Leukemia Information

Statistic Information on Leukemia

2011-09-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

Statistic Information on Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancerous disease caused by abnormal activity of stem cells (immature cells that originate in the bone marrow). There are two main types of leukemia - myelogenous and lymphocytic (according to the type of cells involved), which can be further classified in two categories - acute and chronic.

Acute leukemia is characterized by the rapid multiplication of partially developed, functionless cells. These abnormal cells accumulate inside the bone marrow or in the blood stream, interfering with the activity of normal, healthy cells. People with acute leukemia also suffer from anemia, which is caused by a pronounced decrease in the number of red blood cells. Leukemia sufferers also have a deficit of healthy white cells, which have a vital role in fighting against infections. In addition, acute leukemia affects the body's production of platelets, which have an important role in blood coagulation (they speed up the healing of open wounds).

Chronic leukemia also causes serious impairments at cellular level, triggering an overproduction of abnormal cells. However, unlike acute leukemia, chronic forms of the disease allow the affected cells to reach more advanced stages of development. Thus, chronic leukemia has a slower rate of progression.

The annual prevalence of leukemia among the population of the United States is around 31.000 new cases. Leukemia has the highest incidence in older adults, commonly affecting people with ages over 60. However, there are certain types of leukemia that predominantly affect children. For instance, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is responsible for causing more than 80 percent of overall childhood leukemia cases.

In adults, the most common types of leukemia are acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Acute myelogenous leukemia accounts for more than 10.000 new cases each year, while chronic lymphocytic leukemia is responsible for causing around 8.000 new annual cases.

Leukemia has the highest incidence in the male gender. Statistics indicate that more than 56 percent of annual leukemia cases are diagnosed in men. Although it can be seen in all ethnical groups, leukemia predominantly affects Caucasian white people. The annual incidence of leukemia is lower in African Americans, while American Indians and Hispanics rarely develop the disease. Similarly, leukemia is rarely seen in Asian people.

The most common type of leukemia among children aged 3-15 is acute lymphocytic leukemia. Due to the fact that acute lymphocytic leukemia predominantly affects children, it is referred to as childhood leukemia. Childhood leukemia rarely affects children younger than 3 or with ages over 15. Despite the fact that modern medicine doesn't hold the cure for childhood leukemia, the medical treatments and therapies available nowadays can slow down the progression of the disease and in some cases, they can even overcome leukemia completely. The annual morbidity rate of leukemia among young patients has known a considerable decrease in the last two decades. Thanks to modern medical equipment, leukemia can be timely diagnosed, allowing prompt medical intervention. Nowadays, early diagnosis and new approaches in medical treatment can considerably extend patients' life-expectancy, thus increasing the chances of complete recovery.

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Leukemia and Children

2010-11-28T20:15:00.000-08:00

Leukemia and Children

One of the most tragic of all forms of cancer is Leukemia, which each year kills thousands of children all over the planet. Leukemia is a disorder of the blood, the bone marrow, and the lymphatic system. as one would expect with a system of this size, complexity, and importance to the body, there are numerous ways that things can go wrong. Because of this, there are various types of leukemia, all with different areas of activity and effects on the body.

There are a few ways to breakdown which type of leukemia is being dealt with. There are divisions that could be made based on whether or not the patient is a child or adult, for example. But most commonly the division is made based on how the blood cells are effected, and where the abnormality is taking place.

With symptoms that mimic those of many other, milder illnesses, leukemia is a difficult disease to diagnose initially. Some of the symptoms one is likely to experience are pervasive feelings of fatigue, constant chills and night sweats, and susceptibility to infection. As you can see, these are all conditions that could come from something as mundane as being overworked and run down. Many people assume that's exactly what the problem is, and don't seek help until their condition becomes so bad that they are unable to perform normal everyday activities without extreme discomfort.

When a person does report to the doctor, a blood test or bone marrow test may be conducted. These are the only ways to reliably screen for leukemia. Because of the variousness of the symptoms, and the invasiveness of the screening methods, leukemia often goes undiagnosed, by some estimates in as many as 20% of all cases.

The classification of leukemia arises from a four-fold matrix of conditions. The first axis is that of acute vs. chronic. In the case of acute leukemia, large numbers of immature blood cells are rapidly released. Since they are not fully developed, they crowd out the productive cells, resulting in quick deterioration of health. In the chronic case, blood cells are more mature and build up more slowly, resulting in a gradual worsening of health.

The second axis of the matrix is that of lymphocytic vs. myelogenous. Lymphocytic leukemia effects the cells which make up the body's immune system. Myelogenous leukemia effects the myeloid cells, which are responsible for producing the range of blood cells-white, red, platelet-in the body. This matrix yields four distinct forms of the disease, all of which have different degrees of danger and populations within which they occur.

Unlike some other forms of cancer, leukemia is not primarily caused by any lifestyle choices. There is a strong genetic component, which can be exacerbated by exposure to radioactive compounds. If you have a history of leukemia in your family it is important to stay vigilant and aware of your health. There are different treatments available and the earlier you can diagnose the problem (especially with the acute leukemia) the more likely you can survive.

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Dangers of Leukemia and Other Forms of Blood Cancers

2010-10-08T01:09:00.001-07:00

Dangers of Leukemia and Other Forms of Blood Cancers

People suffering from leukemia suffer from one of the deadliest types of blood cancers. It is specifically, a form of cancer of the white blood cells.

In modern-day practice, leukemia can also refer to malignancy in the blood or any cellular element in the bone marrow, wherein, the white blood cells multiply uncontrollably. This results to more white blood cells in the bloodstream. This type of blood cancer usually occurs in children with ages between 3 to 7 years while in adults, it occurs between ages 50 to 60 years old.

The specific cause of leukemia is unknown but inheritance plays a big role in becoming susceptible to this condition. People with leukemia experience bone pain, easy bleeding, pale skin and fatigue as well as abdominal pain, easy bruising and lymph gland swelling. Treatment of leukemia includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.

Since blood cancers obviously involve the blood, it is more deadly and most dreaded. The infected blood can imminently spread to other parts of the body through the blood stream. Leukemia starts in the bone marrow - the spongy, soft material inside the bones where blood cells are produced from stem cells.

As mentioned above, leukemia mostly affects the white blood cells which protect the body against infection. Then, cancer commences when abnormal white blood cells are created as a result when the development of stem cells into white blood cells goes uncontrollably wrong. With blood cancers, the abnormal white cells take over other types of blood cells, including the red blood cells (the ones that transport oxygen to the body tissues) and the platelets which make blood clotting possible. Therefore, leukemia is the intervention of the blood's ability in carrying oxygen and in clotting.

Without the presence of leukemia, the white blood cells can readily function in fighting disease-producing germs or pathogens. However, when it becomes dysfunctional, it can weaken the patient's immune system.

The body won't be able to fight even the simplest of infections. Pathogens can start attacking various other bodily cells. Since blood cancers destroy the immune system's normal function, some patients can experience frequent infections ranging from infected tonsils, diarrhea or sores in the mouth to opportunistic infections and life-threatening pneumonia.

Studies are still ongoing as to determine the exact causes of leukemia. Medical experts think that exposure to ionizing radiations and hazardous chemicals can trigger the development of these blood cancers. Irrespective of the age, survival rate is very low. This enlists leukemia as one of the most fatal of all cancers.

Leukemia patients have a 43% survival rate of 5 years. It is also noted that leukemia is hereditary or it can be traced to the family's history. However, this should not hinder you from living a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and nutritious diet to prevent it.

Diet should contain vegetable juices, lots of water, unrefined sea salt and foods that can heal like Aloe Vera, lemon, olive oil, green tea, tomato and more. For some people, fish, oranges and bananas can also help prevent blood cancers.

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The Chronic and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

2010-08-12T01:25:00.000-07:00

The Chronic and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), as well called acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), is a rapidly progressive neoplasm resulting from hematopoietic precursors, or myeloid stem tissue, that give rise to granulocytes, monocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets. There's growing evidence that genetic events occurring early in stem mobile maturation can lead to leukemia. Very first, there's a lag time of 5-10 years towards the development of leukemia after coverage to known causative agents such as chemotherapy, radiation, and particular solvents.

2nd, many instances of secondary leukemia evolve out of a prolonged "preleukemic phase" manifested like a myelodysplastic syndrome of hypoproduction with abnormal maturation without having precise malignant behavior. Finally, examination of precursor cells at a stage earlier than the malignant expanded clone in a provided kind of leukemia can reveal genetic abnormalities such as monosomy or trisomy of various chromosomes. In maintaining using the general molecular theme of neoplasia, extra genetic modifications are witnessed in the malignant clone compared with the morphologically normal stem cell that developmentally precedes it.

Acute myelocytic leukemias are classified by morphology and cytochemical staining. Auer rods are crystalline cytoplasmic inclusion bodies characteristic of, though not uniformly witnessed in, all myeloid leukemias. In contrast to mature myeloid tissue, leukemic cells have large immature nuclei with open chromatin and prominent nucleoli. The look from the individual kinds of AML mirrors the cell kind from which they derive. M1 leukemias originate from early myeloid precursors with no apparent maturation toward any terminal myeloid mobile type. This really is apparent within the lack of granules or other features that mark more mature myeloid cells. M3 leukemias are a neoplasm of promyelocytes, precursors of granulocytes, and M3 cells exhibit abundant azurophilic granules which are common of normal promyelocytes.

M4 leukemias arise from myeloid precursors that may differentiate into granulocytes or monocytes, whereas M5 leukemias derive from precursors currently committed towards the monocyte lineage. Therefore, M4 and M5 cells both include the feature folded nucleus and gray cytoplasm of monocytes, whereas M4 cells include also granules of the granulocytic cytochemical staining pattern. M6 and M7 leukemias can't be readily identified on morphologic grounds, but immunostaining for erythrocytic proteins is positive in M6 tissue, and staining for platelet glycoproteins is apparent in M7 tissue.

