Common Leukemia Symptoms | Leukemia Signs
Leukemia means “white blood”. It can be cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Bone Marrow is soft and vascular tissue in interior cavity of bones. Blood cells including white cells, red cells and platelets are produced in bone marrow. Leukemia in fact is a disease which produces abnormal and immature blood cells. An individual who has Leukemia suffers from irregular production of blood cells, typically white blood cells.
The DNA of immature blood cells (usually white blood cells) becomes damaged. As result of this damage, growth of blood cell gets uncontrollable. Bone marrow starts to produce abnormal and immature cells. These immature cells also begin to divide rapidly. These abnormal cells start to replace normal and healthy blood cells. Usually normal blood cells die after some time and replaced by new healthy and fresh cells, but these abnormal and immature blood cells do not die so effortlessly, and build up, occupying a lot more and more space. As far more and additional space is occupied by these faulty blood cells there is less and less room for the regular cells. After certain time, all or most of the normal cells are replaced by abnormal cells. This leads to dangerous complication in body. The victim also becomes ill and suffers from various symptoms. Lack of healthy and normal cells results in various problems and body stops working properly.
Following are main Leukemia symptoms.
Blood Clotting is affected and Bruising
Increase in abnormal blood cells result in lack of blood platelets. Blood platelets play an important role in blood clotting. So Persons with Leukemia face problem in clotting of blood. He may get excessive bleeding. Small purple or red spot may also get developed on skin. Patient suffers from sudden and unexpected bruising.
Immune system is affected
White blood cells are part of our immune system. Immune system detects dangerous cells and bodies and kills them. White blood cells protect our body diseases. Immune system is directly affected by leukemia. Individual infected with leukemia fails to fight against diseases attacks especially infectious diseases like tonsils.
Uncomfortable Respiratory sensation
Leukemia patients lose red blood cells. In fact red cells are replaces by abnormal white blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin to carry oxygen. Lack of red cells may affect respiratory system. Respiratory sensation becomes unpleasant and patient feels problem in breathing.
Pale Skin
Lack of red cells may also result in a skin disease called Pallor and anemia. In this disease, skin color turns pale. This paleness is less noticeable in persons who have light skin color. The level of paleness depends upon reduction in hemoglobin (red cells). This is not among common leukemia symptoms.
Patients may also experience others leukemia symptoms like
- Swelling in Lymph Nodes
-Fever
-Night sweats
-Tiredness
-Sudden weight loss
-headaches
-loss of appetite
October 8, 2010
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What is Leukemia | Understanding Types of Leukemia
Leukemia is cancer which starts in bone marrow. It is also called cancer of blood. Leukemia is caused by abnormal production of blood cells, typically due to abnormal production of white blood cells.
All blood cells are produced from stem cells. Stem cells inside bone marrow can be divided into Hematopoietic stem cells, Mesenchymal stem cells and Endothelial cells. Hematopoietic stem cells grow and get converted into Red blood cells, White blood cells and platelets. Hematopoietic cells grow into Lymphoid and Myeloid cells, which finally get converted into Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. White blood cells can be categorized into several sub types. Few of these types are matured form of Myeloid cells and others are produced from transformation of Lymphoid cells. Red blood cells and Platelets are produced from Myeloid cells. So basically, all blood cells develop from Lymphocytic and Myeloid cells.
As blood cells are grown-up form of Lymphoid cells and Myeloid cells. Lymphoid and Myeloid cells are responsible for Leukemia. In fact, either the production of Lymphocytic cells or Myeloid cells becomes abnormal. As a result of this, corrupted source produces numerous abnormal cells. These abnormal cell stay more longer than normal cell. These abnormal cells replace all or most of the normal white, red blood cells and platelets. This situation is known as Leukemia.
If the abnormal production of cells is due to Lymphocytes, this is said Lymphocytic Leukemia. If the problem is in Myeloid cells then it is known as Myelogenous Leukemia.
