy rays.
5. Stem Cell Transplantation: Bone marrow transplantation, in which unhealthy bone marrow is replaced by healthy stem cells.
6. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy: enabled the body’s immune cells to fight cancer cells.
Leukemia is a serious but healing disease. Early diagnosis and proper therapy can improve the quality of life of patients. The risk of this disease can be reduced by timely investigation and healthy lifestyle. If you are feeling any symptoms related to leukemia, then consult a specialist doctor soon.
(Note- The above given views are the personal views of the author. It is not necessary that ABP News Group agrees. Only the writer is responsible for all the claims or objections related to this article.)