Chromosomal deletions, duplications, and well balanced translocations had been noted about the leukemic tissue of some patients prior to the introduction of molecular genetic techniques. Cloning from the regions exactly where well balanced translocations occur has, in some cases, revealed a preserved translocation website that reproducibly fuses a single gene with an additional, producing in the manufacturing of a brand new blend protein. M3 leukemias show a really higher frequency of the t(15;17) translocation that juxtaposes the PML gene with the RAR- gene. RAR- encodes a retinoic acid steroid hormone receptor, and PML encodes a transcription factor whose target genes are unknown. The blend protein possesses novel biologic action that presumably results in improved proliferation and a obstruct of differentiation.

Interestingly, retinoic acid can induce a short-term remission of M3 leukemia, supporting the importance of the RAR--PML blend protein. Monosomy of chromosome seven can be observed in leukemias arising out from the preleukemic syndrome of myelodysplasia or in de novo leukemias, and in both instances this finding is associated with a worse clinical prognosis. This monosomy as well as other serial cytogenetic modifications may also be seen right after relapse of treated leukemia, a scenario characterized by a a lot more aggressive program and resistance to therapy.

As hematopoietic neoplasms, acute leukemias involve the bone marrow and usually manifest abnormal circulating leukemic (blast) cells. Occasionally, extramedullary leukemic infiltrates recognized as chloromas can be observed in other organs and mucosal surfaces. A marked improve within the number of circulating blasts can sometimes trigger vascular obstruction associated with hemorrhage and infarction within the cerebral and pulmonary vascular beds. This leukostasis results in symptoms such as strokes, retinal vein occlusion, and pulmonary infarction.

In most instances of AML along with other leukemias, peripheral blood counts of mature granulocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets are decreased. This is probably because of crowding from the bone marrow by blast tissue as nicely as the elaboration of inhibitory substances by leukemic cells or alteration of the bone marrow stromal microenvironment and cytokine milieu required for normal hematopoiesis. Susceptibility to infections consequently of depressed granulocyte amount and function and abnormal bleeding as a result of reduced platelet counts are common problems in sufferers initially presenting with leukemia.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is an indolent leukemia manifested by an increased quantity of immature granulocytes in the marrow and peripheral circulation. One of the hallmarks of CML may be the Philadelphia chromosome, a cytogenetic function that is due to balanced translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22, producing in a fusion gene, bcr-abl, that encodes a kinase that phosphorylates a number of key proteins included in cell development and apoptosis. The fusion gene can recreate a CML-like syndrome when released into mice.

CML eventually transforms into acute leukemia (blast crisis), which is associated with further cytogenetic changes and a clinical course similar to that of acute leukemia. New courses of medicines that block the bcr-abl kinase by competing with the ATP-binding site, induce remissions in most patients in chronic phases of CML. Moreover, resistance to these bcr-abl inhibitors can include amplification from the bcr-abl breakpoint as nicely as the development (or clonal expansion) of mutations in the ATP-binding pocket of bcr-abl, which no longer allows binding of inhibitors.

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General Info On Leukemia

2010-07-08T05:34:00.000-07:00

General Info On Leukemia

Leukemia is a very serious disease that affects both the marrow and blood system. In the case of leukemia the number of white blood cells that are in a human body get seriously out of control and multiply to a very big and alarming number.

Because of this, and the fact that the marrow is responsible for normal blood production, the space for the normal count of blood cells to be made is messed up. From this 3 major problems occur: either the white blood cells become to rare the risk of infection seriously rising in this case, the red cells also become to be more rare, in this case anemia, fatigue or weakness affecting the patient.

Modern medicine has been able to classify leukemia in many types all of them with a wide variety of symptoms.

The word used to name this disorder also kind of names it: in Greek this literally means white blood. Because of the problems that occur in this disease the bone marrow might not be able to keep passe with the production of red blood cells or platelets in the normal numbers.

To make matters even worse the white cells start to increase in number at an alarming rate, thus not being capable to fully mature in order to fight viruses or other threats as they should. Aggravating the situation even more would be the fact that these great numbers of white cells infiltrate the organs causing even more problems like making them malfunction or even worse making them fail. The organs most likely to be affected are kidneys, liver and even the spleen. In the cases of the liver and spleen the size might actually increase.

The normal function of the spleen is that of a cleaner, filtering aging or dying red cells or platelets. When in the case of leukemia the spleen becomes enlarged, the duty that it has may actually become a problem for the body in the fact that it may actually start removing normally healthy red cells and platelets. This fact lids to the further decrease of number of these cells that were already starting to be produced in lower numbers.

As leukemia aggravates, the state of the blood also aggravates. This may become overwhelmed by immature white cells leading to severe problems in the patient, like: fatigue and weakness. The actual fact is that deprived of red cells and platelets the blood is no longer capable of coagulating properly making every little cut dangerous; to further increase risks white blood cells can’t this way fight an intruder if this ultimately makes its way into the body.

Leukemia is not a fact to joke about, the help of doctors and the need of medical attention being very big.

By: Groshan Fabiola

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Cure For Leukemia From Nature

2010-03-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

Cure For Leukemia From Nature
By Ty Daniel

Many people are now looking for natural cures to things such as leukemia. This is becoming more and more common among those that are suffering from this disease. There are many different reasons that people have for looking for natural cures for their illnesses. Some of them are because the patient may not like the chemical treatment that the doctor is offering. There can be severe and dangerous side effects and the patient may not find it worth the risk. If this is the case then they may turn to natural treatments to help them with their battle. You should certainly have hope because there are options for those seeking a cure for leukemia from nature out there.

Medical Treatment for Leukemia

The main medical treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy. The effects of chemotherapy may be detrimental to the patient in many ways. The patient may get fatigue and feel like they don't want to get out of bed. This can lead to depression and depression is far from good when you are trying to get your body to heal. Chemotherapy can also cause nausea or vomiting this is a side effect that many people simply do not like. It can make you feel very ill and that is not always good for getting your body to want to heal either.

Another common side effect from chemotherapy treatment is that you will often times lose your hair. This is undesirable and may be something that many are not willing to deal with. With chemotherapy you may find that you lose all of you hair and then are in need of a wig just to hide the fact that your hair is missing. You may also lose a good bit of weight as well. This could mainly be the cause of the nausea and vomiting enabling you from being able to eat or even keep down any amount of food.

Natures cure for leukemia

One of the most common known cures for leukemia is vitamin A. It is said that vitamin A has had great cure rates since the studies that have been done on it. In the studies vitamin A was injected directly into the fat of the person with leukemia. This deposit of vitamin A was said to be deposited into a "fat bubble" or into "bubbles of fat" to increase or enhance bio-availability.

There were 34 patients that were in the study and all they received was the vitamin A. Out of these 34 patients that received the vitamin A, 10 of these patients where still cancer free after five years even though none of these patients received the chemotherapy treatments. This was said to be astonishing by those who preformed the study.

These patients received only vitamin A for the natural treatment they did not receive any of the other natural remedies that are proven to help with leukemia as well. There are many other herbs and vitamins that if taken in conjunction with the vitamin A are thought to increase the success rate of the vitamin A treatment.

There are other supplements that you may want to take with this cure for leukemia remedy to improve the chances of being cured even more.

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Leukemia Cure - Survival Rates Of Patients With Leukemia

2009-12-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

Leukemia Cure - Survival Rates Of Patients With Leukemia

Although medical science has evolved significantly in the last decades, the treatment of leukemia is still a major issue in present. Modern medicine doesn’t hold the cure for leukemia and medical treatments available these days provide differentiated results. Survival rates depend on the promptitude of diagnosis, the type of treatment and the patients’ responsiveness to specific cancer therapies and treatments.

Although leukemia can’t always be completely overcome, the progression of the disease can be slowed down and its malignant effects can be contained with the help of existent cancer treatments. Thus, the life expectancy of patients with leukemia has risen considerably in the last three decades. By contrast, the mortality rate registered among patients with leukemia has known a pronounced decrease in the last decade.

The treatment of leukemia is focused towards achieving a complete remission with minimal side-effects. Complete remission refers to absence of leukemia traces at cellular level. Patients who present no evidence of malignant cellular activity after completing the treatment of leukemia are considered to be completely cured. By contrast, relapse indicates a recurrence of leukemia specific symptoms and physiological signs.

In the case of patients with acute leukemia, a remission that lasts for more than five years after the treatment suggests a complete recovery. This five-year period is considered to be critical for leukemia sufferers, as it can make the difference between relapse and complete recovery.

In the last few decades, the five-year survival period of patients with leukemia has tripled. While in the 60’s the five-year survival rate was around 15 percent, nowadays it revolves around 50 percent. This five-year survival period is strongly influenced by patients’ age and the type of leukemia. Statistics indicate that the five-year survival rate for patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is around 60 percent, while the five-year survival rate for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is higher, reaching the value of 70 percent. By contrast, the prognosis of patients with myelogenous leukemia is less favorable. The same five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is around 14 percent, while an estimated 32 percent of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) exceed this five-year survival period.

The five-year survival rate for children diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia revolves around the value of 80 percent, while the overall survival rate of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia is less than 45 percent. This type of leukemia is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in children. Due to the fact that it predominantly affects young patients with ages between 3 and 15, the disease is referred to as childhood leukemia.

In the United States, the mortality rate for children with leukemia has decreased with 60 percent in the last three decades. In spite of this fact, leukemia is still the leading cause of death among young patients with ages under 15.

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Tests For Determining Leukemia

2009-08-12T09:45:00.000-07:00

Tests For Determining Leukemia

The stem cells are formed by the leukemia cells in the bone marrow.These cells have uncontrolled growth and lead to decrease production of normal blood cells.From this point of view the symptoms are:anemia, increased risk of bleeding which include bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruising, increased risk of infection, slow healing.

The common symptoms of leukemia are:fatigue, lack of appetite, weight loss, fever,sweating.When leukemia arrives to the thymus gland the possible symptoms are:coughing or shortness of breath when the trachea is pressed by the enlarged thymus and swelling of the head and arms (SVC syndrome) when the superior vena cava is pressed by the enlarged thymus.

In the case when the leukemia spreads to the central nervous system there are other possible symptoms like: headaches, poor school performance, weakness, seizures, vomiting, poor balance, blurred vision.Other potential symptoms are: enlargement of the liver and spleen, enlargement of the lymph nodes,enlargement of the testicles and bone or joint pain.

The symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia are gingivitis and rash.The blood tests demanded for the leukemia diagnosis are: low red blood cell count, low platelets count, high white blood cell count, presence of white blood cell blasts.If blood tests shows leukemia presence, additional cells for analysis are obtained from the : bone marrow named bone marrow biopsy, lymph nodes named lymph node excision and cerebrospinal fluid named spinal tap.

To classify leukemia are used the following techniques: microscopic analysis of cell size and shape, cytochemistry-microscopic analysis of cell after treatment with chemicals, immunocytochemistry of flow cytometry-analysis of cells after treatment with laboratory antibodies, cytogenetics-analysis of the chromosomes in leukemia cells and molecular genetics-analysis of specific DNA sequences in leukemia cells.

When a child is diagnosed with leukemia the tests to be performed are the following: a chest x-ray for determine leukemia masses in the chest, bone x-rays for determine leukemia invasion of the bones or joints, a CT Scan for determine leukemia in certain lymph nodes and an MRI for determine leukemia in the brain.After the leukemia has been diagnosed additional tests can give informational about: the type of leukemia, the characteristics of the leukemia cells and its evolution through the body.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia in most cases is present to children and is indicated by two types: high-risk or low-risk.Patients with low-risk respond better to treatment with the possibility of curding, and patients with high-risk respond also to treatment but receive a more intensive treatment.Even if leukemia represents the blood cancer nowadays it can be treated due to the science evolution.

By: Groshan Fabiola

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Complete Information On Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

2009-06-08T04:07:00.000-07:00

Complete Information On Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), too known as chronic myelogenous leukemia. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a slow-growing cancer of the light-colored blood cells. It is too sometimes called chronic myeloid, chronic granulocytic or chronic myelocytic leukemia.

CML is a popular leukemia. In the United States, much than 20,000 folk have CML and about 4,600 original cases are diagnosed each year. Most cases of CML seem in adults, but about 2 to 4% of CML patients are children. CML is an acquired irregularity that involves the hematopoietic stalk cubicle.

It is characterized by a cytogenetic aberration consisting of a reciprocal translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 22. The translocation results in a shortened chromosome 22, an observation first described by Nowell and Hungerford and subsequently termed the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome after the city of discovery. Early signs and symptoms of CML are often vague.

They may include fever , losing weight without trying , loss of appetite and Feeling run-down or tired , pain or fullness below the ribs on the left side and sweating excessively during sleep (night sweats). Chronic myelogenous leukemia is a rare form of leukemia.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia is affecting simply one to two of every 100,000 people. Exposure to really higher levels of radioactivity increases the danger of developing chronic myelogenous leukemia the simply known danger element for this character of cancer. Survivors of a nuclear bomb attack or an atomic reactor accident are at high danger of developing chronic myelogenous leukemia.

The better handling will be distinct for distinct patients, depending on a patient's age and new health factors. Treatment normally consists of respective chemotherapeutic agents used to interrupt the output of leukemic cells.

These treatments may be followed by stalk cubicle transplantation. A marrow or incidental blood cubicle transplantation using cells from a household member or unconnected giver (an allogeneic transplantation) is the simply known handling that can heal CML.

A transplantation replaces the irregular cells in the patient's ivory marrow with robust cells from a giver. Autologous transplantation (using the patient's own cells) is being studied as a handling for CML that returns after Gleevec handling. Bone marrow transplant was too used as initial handling for CML in younger patients before the coming of imatinib.

By: Juliet Cohen

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Childhood Leukaemia And Various Subtypes

2009-05-18T08:52:00.001-07:00

Childhood Leukaemia And Various Subtypes

Although there are no accurate data for concordance rates of leukaemia in infant twins, it seems to be very high, and perhaps approaching one hundred percents. If this is correct, it suggests that MLL gene fusion in utero has a dramatic impact, ensuring subsequent leukaemia. But for children aged between two and six years who have acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, the concordance rate is considerably lower at around five percents.

This still represents a one hundred fold extra risk of leukaemia for the twin of a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia but also indicates the need for some additional postnatal events for which there is a one in twenty chance, or ninety five percent discordance. This actually suggests, at a minimum, a two hit model for the natural course of childhood leukaemia.

If this model of leukaemia development is correct, then for every child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia diagnosed, there should be at least twenty healthy children who actually have had a chromosome translocation, a functional leukaemia fusion gene, and a covert pre leukemic clone generated in utero.
This possibility has been investigated by screening unselected samples of newborn cord blood for fusion genes. Cord blood is actually the best place to find stem cells especially if you want to do umbilical cord blood collection and then go to a cord blood bank or stem cell bank to store it just in case.

The real bottleneck in development of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia therefore seems to be a stringent requirement for a second hit after birth, which is exposure and additional chromosomal or molecular abnormality.

A key issue to resolve is what exposures or events might precipitate the chromosome breaks whose improper repair initiates or promotes childhood leukaemia. Given the biological diversity of leukaemia, it is highly unlikely that there is a single cause. Even for a defined biological subtype of the disease, there probably is not one cause as such but a causal mechanism. As with other cancers, this is likely to involve an interaction of exposure with inherent genetic susceptibility, and chance.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that ionising radiation, certain chemicals, viruses and bacteria may actually play a part in the development of some subtypes of leukaemia and lymphoma in adults and children. Whether any of these exposures have a major role in childhood leukaemia is uncertain, but large scale case control molecular epidemiological studies in Great Britain and the United States if America may provide answers. Doing stem cell storage or cord blood storage in a cord blood bank or a stem cell bank could be a good solution as breakthrough seems to happen more and more often.

By: Wayne Cha

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Some Facts About Leukemia Treatment Options

2009-05-07T23:51:00.000-07:00

Some Facts About Leukemia Treatment Options

Leukemia has two major types: acute and chronic. In what concerns acute leukemia, there are two forms: if leukemia involves lymphocytes, we are dealing with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and if it involves myeloid cells, is called acute myelogenous leukemia. Depending on the particular cell that has become malignant, there can be many different types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia.It was seen that chronic leukemia affects primarily the myeloid cells in the bone marrow.

This is called chronic myelogenous leukemia, and is found mostly in adults, but children and teenagers can develop it too.We must mention that there exists a disorder of the bone marrow known as myelodysplastic syndrome. Often called a pre-leukemia syndrome because patients with it have a significantly increased risk of developing leukemia, this syndrome is often associated with low blood cell counts and increased requirements for transfusions.

Allogeneic bone marrow stem cell transplantation is used to treat a variety of childhood leukemias or cancers and myelodysplastic syndrome that involve the cells within the bone marrow. In this transplant, there are used another person's bone marrow cells to restore bone marrow after high dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy.As an advantage of an allogeneic transplant over an autologous transplant we can mention the "graft-versus-leukemia effect".

The donor’s healthy bone marrow kills residual leukemia cells, and in this way decreases the patient's chance of relapse.As a disadvantage of an allogeneic bone marrow stem cell transplant we can mention the risk of graft-versus-host disease. This happens when the other person's bone marrow attacks the recipient's body. In this way, there appears a disease that affects the skin, liver and many other organs. In this case, therapy with immunosuppressive drugs is needed.

When a matched donor is available, there can be performed transplantation for high-risk leukemia patients in first remission. In very high-risk patients, like those with leukemia who fail to achieve first remission with chemotherapy, there can be done an unrelated donor transplant as soon as remission is achieved. As eligible we can mention infants with leukemia, children with high-risk lymphoblastic leukemia and children with acute myelogenous leukemia. Also, children with myelodysplastic syndrome are eligible for transplant as soon as the diagnosis is established.

Many children with acute leukemias whose leukemia has relapsed can have bone marrow stem cell transplantation. Transplantation can be from related donors like brothers, sisters, parents, and occasionally more distant relatives such as cousins and grandparents.Also, transplantation can be from matched unrelated donors, including umbilical cord blood.In what concerns children with chronic myelogenous leukemia who cannot be put into complete remission with drugs, they should undergo a transplant as early as possible in the course of the disease.

By: Groshan Fabiola

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Childhood Leukemia And Various Subtypes

2009-04-22T08:15:00.001-07:00

Childhood Leukemia And Various Subtypes

Although there are no accurate data for concordance rates of leukemia in infant twins, it seems to be very high, and perhaps approaching one hundred percents. If this is correct, it suggests that MLL gene fusion in utero has a dramatic impact, ensuring subsequent leukemia. But for children aged between two and six years who have acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the concordance rate is considerably lower at around five percents.

This still represents a one hundred fold extra risk of leukemia for the twin of a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia but also indicates the need for some additional postnatal events for which there is a one in twenty chance, or ninety five percent discordance. This actually suggests, at a minimum, a two hit model for the natural course of childhood leukemia.

If this model of leukemia development is correct, then for every child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed, there should be at least twenty healthy children who actually have had a chromosome translocation, a functional leukemia fusion gene, and a covert pre leukemic clone generated in utero.

This possibility has been investigated by screening unselected samples of newborn cord blood for fusion genes. Cord blood is actually the best place to find stem cells especially if you want to do umbilical cord blood collection and then go to a cord blood bank or stem cell bank to store it just in case.

The real bottleneck in development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia therefore seems to be a stringent requirement for a second hit after birth, which is exposure and additional chromosomal or molecular abnormality.

A key issue to resolve is what exposures or events might precipitate the chromosome breaks whose improper repair initiates or promotes childhood leukemia. Given the biological diversity of leukemia, it is highly unlikely that there is a single cause. Even for a defined biological subtype of the disease, there probably is not one cause as such but a causal mechanism.

As with other cancers, this is likely to involve an interaction of exposure with inherent genetic susceptibility, and chance.
Epidemiological evidence suggests that ionising radiation, certain chemicals, viruses and bacteria may actually play a part in the development of some subtypes of leukemia and lymphoma in adults and children.

Whether any of these exposures have a major role in childhood leukemia is uncertain, but large scale case control molecular epidemiological studies in Great Britain and the United States if America may provide answers. Doing stem cell storage or cord blood storage in a cord blood bank or a stem cell bank could be a good solution as breakthrough seems to happen more and more often.

