Verified By Apollo General Physician January 17, 2024
Leukemia is a blood cancer that occurs in the blood-producing tissues called bone marrow. Leukemia causes mutation in the cells of the bone marrow, causing abnormal development and function of the blood cells formed from these tissues.
Leukemia cells often act abnormally, leading to a rise in the total number of abnormal white blood cells or leukocytes in the body. The normal white blood cells in the body are responsible for fighting off harmful pathogens. In a person with leukemia, the abnormal white blood cells (leukocytes) crowd out healthy white blood cells along with the red blood cells and the platelets. These leukocytes don’t function properly, thus leading to the weakening of the body’s immune response.
There are many types of leukemia; some forms are more common in children, while others are common in adults. The leukemia treatment depends on its type and other associated factors.
Symptoms of Leukemia
The leukemia or blood cancer symptoms may vary depending on the type of leukemia. For example, in the case of chronic leukemia, there may not be any noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
Common leukemia or blood cancer symptoms may include:
Types of Leukemia
Leukemia is typically categorized based on how fast it can develop and the type of blood cell affected. In general, there are 4 types of leukemia:
Causes of Leukemia
The exact causes of leukemia are not known. However, it usually begins due to mutation in a single cell in the bone marrow. After the DNA in this cell becomes mutated, it keeps multiplying, resulting in the production of abnormal white blood cells (WBCs or leukocytes) that don’t function as well as they should, as they also contain the mutated DNA.
While what causes leukemia in adults and children has not been found conclusively, there are certain risk factors that have been found to increase the likelihood of developing leukemia.
Risk Factors of Leukemia
Factors that may increase the risk of leukemia may include:
Diagnosis of Leukemia
As a primary step in the diagnosis of leukemia, the doctor may check the lymph nodes and ask for symptoms of swelling. They may also look for signs of enlarged liver or spleen. They may also check the gums for signs of bleeding or swelling along with skin rashes that may appear red, purple, or brown, which may be likely signs of leukemia.
The doctor will also likely check for signs of leukemia in the bone marrow or blood. They may recommend the following tests:
Imaging tests like MRI or CT scan and chest X-ray may be recommended to check if leukemia has affected the bones, tissues, or organs.
Treatment of Leukemia
Treatment of leukemia is based on the type of leukemia, the patient’s age, and how far it has spread. Some of the common treatments for leukemia may include the following.
FAQs
Q1. What is the survival rate of leukemia?
A five-year survival rate of leukemia is more than 65% for all types of leukemia.
Q2. Can leukemia be cured?
Leukemia may not be cured completely, but with timely and proper treatment, patients’ outlook can be improved.
Q3. How long can a person live with leukemia?
Four out of five children with leukemia may live at least 5 years, but only 25-35% of adults with leukemia have a chance of survival for 5 years or longer.
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