Leukemia What is Leukemia Leukemia is a cancer

Leukemia

What is Leukemia? Leukemia is a cancer of the blood It is the most common type of blood cancer beginning in the bone marrow where abnormal white blood cells become produced • these abnormal white blood cells are called leukemia cells • leukemia cells function properly but as more leukemia cells are produced the normal blood cells can no longer carry out functions due to an overcrowding situation

Leukemia Statististics There an estimated 327, 520 people living with, or in remission from, leukemia in the US. In 2014, 24, 090 people are expected to die from leukemia (14, 040 males and 10, 050 females). In 2007 -2011, leukemia was the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in men and the sixth most common in women in the US.

Types of Leukemia There are four common types of adult leukemia. Two are chronic, meaning they get worse over a longer period of time. The other two are acute, meaning they get worse quickly. � chronic lymphocytic leukemia � chronic myeloid leukemia � acute lymphocytic leukemia Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and acute myeloid leukemia are diagnosed more often in older adults. Of these, chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is found more often in children.

Risk Factors Very high levels of radiation Working with certain Chemicals Chemotherapy Down Syndrome and other genetic disorders Human T-cell leukemia virus-I (HTLV-I) Myelodysplastic syndrome

Symptoms of Leukemia Symptoms of acute leukemia depend on how much the cancer has grown. They may include: A new lump or swollen gland in your neck, under your arm, or in your groin Frequent nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums or rectum, more frequent bruising, or very heavy menstrual bleeding Frequent fevers Night sweats Bone pain Unexplained appetite loss or recent weight loss Feeling tired a lot without a known reason Swelling and pain on the left side of the belly The chronic forms of leukemia often cause no symptoms until much later in the disease. And when symptoms appear, they usually appear gradually.

Tests and Exams for Leukemia If your doctor suspects leukemia, he or she may: • Ask about your medical history. • Check for enlarged lymph nodes in your neck, underarm, or groin. • Check for an enlarged liver or spleen. • Do a complete blood count (CBC) and a blood chemistry. These tests let your doctor look into symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, fever, bruising, or weight loss. • Do a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. This is the key to diagnosing most leukemias and helps determine the type.

Tests for the Type of Leukemia A blood test is usually enough to find signs of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Tests that look closely at unusual cells, chromosomes, or proteins on cells can show what type or subtype of leukemia you have. These tests include: ● cytogenetic analysis ● immunophenotyping ● reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test or RT-PCR Chest X-rays, to find out if leukemia or an infection is the cause of lung problems such as persistent coughing, coughing up blood, chest pain, or trouble breathing. CT scan of the head, chest, and belly, to find out if leukemia has spread there. Lumbar puncture, to find out if leukemia cells are in your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). MRI of the brain, to look into symptoms such as confusion, paralysis, numbness, vision problems, vertigo, or headaches. Those symptoms could mean that leukemia has spread to the brain. A biopsy of a lymph node or other tissues, to look for leukemia cells.

Treatment for Leukemia 1. chemotherapy to kill leukemia cells using strong anti-cancer drugs 2. interferon therapy to slow the reproduction of leukemia cells and promote the immune system's antileukemia activity 3. radiation therapy to kill cancer cells by exposure to high-energy radiation 4. stem cell transplantation (SCT) to enable treatment with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy 5. surgery to remove an enlarged spleen or to install a venous access device (large plastic tube) to give medications and withdraw blood samples

Treatment for Leukemia Most treatment plans for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have 3 steps. These are induction, consolidation, and maintenance. Induction therapy kills leukemia cells in the blood and bone marrow to induce remission. Treatments include chemotherapy and corticosteroids. Consolidation therapy kills any leukemia cells that may be present even though they don't show up in tests. If these cells regrow, they could cause a relapse. Treatments include more chemotherapy and may include stem cell transplant. Maintenance therapy also prevents any remaining leukemia cells from growing. This may be done using lower doses of chemotherapy than those used during induction or consolidation. When there are no signs of leukemia for 5 years, a person is usually considered cured. But if the leukemia doesn't go into remission, or if it comes back within the first few years, treatments may include more chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, or joining a clinical trial for new treatments.

Survival Rates for Leukemia The overall five-year relative survival rate for leukemia has more than quadrupled since 1960. From 1960 to 1963, the five-year relative survival rate among whites (only data available) with leukemia was 14 percent. From 1975 to 1977, the five-year relative survival rate for the total population with leukemia was 34. 2 percent, and from 2004 to 2010, the overall relative survival rate was 60. 3 percent. From 2004 -2010, the five-year relative survival rates overall were CML - 59. 9 percent CLL - 83. 5 percent AML - 25. 4 percent overall and 66. 3 percent for children and adolescents younger than 15 years ALL - 70 percent overall, 91. 8 percent for children and adolescents younger than 15 years, and 93 percent for children younger than 5 years.

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