By: Wayne Cha

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Treatment Of Leukemia

2009-04-10T01:59:00.000-07:00

Treatment Of Leukemia

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. There are two types of leukemia, chronic and acute, which are treated differently and have different symptoms. Acute leukemia rapidly progresses and needs immediate, aggressive treatment. Chronic leukemia can take months or years to show symptoms and may not need immediate treatment but will require ongoing monitoring.

The most efficient treatment is the injection of healthy cells from a compatible donor inside the bone marrow. It has the highest chances of curing the patients but also the most many side-effects. The second therapy method is the targeted therapy with Gleevec but its curative potential is not yet well established as it has been available only since 2001. A treatment way with benefic results until this time is the immune sustaining Interferon. Other possible cures are in course of development but are not yet approved.

Prognosis for Acute Leukemia

Untreated, acute leukemia is usually fatal, often because of complications that result from leukemic cells infiltrating into the bone marrow or vital body organs.

With treatment prognosis varies, survival rates in leukemia have risen dramatically in the last 40 years with improvements in diagnosis and treatment. Children between 2 and 8 have the best survival rate (around 50%) but overall, treatment does induce remission in about 90% of cases.

To kill all cancerous cells the patient follows a treatment with a very high dose of chemotherapy and radiation.All normal bone marrow cells are killed due to the does of chemotherapy and radiation.Then the bone marrow is repopulated by the stored stem cells which return to the body.To treat disease and also to maintain the immunity of the body immunotherapy is used.For the patients with leukemia interferon alfa which is an immune-system activator produced as a drug for bolstering the immune system of the body is successfully used.

Green Tea has been shown to prevent cancer - Green tea’s anti-oxidants have been shown to have cancer preventative effects. Anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals, the damaging molecules that are created as a by-product of our digestion process. Without the proper level of anti-oxidants in our diets, these free radicals can cause aging and disease, including cancer. Many foods, mostly fruits and vegetables, contain anti-oxidants; but green tea has some of the most potent available.

Some patients do not survive the treatment, but the number of victims is decreasing as years pass, and we can only hope that an effective cure will be found in the near future.

Sweating is a powerful way to cleanse the body from accumulated toxins that usually cause leukemia. In addition to this bowel cleansing, dental cleanup, kidney cleansing and liver cleansing also contribute to preventing leukemia. Other ways of reducing the risk are prevention of maternal smoking, paternal heavy drinking, use of anti nausea drugs during pregnancy, and exposure to solvents or absorption of contaminated water. However, it should be noted that the above-mentioned preventions are mere suggestions. Since the accurate factors that cause leukemia are unknown, prevention for the same remains a general hypothesis.

By: Scott Gillespie

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New Discoveries In Leukemia Treatments

2009-03-20T01:50:00.000-07:00

New Discoveries In Leukemia Treatments

Scientists and doctors, with the help of modern technology and state of the art technical equipment, have succeeded in finding somewhat of a cure for leukemia. Pharmaceutical companies have come up with Gleevec, a promising new oral treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia suffering patients.

This type of cancer is one of the rarest and most life-threatening forms known to affect humans. After three month of testing the Food and Drug Administration have announced the approval of this new medicine, in order to better fight leukemia.

People all over the world are now able to receive this life saving treatment that is a culmination of many years of work, and thousand of hours of lab testing. Great investments have been made in order for people with leukemia to now be able to live a better life.

This whole collaboration between medicine and different institutions is a testament to the marvelous and groundbreaking scientific research done by people in labs across over the world. Everyone is lending a hand and trying to fight this horrible disease that has greatly affected man kind.

The new program instituted be the Food and Drug Administration allows the accelerated approval of drugs in order to faster and better fight life-threatening illnesses. Clinical trials done prior to the approval of the drug have established that the drug has a serious effect on the disease, significantly reducing the level of cancerous cells in the bone marrow and the blood of treated patients.

Although long term effects of the drug have not yet been properly studied, results show that Gleevec has a significant improvement on the patient that is suffering from leukemia. Clinical benefit are still to be completely proven, and that is why further tests and studies are needed.

The effect on the early stages of the disease will most certainly have to be studied in order to see a real chance of survival in patients. Side effects have still to be discovered and properly evaluated. On-going studies are trying to find as we speak if side effects do exist and if they do are they serious enough to pose a threat to persons suffering from leukemia.

The new Gleevec actually works as an inhibitor of the translocation- created enzyme. This way the drug is actually able to block the rapid growth of the large amount of white blood cells present in the blood of the human.

By: Groshan Fabiola

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Leukemia And Chemotherapy

2009-02-19T16:29:00.000-08:00

Leukemia And Chemotherapy

Leukemia is a disease that affects your blood and bone marrow. It is not a very common disease, but leukemia can be a very serious and severe condition. This disease can lead to death and treating your leukemia case may be painful and hard.

In almost all leukemia cases, the first treatment phase is through induction chemotherapy. This particular leukemia chemotherapy has the role of bringing leukemia into remission. This mean that your blood counts go back to normal and the number of leukemia cells decrease considerably.

This first leukemia treatment phase is can be very intense and it lasts about one week. Three weeks after this induction chemotherapy, the patient must take certain drugs in order to recover. Some of the leukemia patients can also be given extra medication, depending on what type of leukemia they suffer from and how they have reacted to treatment. The first time a leukemia patient has this chemotherapy may not always turn out to be successful. The treatment may have to be repeated a couple of times over.

After this induction chemotherapy, almost eighty percent of leukemia patients that are under 60 will be cured. The number drops at about 50 percent of all leukemia patients when it comes to people over 60. If children suffer from leukemia, then after this treatments more than 90 percent will be cured.

If not all leukemia cells are destroyed after the first chemotherapy phase, then consolidation chemotherapy is next. This second phase has as goal destroying the leukemia cells that are left. Large doses of cytarabine are given to the leukemia patient. This drug may be given in three cycles, sometimes even more. Many of the people that suffer from leukemia and get to this point of treatment will eventually be cured.

If neither one of these types of chemotherapy bring remission to the leukemia patient, than transplant may be his/ her chance. However, a bone marrow transplant presents some major risks and can have serious side effects. So, this way of treating leukemia is not used in all patients and it is only used when chemotherapy shows no effect whatsoever. Autogeneic or autologous transplant are some other methods used in cases of leukemia. Both have their risks, but when they are the only chance left, risk may mean the life of the leukemia patient. It may also turn out difficult to find a donor in cases of leukemia.

By: Groshan Fabiola

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Leukemia – Causes And Treatment Of Leukemia

2009-02-16T08:25:00.000-08:00

Leukemia – Causes And Treatment Of Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. These deranged, immature cells accumulate in the blood and within organs of the body. They are not able to carry out the normal functions of blood cells. Normal blood contains 3 major groups of cells: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. All 3 types of blood cells develop from one immature cell type, called blood/marrow stem cells, in a process called hematopoiesis.

In leukemia, your bone marrow produces a large number of abnormal white blood cells. They look different from normal blood cells and don't function properly. Eventually, they block production of normal white blood cells, impairing your ability to fight off infection. Leukemia cells also crowd out other types of blood cells produced by the bone marrow, including red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues throughout your body, and platelets, which help form blood clots.

Causes of Leukemia

Acute leukemia: In acute leukemia, the abnormal blood cells are immature blood cells (blasts). They can't carry out their normal work, and they multiply rapidly, so the disease worsens quickly. Acute leukemia requires aggressive, timely treatment.

Viruses: The human T-cell leukemia virus I (HTLV-I) is related to acute T-cell leukemia. This type of leukemia is well documented in parts of the Caribbean and Asia, but it is uncommon in the United States and Europe. Higher rates of leukemias also have been reported in workers who are exposed to animal viruses (e.g., butchers, slaughterhouse workers, veterinary practitioners).

Chronic leukemia: This type of leukemia involves more mature blood cells. These blood cells replicate or accumulate more slowly and can function normally for a period of time. Some forms of chronic leukemia produce no signs or symptoms and can go unnoticed or undiagnosed for years.

Genetics–Leukemia risk is increased 15-fold among children with Down's syndrome, which is a genetically linked chromosomal abnormality (usually an extra copy of chromosome 21). Three rare inherited disorders—Fanconi's anemia, Bloom's syndrome, and ataxia telangiectasia—also have an increased risk for leukemia.

Treatment for Leukemia

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the major form of treatment for leukemia. This treatment uses chemical agents to kill leukemia cells. Depending on the type of leukemia you have, you may receive a single drug or a combination of one or more drugs. These drugs may come in a pill form, or they may be injected directly into a vein.

Interferon Therapy: Interferons are a class of proteins that are released by virus-infected cells. They help normal cells to make antiviral proteins. Interferons also help the body to reduce leukemia cell proliferation (growth and reproduction), while strengthening the body's immune response.

Kinase inhibitors: For most people with CML, the drug imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) is the first line of therapy. Imatinib mesylate is a type of cancer drug called a kinase inhibitor. It was specifically developed to inhibit the BCR-ABL protein, and it has proved effective in treating the early stages of chronic myelogenous leukemia. Several newer kinase inhibitors are in development.

Surgery is generally not used to treat leukemia. Occasionally, a person with leukemia that has spread to the spleen has the spleen removed. This is usually done only if the spleen is so large that it is causing problems for nearby organs.

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses X-rays or other high-energy rays to damage leukemia cells and stop their growth. You may receive radiation in one specific area of your body where there is a collection of leukemia cells, or you may receive radiation directed at your whole body.

By: Corwin Brown

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Information About Leukemia

2009-01-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

Information About Leukemia

Leukemia is a disease that is considered to be life-threatening. It requires prompt intervention when discovered, in order to maximize the chances of recovering through specific treatment and therapy. Leukemia is basically a type of cancer of the bone marrow and blood, caused by inappropriate cellular activity. The disease can be of different forms, according to the types of blood cells that cause its development. Also, if leukemia is developing rapidly, it is called acute leukemia, while if the disease is developing slowly, it is referred to as chronic leukemia.