Abnormal cells can be divided into two categories, cells that at very initial stage (less mature) and cells which have grown up to some extend (more mature). Less mature cells cause acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Mostly children are affected with acute Lymphocytic leukemia and requires immediate treatment because it is very dangerous. Acute lymphocytic leukemia rapidly replaces normal body cells. Cells which are more mature ( but still abnormal) cause chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Chronic Leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia are mostly seen in adult.
I hope this answers the question that what is leukemia!
To read more about Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, visit following link,
To read more about Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, visit following link,
And visit following link to get more detailed discussion on Acute Myelogenous Leukemia,
Above links provide detailed discussion on every type of leukemia cancer. Diagnosis , treatment options, procedure of treatment and symptoms specific to each type are also discussed.
October 7, 2010
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Posted in: About Leukemia, Bone Marrow
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is the most common type of leukemia cancer. Chronic Lymphocytic is abbreviated as CLL. It is also called Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia as it originates in lymphoid lineages. This type of leukemia is mostly seen in adult, generally in people around 50 years old. Technically it may appear in people of all age groups including children. Children may inherit this disease from their parent.
The word “Chronic” refers to the fact that this type of leukemia does not become fatal quickly. It is not necessary to treat CLL at early stages. In fact, CLL is monitored for long time (may be for years), and treated only if it starts to show any damage to body. CLL does not cause damage to body in quick time.
Lymphoid cells, a mature form of stems cells, are the origin of the production of leukocytes or white blood cells. Three white cells types including T cells, B cells and NK cells are produced from lymphoid cells. All these types are components of immune system. Our focus is no B-Cells. B-cells are root cause for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The function of B cells is very important. B cells produce antibodies for immune system. Antibodies detect harmful substances in body like virus and bacteria. Antibodies not only detect harmful objects but also remove these objects. Damage in DNA of B cells causes CLL. As a result of this, excessive production of abnormal B cells takes place. These abnormal B cells fail to produce antibodies, exposing body to harmful substance and diseases. The growth of these abnormal white cells is not that much rapid. But in long time, these cells may replace most of the normal platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells.
At very early stage, CLL does not show any prominent leukemia symptoms. At initial stage, CLL is only detected in routine CBC which points out increased count of white blood cells. Normal white cells count is between 4000 and 1000. With the passage of time, CLL shows symptoms like swelling in lymph nodes, swallow spleen and liver. Patient also feels other leukemia symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, bruising, and anemia.visit CLL symptoms for more detail on CLL symptoms.
The diagnosis of CLL can be done with CBC, which shows count of white blood cells. B cells count greater than normal in blood, bone marrow or in other tissues indicate chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Studies have shown that their in no advantage to treat CLL at initial stage. Patients with CLL are examined time to time and treatment is initiated when CLL starts to turn fatal. It may take more than a decade. When treatment starts, its focus is to treat the symptoms of CLL rather than a complete cure. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy and bone marrow transplant.
November 15, 2010
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Posted in: About Leukemia, Leukemia Treatment
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, Symptoms and Treatment
All blood cells are formed from myeloid and lymphoid cells in bone marrow. Different types of white cells are produced from lymphoid source. Leukemia originating from problem in lymphoid cells is known as Lymphocytic leukemia. Lymphocytic leukemia is also called Lymphoblastic leukemia. Cells in abnormal or immature condition are also called having “BLAST” state. This is the reason why Lymphocytic Leukemia is also termed as Lymphoblastic leukemia.
Leukemia is a fatal a disease. The question is, at what stage it becomes fatal ? If the leukemia is caused by cells which at very initial production state(less mature), the disease becomes fatal within weeks if left untreated. “ACUTE” refers to the fact that leukemia becomes deadly dangerous in a very short period of time. As it becomes fatal very quickly, it should be treated immediately. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is generally seen in childhood or in old age. Mostly children become the victim of Acute lymphocytic leukemia. Acute Lymphocytic leukemia is abbreviated as “ALL”.
