Leukemia
Causes/Risk factors
Exposure to high levels of radiation - such as survivors of a nuclear reactor accident
Smoking - Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of acute myelogenous leukemia.
Exposure to certain chemicals - “Benzene” which is found in gasoline
Genetic disorders - Such as Down syndrome, are associated with increased risk of leukemia.
Leukemia
How it is usually diagnosed or discovered?
The patient will have a physical exam, the doctor will look for lumps, and other abnormalities, or symptoms of leukemia. There will also be a medical history search on the patient to see their past experiences of leukemia or any previous risk factors.
Cytogenic analysis- a blood test in which a sample of blood is examined to check for changes in the chromosomes of the lymphocytes.
Biopsy - is a procedure in which a sample od cells are removed from the body to be examined for cancer.
Other Medical Tests and Procedures can be used as a diagnosis like CT scans, X-Rays, MRI's, and ultrasound.
Leukemia
Treatment
Leukemia treatment plans often are different for each patient. There are typically five major approaches to the treatment of leukemia
Chemotherapy - to kill leukemia cells using strong anti-cancer drugs
Interferon therapy - slows the reproduction of leukemia cells and promote the immune system's antileukemia activity
Radiation therapy - to kill cancer cells by exposure to high-energy radiation
Stem cell transplantation (SCT) - enables treatment with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Surgery - removes any enlarged spleen or to install a venous access device (large plastic tube) to give medications and withdraw blood samples.
Leukemia
Prognosis
There are many different factors that determine to prognosis of leukemia.
Age
whether the cancer has spread to the spinal cord or into the brain
How long you had it
University of Maryland Medical Center reports that there are approximately 1,400 deaths each year in the United States due to ALL. The cure rate is greater in children than in adults.