Leukemia is cancer that starts in the blood-forming tissue of the body, like the bone marrow. This year, it is estimated that there will be another 44,270 cases of leukemia diagnosed and about 21,700 deaths caused by it. That's too many. One is too many, but these figures are way, way down from what they were only a few years ago. There was a time when a diagnosis of leukemia was a certain death sentence; but that is no longer the case, and the numbers are improving every year. The bone marrow in people who have the disease produces abnormal white blood cells. In the beginning, they function and behave almost normally, but eventually they start to crowd out normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Studies indicate that leukemia is not inherited nor is it contagious. Several factors are suspected, although scientists have been unable to pinpoint the exact cause. No specific sets of preventions are available for leukemia. However, on analyzing the factors that generally cause leukemia a rough and general idea on the prevention of the disease can be made. Amongst newborn babies breast milk has shown properties that help in preventing occurrences of leukemia. Statistics have shown that mothers who breast-feed their babies for even one month lower their risk of leukemia by 20%. The factors that cause leukemia are numerous. Continuous exposure to high-level x-ray radiation increases susceptibility for leukemia development.

Leukemia is a dangerous form of cancer, and it affects thousands of people every year. It affects the white blood cells. The body loses control of the quantity and quality of blood cells, and it becomes very vulnerable because the white blood cells are supposed to protect our organism against infections. There are two main types of leukemia - acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia is more dangerous because it spreads much faster, but chronic leukemia can be tricky because it has almost no symptoms. The first organ that is affected by chronic leukemia is the bone marrow. The bone marrow is a tissue that can be found on some of the main bones in the body and that has the role of producing blood cells (red blood cells and white blood cells).

Leukemia severely affects a person's immune system; the disease is characterized by low levels of leukocytes of white blood cells, which play an important role in the body's defenses against disease. This disease can lead to other complications such as infections. However, for people who already have compromised immune systems, such as children and the elderly, developing leukemia can have some severe effects and complications. For children, the effects of leukemia can be very pronounced because battling the disease can take a toll on their fragile bodies.

By: greenherbal

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

What Is Leukemia And Symptoms Of Leukemia

2009-01-08T06:39:00.000-08:00

What Is Leukemia And Symptoms Of Leukemia

Leukemia is a form of cancer that begins in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow—the soft, inner part of the bones. Leukemia, which literally means "white blood" in Greek, occurs when there is an excess of abnormal white blood cells in the blood.Known as leukocytes, these cells are so plentiful in some patients that the blood actually has a whitish tinge.

As leukemia progresses, the cancer interferes with the body's production of other types of blood cells, including red blood cells and platelets. This results in anemia (low numbers of red cells) and bleeding problems, in addition to the increased risk of infection caused by white cell abnormalities.

Causes of Leukemia

Being exposed to large amounts of radiation.
Being exposed to certain chemicals in the workplace.
Past chemotherapy or radiation for another cancer. (This is rare, and not all chemotherapies raise your leukemia risk.)

Working with chemicals like benzene or formaldehyde

These are only risk factors. Most people who have one of the risk factors do not get leukemia.
If you think your child is at risk for leukemia, talk with your doctor.

It is now known that all cancers, including leukemia, begin as a mutation in the genetic material—the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)—within certain cells. The external or internal causes of such change probably add up over a lifetime. Leukemia begins when one or more white blood cells experience DNA loss or damage. Those errors are copied and passed on to subsequent generations of cells.

There is conflicting evidence about whether electromagnetic field (EMF) is a potential risk factor for developing leukemia. Several large studies are in progress at this time to further investigate this question. EMFs are a type of energy that occurs near very high-voltage power lines.

Symptoms of Leukemia

Infection: A child with leukemia may develop an infection that doesn't respond to antibiotics, have a high fever, and become very sick. This is because of a deficiency of normal white blood cells, particularly mature granuloctyes. Although leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells and children with leukemia may have very high white blood cell counts, the leukemic cells do not protect against infection the way normal white blood cells do.

Such symptoms are not sure signs of leukemia. An infection or another problem also could cause these symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat the problem.

Doctors may find chronic leukemia during a routine exam before any symptoms arise. This form of leukemia may develop over longer periods covering months or years before symptoms are apparent. When symptoms do appear, they tend to be mild and worsen gradually.

Treatment of Leukemia

Stem cell transplantation (SCT) to enable treatment with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; and
Surgery to remove an enlarged spleen or to install a venous access device (large plastic tube) to give medications and withdraw blood samples.

Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses X-rays or other high-energy rays to damage leukemia cells and stop their growth. You may receive radiation in one specific area of your body where there is a collection of leukemia cells, or you may receive radiation directed at your whole body.

Leukemia patients often find it helpful to take a family member or close friend along to these consultations in order to take notes and assist in remembering some of the points of the discussion. For children with leukemia, such is always the case.

By: samnickel7

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Leukemia Causes And Risk Factors

2009-01-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

Leukemia Causes And Risk Factors

Leukemia is a disease that is considered to be life-threatening. It requires prompt intervention when discovered, in order to maximize the chances of recovering through specific treatment and therapy.

Leukemia is basically a type of cancer of the bone marrow and blood, caused by inappropriate cellular activity. The disease can be of different forms, according to the types of blood cells that cause its development. Also, if leukemia is developing rapidly, it is called acute leukemia, while if the disease is developing slowly, it is referred to as chronic leukemia.

The direct leukemia causes are still unknown. In present, medical science isn’t able to establish the specific leukemia causes. However, a strong connection between certain genetic factors and the development of the disease has been revealed. Leukemia occurs on the background of genetic failure that causes the excessive production of incomplete, partially matured blood cells.

Also, leukemia has a hereditary character, allowing the transmission of genetic predispositions to disease from one generation to another. Although many factors are known to contribute to the development of leukemia, they alone can’t be considered leukemia causes.

Basic types of leukemia:
1. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: It is responsible for about 7,000 new cases of leukemia each year. People diagnosed with the disease are usually over the age 55, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia almost never affects children.
2. Chronic myeloid leukemia: It is responsible for about 4,400 new cases each year. Adults are most often diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.
3. Acute lymphocytic leukemia: It is responsible for about 3,800 new cases each year. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in young children, but it can also affect adults.

Promyelocytic Leukemia
Promyelocytic Leukemia a growth of the bone marrow in which there is a deficit of mature blood cells in the myeloid line of cells and a surplus of immature cells called promyelocytes. Promyelocytic leukemia is due to a translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17 which is symbolized t(15;17). This translocation is not a mere indicator of promyelocytic leukemia but the main cause. Promyelocytic leukemia generally comes under the acute form leukemia. It is also termed as acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

In 1957, promyelocytic leukemia was first accepted as an individual disease entity. It accounts for 5-10% of cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The peak incidence of promyelocytic leukemia is amongst young adults. Promyelocytic leukemia is thought of as a type of AML and is classified as the M3 variant of AML.

Leukemia Symptoms
Leukemia symptoms may vary depending on the type of leukemia. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- pale skin
- tiredness
- mild fever
- bruises
- shortness of breath
- thrombocytopenia
- petechiae
- bone pain
- enlarged spleen
- enlarged liver
- enlarged lymph nodes
- headache
- vomiting
- recurring infections
- Some of these leukemia symptoms also mimic those of less severe illnesses but it is always best to be checked by your doctor to determine the cause of symptoms.

By: "Rich jammes"

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Leukemia Symptoms

2008-12-18T06:32:00.000-08:00

Leukemia Symptoms
By Jennifer Bailey

Leukemia is one of the most dangerous types of cancer because it affects the blood, which has a number of very important functions such as transporting oxygen to the different organs to the body.

Given this, there has been considerable research on the disease, which includes research in formulating treatments and in the early detection of symptoms.

The current literature on leukemia presents a number of symptoms that can be detected on initial examination and symptoms that can be seen after more thorough tests. Presented below is some of the literature with regard to these symptoms.

Initial signs and symptoms

Medical research has characterized the initial signs and symptoms of leukemia as nonspecific and vague. This is because some symptoms can be found in non-cancer patients as well.

However, researchers have identified some general features among the symptoms of people with leukemia: abnormal bleeding, weight loss, fatigue, malaise (nonspecific feeling of bodily discomfort), excessive bruising (hematoma), weakness, bone or joint pain, abdominal pain, infections and fever, enlarged spleen lymph nodes and liver, and a reduced tolerance for exercise.

However, there are cases wherein people with leukemia exhibit no symptoms or are asymptomatic until the disease becomes chronic.

The other symptoms of leukemia also include the symptoms that different organs may exhibit as a result of the cancer cells being deposited in the organ due to the leukemia.

Further testing

Once leukemia is suspected, physicians often recommend further testing for confirmation purposes. For leukemia, the most common test is a blood test, wherein any abnormalities related to leukemia can be seen.

One of these abnormalities is anemia, which means that the blood has very low levels of erythrocytes or red blood cells; unusual paleness of the patient and a certain level of respiratory difficulty often characterize this condition.

Another abnormality is Leukopenia, which means that the blood has very low levels of leukocytes or white blood cells, which increases the risk of infection in the patient.Other abnormalities include Neutropenia, Thrombocytopenia, and Thrombocytosis.

There has been considerable research on leukemia because it is considered one of the most dangerous forms of cancer.

Given this, a huge body of literature on its treatment and its symptoms has been created. As a result of this, people can now get more information on its symptoms, which can help them detect these symptoms early, which is the key to effectively treating cancers such as leukemia.

source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Leukemia-Symptoms&id=277084

Understanding Chronic Leukemia

2008-12-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

Understanding Chronic Leukemia

Leukemia is a disease of the blood and bone marrow that occurs on the background of genetic predispositions to cancer. Leukemia affects the cellular process of maturation, causing the accumulation of immature blood cells in the spinal marrow and bloodstream.

In some cases leukemia causes the incomplete cells to multiply very quickly, while in other cases the abnormal blood cells have prolonged periods of life and persist in different places inside the body. Incomplete blood cells can’t substitute for normal blood cells, as they can’t carry out their roles. The cells affected by leukemia are therefore incompatible with the organism and can cause serious damage.

Judging by the speed of development and the persistence of the disorder, there are two types of leukemia: acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Judging by the types of stem cells affected by the disorder, leukemia can either be lymphocytic or myelogenous.

Acute leukemia is different from chronic leukemia by the levels that stem cells are able to reach in their development (stem cells that present anomalies still manage to partially develop and either resemble immature cells or complete, normal white blood cells).