Symptoms of acute lymphocytic leukemia are similar to other leukemia types. These symptoms include anemia (Paleness), fatigue, bruising due to lack of platelets, join pain (due to presence of abnormal cells in bone surface or cavity), weight loss, night sweats, swelling in lymph nodes and limbs.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment
The objective of treatment is to reduce the number of abnormal cells. The goal of all treatments is to minimize the ratio of blast cells to less than 5 % at bone marrow. As abnormal cells spread all over the body, there is no surgical solution to treat leukemia. Available option include followings,
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is commonly used in treatment of cancer. It is treatment of diseases using chemicals. Chemotherapy kills abnormal white cells that are root cause of leukemia. Chemotherapy of leukemia consists of three phases. Treatment may take up to 2-3 years.
Radiation Therapy Treatment
In this treatment, high energy radiations are used to kill the tumor cells. This treatment is applied to body parts which are under high attach. It is also used in bone marrow transplant process. Radiation therapy damages the DNA of cells and as result of this, cells die. This may also damage normal body cells, so the treatment should be applied very carefully. Visit following link to read more about Radiation Therapy,
Cancer Treatment with Radiation Therapy
Bone Marrow Transplant
Aggressive chemotherapy may result in damage to bone marrow. As of result of this damage, bone marrow may fail to further produce normal cells. In this case bone marrow transplant is required. Visit following link to read about bone marrow transplant,
Steroids and other such medicines are also used in acute lymphocytic treatment. Often a mixed treatment approach is used to get rid of Leukemia.
November 7, 2010
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Posted in: Leukemia Treatment
What is Bone Marrow | Bone Marrow cancer | Bone Marrow test
Bone marrow is one of most important tissues in our body. Bone marrow is fatty, soft tissue found inside hollow of bones. It is found only in large bones like legs and ribs bones.
Our blood consists of blood cells and plasma. Plasma is a yellow liquid in which blood cells float. Blood cells are produced in bone marrow. Primarily, Bone marrow contains stem cells. These stem cells go under some sort of transformation and get converted into blood cells. As you know, blood cells are integral part of our body and can be divided into three categories.
1- Red Blood cells
Red blood cells are responsible for the transportation of oxygen to all body tissues. Red cells contain hemoglobin. Oxygen is carried in hemoglobin. Red cells take oxygen from lungs and gills to all parts of body. Red cells carry back partial amount of carbon dioxide which is then breath out by the respiratory system. Lack of blood cells lead to diseases like Anemia, hemolysis and many others.
2- White Blood Cells
White cells are building blocks of immune system. Immune system provides protection against external substances. Immune system detects external substance and protects body against diseases by killing dangerous external substances like virus and bacteria. So white blood cell help body to fight against diseases. Lack of white blood cells effects the efficiency of immune system and there is more chance that body is unable to defend itself against diseases attack.
3- Platelets
Platelets are bodies or cells present in our blood. Platelets help in clotting process. Lack of platelets may result in too much bleeding and excess of platelets may lead to clots in blood.
About 45% of blood consists of blood cells, produced in bone marrow.
Bone Marrow Cancer
Bone marrow cancer means serious problem in production of blood cells. Two important types of bones marrow cancer, leukemia and “Multiple Myeloma“, are caused by problem in white blood cells. Leukemia is caused by abnormal production of white cells and Multiple Myeloma is caused by production of faulty plasma cells ( a sub type of white blood cells). These abnormal plasma cell not only damage bones but also interfere in the production of white cells in bone marrow. Another possible reason of multiple myeloma is paraprotein.
Third type of bone marrow cancer is Lymphomas . This cancer type attacks immune system. Lymphomas rarely develops in bone marrow.
Bone Marrow Test
Bone marrow test is a medical test which is conducted to see whether an individual is suffering from bone marrow cancer. This test checks for abnormal cells in bone marrow. Basically there are two types of bone marrow test.
Bone Marrow Aspiration
In this test liquid form of bone marrow is tested using microscope.
Bone Marrow Biopsy
In biopsy, a solid piece of bone marrow is obtained and examined.
October 4, 2010
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Posted in: Bone Marrow