Acute leukemia is a form of cancer that develops very rapidly. It is manifested through overpopulation of the blood with immature cells that are unable to fulfill the functions of normal blood cells. In the case of acute leukemia, the marrow is unable to produce normal quantities of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Patients who suffer from leukemia also develop anemia, a deficiency of normal red blood cells. Also, a decreased number of white blood cells reduces the body’s ability of overcoming infections, while the lack of platelets facilitates inflammation and bleeding.

Chronic leukemia tends to develop slower than acute leukemia. In the case of chronic leukemia, the body is able to produce blood cells that are more mature than those produced in acute leukemia. Although these cells may appear incomplete, they can’t fulfill their roles inside the organism and tend to cluster at different levels of the body. They also have a longer period of life.

Chronic leukemia of lymphocytic form is known to affect a type of blood cell called B lymphocyte. The disease weakens the immune system, interferes in the normal activity of the spinal marrow and facilitates the access of harmful cells to body organs. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia first occurs at the levels of the bone marrow, but can quickly spread to different organs and tissue through the bloodstream.

The presence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is usually revealed by blood tests and careful body examination. Although apparently some people may have no symptoms of the disease, other patients may experience fatigue, lack of concentration, poor balance, memory loss, deterioration of vision and hearing, vertigos, body weakness, joint and bone pains.

Just like in other forms of the disease, chronic leukemia requires immediate specific treatment and therapy. The chances of fully overcoming the disease are considerably enhanced if it is discovered quickly.

By: Groshan Fabiola

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The General Aspects of Leukemia

2008-12-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

The General Aspects of Leukemia
By Groshan Fabiola

Many people suffer from leukemia these days. A large number of cases of cancer are identified to be leukemia. Leukemia is a sort of cancer of the blood and marrow. The disease is characterized through the overproducing of immature blood cells (stem cells) that aren’t able to fully develop and to carry out the activities of normal blood cells.

According to their functions and structure, there are three different types of cells within the normal blood: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Through the process of hematopoiesis, these three types of blood cells are developed from a distinctive type of blood cell called stem cell. Stem cells divide and go through several stages of development to finally form a mature blood cell of a particular type, with a certain, distinctive function in the body. The process through which a stem cell morphs into a mature blood cell takes place within the bone marrow.

According to the speed of development and the persistence of the disorder, there are two types of leukemia: acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia is known to develop very rapidly, while chronic leukemia is developed slowly. According to the types of blood cells affected by the disease, leukemia can either be lymphocytic or myelogenous.

Lymphocytic and myelogenous types of leukemia are developed from different types of cells: the lymphocytic type of leukemia develops from cells called lymphoblasts or lymphocytes in the spongious tissue of the bones, while the myelogenous type of leukemia (sometimes refered to as myeloid and myelocytic leukemia) develops from myeloid cells.

In the case of acute forms of leukemia, the abnormal cells come from early, immature cells. Such forms of the disorder have a very fast rate of development, due to the fact that normal stem cells tend to multiply frequently. Leukemia cells usually don’t divide faster and more frequently than normal stem cells, they simply don’t stop their process of division when they should. Sometimes the numbers of white blood cells are very high, while in other cases they can be normal or low.

Chronic leukemia, apart from its slow development, is different from acute leukemia by the level of maturation that the diseased cells are able to reach. Stem cells affected by chronic leukemia reach a higher level of maturation but they present abnormalities and they can’t act as healthy white blood cells do. Unlike acute leukemia, in the chronic form of the disease the unhealthy cells have much longer periods of life and they tend to accumulate in different parts of the body.

Leukemia affects people of all age groups. While children usually respond better to the treatment for leukemia and sometimes deal well with the disease, adults difficultly cope with this form of cancer.

Regardless of age and sex, many people are diagnosed with forms of leukemia. Children tend to respond better to some types of leukemia, while adults difficultly cope with the disease. The cases of acute leukemia exceed those of chronic leukemia by approximately 10 percent. Older adults seem to be affected the most by acute leukemia. Around two thirds of acute leukemia cases seem to occur after the age of 60.

How To Treat Leukemia

2008-12-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

How To Treat Leukemia

Treating leukemia can be a complex and difficult task. Certain factors must be taken in to calculation if a proper treatment is to be administered and to take affect. The treatment varies from person to person depending on their state of health, immune system and many other facts. Also the appropriate treatment must chosen for each type of leukemia. Other factors like the severity of the disease or precedent treatments must also be taken in to consideration.

The best of ways in witch to treat leukemia is under medical supervision preferable at a specialized location or treatment center. Doctors should take immediate action if this is not possible, the treatment of the patient being of the utmost importance. General info and new updated treatments can also be found if one contacts the Cancer Information Service.

In the case of acute leukemia help is required right away, a remission of the disease being needed if the patient is to ever improve. The fact is that acute leukemia can be cured; in order to be shore about it more therapy is needed if a come back is to be avoided.

In chronic leukemia ( where symptoms in patients are a whole lot milder) immediate e treatment is not always needed, although it would be wise to have regular check ups with the doctor. Giving a proper treatment and giving it on time would certainly control the symptoms of the disease and of course the disease its self. The sad thing about chronic leukemia is that unlike acute leukemia it can be seldom be cured.

Families are advised to know and find out the best they can about the disease in order to understand it and play an active role along side doctors in treating and curing it. Clinical trials are available and can be taken in order to improve the treatment of cancer in people. Finding out that a person has this awful disease is always a shock to ones family, stress naturally being the next thing to happen. Being overwhelmed by this feeling the patient can find it difficult to ask the proper questions or to remember everything that a doctor tell or advice him. The best thing to do in this situations is to calm down and properly think of the actions and steps that must be taken in order to fight the disease.

Most often certain questions are asked by the patients. What type of leukemia it is their dealing with and what the treatment may be are some of the more frequent asked. What the benefits and also the side effects would be if a certain treatment were to be applied.

For all this questions the doctor would be the most appropriate person to ask.

By: Groshan Fabiola

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

New Discoveries In Leukemia Treatments

2008-12-09T18:47:00.000-08:00

New Discoveries In Leukemia Treatments

Scientists and doctors, with the help of modern technology and state of the art technical equipment, have succeeded in finding somewhat of a cure for leukemia. Pharmaceutical companies have come up with Gleevec, a promising new oral treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia suffering patients. This type of cancer is one of the rarest and most life-threatening forms known to affect humans. After three month of testing the Food and Drug Administration have announced the approval of this new medicine, in order to better fight leukemia.

People all over the world are now able to receive this life saving treatment that is a culmination of many years of work, and thousand of hours of lab testing. Great investments have been made in order for people with leukemia to now be able to live a better life. This whole collaboration between medicine and different institutions is a testament to the marvelous and groundbreaking scientific research done by people in labs across over the world. Everyone is lending a hand and trying to fight this horrible disease that has greatly affected man kind.

The new program instituted be the Food and Drug Administration allows the accelerated approval of drugs in order to faster and better fight life-threatening illnesses. Clinical trials done prior to the approval of the drug have established that the drug has a serious effect on the disease, significantly reducing the level of cancerous cells in the bone marrow and the blood of treated patients.

Although long term effects of the drug have not yet been properly studied, results show that Gleevec has a significant improvement on the patient that is suffering from leukemia. Clinical benefit are still to be completely proven, and that is why further tests and studies are needed. The effect on the early stages of the disease will most certainly have to be studied in order to see a real chance of survival in patients. Side effects have still to be discovered and properly evaluated. On-going studies are trying to find as we speak if side effects do exist and if they do are they serious enough to pose a threat to persons suffering from leukemia.

The new Gleevec actually works as an inhibitor of the translocation- created enzyme. This way the drug is actually able to block the rapid growth of the large amount of white blood cells present in the blood of the human.

By: Groshan Fabiola

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Helpful Facts To Understand What Is Leukemia

2008-12-09T18:45:00.000-08:00

Helpful Facts To Understand What Is Leukemia

Being a cancer of the blood cells, leukemia has several types, classified depending on how quickly they progress and what cells they affect.We can mention the role of normal blood cells. White blood cells are fighting against the infections, red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and return carbon dioxide to the lungs as waste but also give the red color to the blood, and platelets form clots to control bleeding. The blood also contains a fluid called plasma.

The bone marrow, which is a spongy area located in the center of bones is responsible with the producing of these products. The bone marrow contains some cells called blasts, which are not yet mature, but when they become mature, they move into the circulating blood.In leukemia, one blood cell goes awry, and the body produces large amounts of this cell. These abnormal, non-functional cells will leave too little space for healthy cells. The symptoms of leukemia are being caused by this imbalance of healthy and unhealthy cells.

Leukemias can be acute or chronic. The white blood cells multiple very quickly and are very immature in acute leukemia, blood fills with blasts quickly and symptoms appear.In chronic leukemia, fewer symptoms appear, because the blasts form more slowly, and the body also produces functional cells. Chronic leukemia may cause the spleen to become enlarged so it can be felt by the doctor during a routine physical, and then further investigation will be performed.

Depending on which type of white blood cell is affected (lymphoid cells or myeloid cells), leukemias can be divided in types called lymphocytic leukemia and myelogenous leukemia.Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type in children, but it is also seen in adults older than 65, and acute myeloid leukemia appears in both children and adults.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia occurs often in people over age 55, sometimes affects younger adults and almost never children, and in what concerns chronic myelogenous leukemia, it appears mostly in adults.

The exact causes of leukemia are not known but it was seen that exposure to high-energy radiation and working with the chemical benzene over a long period of time, can lead to it but also some genetic syndromes, such as Down's syndrome, put a person at higher risk.Although it was not proved, there are scientists that believe that persons exposed to electromagnetic fields are at a greater risk as well.In order to determine if a person has leukemia, the doctor will perform a blood count.

In this way, there will appear if there is an abnormally low or high number of white blood cells.Patients with leukemia may develop fevers or infections that won't go away; there can also appear anemia, which will cause the patient to feel tired or appear pale.In chronic leukemia symptoms may not appear for some time, and may be mild. Some common symptoms are fever, chills, weakness and fatigue, easy bleeding or bruising, swollen or bleeding gums, swollen or tender lymph nodes, liver or spleen.In acute leukemia there can also appear headaches, vomiting, confusion, or seizures.

For performing the diagnose, the doctor will ask about medical history and conduct a physical exam. If abnormalities such as enlarged spleen, liver or lymph nodes are detected, further investigation is needed. A complete blood count must be performed, and this test will confirm leukemia. In order to determine the type of leukemia, the physician will take a sample of the bone marrow and examine it under a microscope. The doctor may also want to perform a lumbar puncture to determine if leukemia cells have entered the spinal cord.

It is recommended that patients receive treatment at a medical center that is experienced in treating the disease. The target of the therapy is to induce a remission.Acute leukemia must be treated immediately, but chronic leukemia may not need to be treated right away (depending on the symptoms).After therapy has induced a remission, it is needed frequent monitoring of blood cell counts, to watch for relapse. Patients who have a remission that lasts five years are generally considered cured.

By: Groshan Fabiola

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Protein Research Used In Leukemia Treatment

2008-12-09T18:44:00.000-08:00

Protein Research Used In Leukemia Treatment

Leukemia is known as a type of cancer that attacks the blood. A recent discovered protein is believed to provide insights into the details of the interaction between sperm and egg. Its structure is believed to hold the key to new treatments for the earlier mentioned condition, leukemia. This protein structure was discovered by C.D. Stout at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.

Their research has proved the connection between a protein in the eggs of a marine mollusk and the protein on the outside of human white blood cells.

The egg protein was from the California sea snail named Aplysia californica, an animal that is frequently used by biologists in the process of fertilization. As we know, events occur at the molecular level when a sperm cell joins with an egg but these events are similar to those that are seen among the animals and humans too. The premier event that occurs is that a flood of calcium ions is released as a signal for the egg to begin to divide. The flood of the calcium ions is known to be controlled by a regulatory molecule, some kind of molecular switch, termed as a secondary messenger.

The mentioned secondary messenger is synthesized inside the egg from the building blocks of DNA. It is known that the reaction requires a specialized protein known as ADP ribosyl cyclase. This is the protein that we were talking about in the beginning of our article. ADP ribosyl cyclase is the protein that was studied by the researchers at the Scripps. A three dimensional image was reconstructed after preparing the crystals of the protein and after scattering x-rays off them. The image reveals that two of the molecules combine together to create a hole or a molecular cavity between the proteins. In these holes or cavities, the protein traps the DNA building blocks and rearranges their pattern of chemical bonds to synthesize the messenger.

In leukemia patients the white blood cells have a signaling protein called CD38 that for normal cells is present only in the early stages of the condition. It was noticed that molecule CD38 is similar to the cyclase protein that we discussed about earlier and that is why researchers think that CD38 molecules also pair up to create an internal cavity. The main difference between the cyclase and CD38 protein is that CD38 has a tail reaching across the cell membrane providing a means for it to transmit signals to inside the white cells.

Researchers do hope that drugs targeted toward the cavity in CD#* could be useful in allowing the immune system to eliminate leukemia cells.

By: Groshan Fabiola

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Use Of Cord Blood To Cure Leukemia

2008-12-09T18:42:00.000-08:00

Use Of Cord Blood To Cure Leukemia

A three-year-old leukemia victim was given a life-saving infusion of her own cord blood, marking the first time a child with this disease served as their own blood donor, American doctors said.

The little girl is now a thriving six-year-old -- a tribute, say her doctors, to the pioneering transplant that helped her recover from radical chemotherapy.

They also commended the foresight of her parents who decided to save some of her umbilical cord on the off chance it might be needed later.

"There's a good chance the procedure saved her life. She is in remission and has an excellent chance of being cured," said Ammar Hayani, the pediatric oncologist who treated the youngster at Advocate Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, Ill.

In 2003, the little girl was diagnosed with the most common childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and began long-term chemotherapy treatment.

She quickly went into remission, but 10 months later the cancer was back, and this time it had spread to her spine, a worrying development that signaled the leukemia was a particularly aggressive kind that would probably not respond well to treatment, Hayani said.

Her doctors responded with a more aggressive chemotherapy protocol and full-body radiation, and then looked around for ways to replace the blood system they had wiped out.

Ordinarily they would have had to choose between a blood or bone marrow transplant from a family member or unrelated donor, but in this case, the family members were not a match.

And rather than use material from an unrelated donor, with the corresponding risk of life-long complications, they opted to take the controversial and risky step of transplanting the girl's own cord blood, which had been frozen and stored at a private blood bank several years following her birth in 1999.

"We were in unchartered territory," said Hayani. "We couldn't predict with any certainty whether the operation would be successful. We had no concrete data, but the parents felt very comfortable with it, so we went ahead."

The procedure was not without risk, because even though the cord blood was screened to ensure it did not contain any cancerous cells, the screening techniques are not 100 percent accurate, Hayani explained.

Still, the child's parents weighed the risks and gambled that their daughter's own stem cells, contained in her cord blood, would benefit her more than stem cells harvested from the bone marrow or blood of strangers.

The results so far suggest they made the right call, said Hayani who reported on the girl's case in a paper that appears in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics.

"It's hard to argue with success. Relapse seems very unlikely at this point, and she has an excellent quality of life, much better than if she had taken stem cells from a donor."

By: Kerwin A. Chang

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Complete Information On Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

2008-12-09T18:40:00.001-08:00

Complete Information On Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the type leukemia. The leukemia either the leukemia are the blood or the marrow cancer and for the unusual proliferation (production description by multiplication) the blood corpuscle. The chronic lymphocytic leukemia (and called CLL) is slowly usually obtains a worse blood and the marrow disease. CLL is the secondary common type leukemia in the adult. It frequently will occur in or in the middle age later the period. It very little occurs regarding the child. Every year, about 10,,000 personally accepts the chronic lymphocytic leukemia in US to diagnose.

More people are the survival and CLL compare other type leukemia. Most people's and CLL at least 50 years old. A patient's average age has this type leukemia is 70. It is short very much is seen in a person younger ratio 40. The disease is together the Jew which drops in Russia or Eastern Europe, with is uncommon in Asia. The chronic lymphocytic leukemia cannot cause the sign or the symptom. When the symbol and the symptom are the existence at the disease early time stage, they frequently are vague and unspecific and include the fever, reduces weight, the appetite, the lethargic loss and is weary.

Perhaps a more specific symbol and the symptom emerge in a more advanced stage without the treatment chronic leukemia. These symbols and the symptom occur when the leukemic cell crowds beside suitably the function, mature blood corpuscle. The chronic lymphocytic leukemia is possible and to cause the bone ache, the joint pain, the lymph node to swell the liver and the spleen, with expansion in neck, underarm, stomach or mouse footpath. The different leukemia possibly has to the herbicide other cause exposition and the insecticide, perhaps increases the chronic lymphocytic leukemia risk.

The virus and connected with some kind of leukemia form. The Fanconi anemia and is the risk factor for the development profound myelogenous leukemia. Has early the stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia most patients (CLL) not to need any treatment when the disease is first diagnosed. The most common treatment is CLL is chemotherapy medicine fludarabine. The injection to the colony stimulates analyzes the factor which because for example the granulocyte colony stimulates (G-CSF), perhaps helps to shorten the grain of leukopenia the period cause to the induction therapy.

By: Juliet Cohen

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What Is Leukemia And Symptoms Of Leukemia

2008-12-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

What Is Leukemia And Symptoms Of Leukemia

Leukemia is a form of cancer that begins in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow—the soft, inner part of the bones. Leukemia, which literally means "white blood" in Greek, occurs when there is an excess of abnormal white blood cells in the blood.Known as leukocytes, these cells are so plentiful in some patients that the blood actually has a whitish tinge.

As leukemia progresses, the cancer interferes with the body's production of other types of blood cells, including red blood cells and platelets. This results in anemia (low numbers of red cells) and bleeding problems, in addition to the increased risk of infection caused by white cell abnormalities.

Causes of Leukemia

Being exposed to large amounts of radiation.
Being exposed to certain chemicals in the workplace.
Past chemotherapy or radiation for another cancer. (This is rare, and not all chemotherapies raise your leukemia risk.)

Working with chemicals like benzene or formaldehyde

These are only risk factors. Most people who have one of the risk factors do not get leukemia.
If you think your child is at risk for leukemia, talk with your doctor.

It is now known that all cancers, including leukemia, begin as a mutation in the genetic material—the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)—within certain cells. The external or internal causes of such change probably add up over a lifetime. Leukemia begins when one or more white blood cells experience DNA loss or damage. Those errors are copied and passed on to subsequent generations of cells.

There is conflicting evidence about whether electromagnetic field (EMF) is a potential risk factor for developing leukemia. Several large studies are in progress at this time to further investigate this question. EMFs are a type of energy that occurs near very high-voltage power lines.

Symptoms of Leukemia

Infection: A child with leukemia may develop an infection that doesn't respond to antibiotics, have a high fever, and become very sick. This is because of a deficiency of normal white blood cells, particularly mature granuloctyes. Although leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells and children with leukemia may have very high white blood cell counts, the leukemic cells do not protect against infection the way normal white blood cells do.

Such symptoms are not sure signs of leukemia. An infection or another problem also could cause these symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat the problem.

Doctors may find chronic leukemia during a routine exam before any symptoms arise. This form of leukemia may develop over longer periods covering months or years before symptoms are apparent. When symptoms do appear, they tend to be mild and worsen gradually.

Treatment of Leukemia

Stem cell transplantation (SCT) to enable treatment with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; and
Surgery to remove an enlarged spleen or to install a venous access device (large plastic tube) to give medications and withdraw blood samples.

Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses X-rays or other high-energy rays to damage leukemia cells and stop their growth. You may receive radiation in one specific area of your body where there is a collection of leukemia cells, or you may receive radiation directed at your whole body.

Leukemia patients often find it helpful to take a family member or close friend along to these consultations in order to take notes and assist in remembering some of the points of the discussion. For children with leukemia, such is always the case.

By: samnickel7

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Signs, Symptoms And Treatment Of Feline Leukemia

2008-12-09T18:30:00.000-08:00

Signs, Symptoms And Treatment Of Feline Leukemia

Feline Leukemia is a serious disease that occurs in cats. It is very difficult to watch your cat succumb to this terrible disease? While this is a very real threat, it is important to know that it is one you can treat. Arm yourself with information and take the steps to see that your pets are protected.

Feline Leukemia is actually a virus, not a cancer. It is in the retrovirus family and is more closely related to FIV and HIV than it is any form of Leukemia. The virus works by attacking the immune system of its host. Therefore, your pet becomes susceptible to a variety of diseases that would not other wise be a problem. One of the first diseases associated with the virus was a form of Leukemia. By the time the mistake was sorted out, the name had already stuck.

Feline Leukemia is spread through bodily fluids. This means every thing from saliva and tears to urine and feces. Cats most commonly contract the disease through their habit of grooming one another. It is also possible for kittens to become infected by their mothers. This can happen either before birth or while the infant is nursing. Outdoor cats are at a higher risk for feline leukemia. Also, this disease can only survive in felines. This means that your cat is the only one affected by this disease. Other pets and family members are not at risk.

Signs and symptoms of Feline Leukemia can include depression, increased drinking and urination, sudden weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, constipation, and respiratory distress. If your cat starts to exhibit some or all of these symptoms it is a good idea to call the vet. Whether or not it turns out to be Feline Leukemia you vet is going to want to take a look.

There is a simple blood test to tell you whether or not your pet is infected and has feline leukemia. If the test comes back positive then you will need to test again in about 12 weeks. Some cats are able to fight of the infection on their own. If this is the case then your re-test will be negative. However, if the second test is positive as well, then your cat has Feline Leukemia. Once this is confirmed you and your doctor will decide on a course of treatment of feline leukemia. But you must always treat the animal as if they were contagious. This includes isolating them from any other cats, and changing all food and water bowls as well as setting up a new litter box.
In addition to conventional treatments of feline leukemia(which are often effective although extremely harsh) there are a number of alternative treatments of feline leukemia which have proved extremely helpful in treating cancer in pets, including acupuncture, aromatherapy and homeopathy. The natural and alternative treatment of feline leukemia has become increasingly popular.
If your cat should succumb to Feline Leukemia, you need to wait about a month before bringing in a new cat. You also need to buy new food and water dishes and a new litter box. The chances of your new pet contracting the disease from these items are very slim, but it is better to be safe.

Feline Leukemia is a horrible disease for both the owner and the pet. As a part of prevention have your cats vaccinated at a young age. Studies show that kittens under 4 months of age are much more susceptible to the virus than older cats. So keep those babies inside until they have time to grow up a bit. You can virtually eliminate your cats risk of infection by taking the above steps.

By: debbra sirmans

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Causes Of Leukemia

2008-12-09T18:26:00.000-08:00

Causes Of Leukemia

Leukemia causes are still unknown. In present, medical science isn’t able to establish the specific leukemia causes. However, a strong connection between certain genetic factors and the development of the disease has been revealed. Leukemia occurs on the background of genetic failure that causes the excessive production of incomplete, partially matured blood cells. Also, leukemia has a hereditary character, allowing the transmission of genetic predispositions to disease from one generation to another. Although many factors are known to contribute to the development of leukemia, they alone can’t be considered leukemia causes.

The cause of acute leukemia is unknown. The only thing that one can say for certain is that some people are at a higher risk of getting the disease than others. People who are exposed to radiations or certain chemicals have the highest chance of contracting the disease. In addition, there is the hereditary factor. It has been seen that children receive the defective gene from their mother and this gene may lead to acute leukemia. People who have leukemia tend to bruise easily or bleed easily from the nose and gums. In addition to weak immune system, there is a general feeling of fatigue and unexplained weight loss. The disease by itself does not have any specific symptoms.

In normal condition, these stem cells develop either into red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets, into a controlled way. Leukemia perturbs the normal development of blood cells and causes the accumulation of partially developed cells, that aren’t able to fulfill their role inside the organism. Judging by the speed of development and the persistence of the disorder, there are two types of leukemia: acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia differs from chronic leukemia by the levels that stem cells are able to reach in their development (stem cells that present anomalies still manage to partially develop and either resemble immature cells or complete, normal white blood cells).

Leukemia is a bone marrow disorder that arises when one abnormal white blood cell begins to continuously replicate itself. Leukemia, which literally means "white blood" in Greek, occurs when there is an excess of abnormal white blood cells in the blood. The disease usually starts in the white blood cells. The blood-forming (hematopoietic) cells of the bone marrow make leukocytes to defend the body against infectious organisms, such as viruses and bacteria. If the cells reach the central nervous system and build up in the cerebrospinal fluid that support s the brain and spinal column, they can cause headaches and seizures.

Chances of survival are better with the combination of ATRA and hemotherapy than chemotherapy alone. This is because ATRA combined with chemotherapy accounts for a slightly higher rate of complete remissions while allowing significantly fewer relapses. Maintenance cure with ATRA, and possibly with low-dose chemotherapy, further reduces the occurrence of relapse. The advent of ATRA therapy has revolutionized the treatment of promyelocytic leukemia and clearly enhanced the prognosis.

A certain cause of Leukemia is not yet known as it can affect persons of all ages and both sexes. A link however between leukemia and benzene prolonged exposure or high doses of radiations could be established. But most cases cannot be rationally explained. The main target of the Leukemia treatment is to annihilate all existing abnormal cells in blood and bone marrow. A complete remission means no left trace of cancerous modifications. Some of the treated cases show a reoccurrence of the disease with other signs and symptoms.

By: greenherbal

Information About Leukemia

2008-12-09T18:21:00.000-08:00

Information About Leukemia

Leukemia is a disease that is considered to be life-threatening. It requires prompt intervention when discovered, in order to maximize the chances of recovering through specific treatment and therapy. Leukemia is basically a type of cancer of the bone marrow and blood, caused by inappropriate cellular activity. The disease can be of different forms, according to the types of blood cells that cause its development. Also, if leukemia is developing rapidly, it is called acute leukemia, while if the disease is developing slowly, it is referred to as chronic leukemia.

Leukemia is cancer that starts in the blood-forming tissue of the body, like the bone marrow. This year, it is estimated that there will be another 44,270 cases of leukemia diagnosed and about 21,700 deaths caused by it. That's too many. One is too many, but these figures are way, way down from what they were only a few years ago. There was a time when a diagnosis of leukemia was a certain death sentence; but that is no longer the case, and the numbers are improving every year. The bone marrow in people who have the disease produces abnormal white blood cells. In the beginning, they function and behave almost normally, but eventually they start to crowd out normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Studies indicate that leukemia is not inherited nor is it contagious. Several factors are suspected, although scientists have been unable to pinpoint the exact cause. No specific sets of preventions are available for leukemia. However, on analyzing the factors that generally cause leukemia a rough and general idea on the prevention of the disease can be made. Amongst newborn babies breast milk has shown properties that help in preventing occurrences of leukemia. Statistics have shown that mothers who breast-feed their babies for even one month lower their risk of leukemia by 20%. The factors that cause leukemia are numerous. Continuous exposure to high-level x-ray radiation increases susceptibility for leukemia development.

Leukemia is a dangerous form of cancer, and it affects thousands of people every year. It affects the white blood cells. The body loses control of the quantity and quality of blood cells, and it becomes very vulnerable because the white blood cells are supposed to protect our organism against infections. There are two main types of leukemia - acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia is more dangerous because it spreads much faster, but chronic leukemia can be tricky because it has almost no symptoms. The first organ that is affected by chronic leukemia is the bone marrow. The bone marrow is a tissue that can be found on some of the main bones in the body and that has the role of producing blood cells (red blood cells and white blood cells).

Leukemia severely affects a person's immune system; the disease is characterized by low levels of leukocytes of white blood cells, which play an important role in the body's defenses against disease. This disease can lead to other complications such as infections. However, for people who already have compromised immune systems, such as children and the elderly, developing leukemia can have some severe effects and complications. For children, the effects of leukemia can be very pronounced because battling the disease can take a toll on their fragile bodies.

By: greenherbal

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Leukemia Causes And Risk Factors

2008-12-09T18:19:00.000-08:00

Leukemia is a disease that is considered to be life-threatening. It requires prompt intervention when discovered, in order to maximize the chances of recovering through specific treatment and therapy. Leukemia is basically a type of cancer of the bone marrow and blood, caused by inappropriate cellular activity.

The disease can be of different forms, according to the types of blood cells that cause its development. Also, if leukemia is developing rapidly, it is called acute leukemia, while if the disease is developing slowly, it is referred to as chronic leukemia.

The direct leukemia causes are still unknown. In present, medical science isn’t able to establish the specific leukemia causes. However, a strong connection between certain genetic factors and the development of the disease has been revealed. Leukemia occurs on the background of genetic failure that causes the excessive production of incomplete, partially matured blood cells.

Also, leukemia has a hereditary character, allowing the transmission of genetic predispositions to disease from one generation to another. Although many factors are known to contribute to the development of leukemia, they alone can’t be considered leukemia causes.

Basic types of leukemia:
1. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: It is responsible for about 7,000 new cases of leukemia each year. People diagnosed with the disease are usually over the age 55, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia almost never affects children.
2. Chronic myeloid leukemia: It is responsible for about 4,400 new cases each year. Adults are most often diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.
3. Acute lymphocytic leukemia: It is responsible for about 3,800 new cases each year. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in young children, but it can also affect adults.

Promyelocytic Leukemia
Promyelocytic Leukemia a growth of the bone marrow in which there is a deficit of mature blood cells in the myeloid line of cells and a surplus of immature cells called promyelocytes. Promyelocytic leukemia is due to a translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17 which is symbolized t(15;17). This translocation is not a mere indicator of promyelocytic leukemia but the main cause. Promyelocytic leukemia generally comes under the acute form leukemia. It is also termed as acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
In 1957, promyelocytic leukemia was first accepted as an individual disease entity. It accounts for 5-10% of cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The peak incidence of promyelocytic leukemia is amongst young adults. Promyelocytic leukemia is thought of as a type of AML and is classified as the M3 variant of AML.

Leukemia Symptoms
Leukemia symptoms may vary depending on the type of leukemia. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- pale skin
- tiredness
- mild fever
- bruises
- shortness of breath
- thrombocytopenia
- petechiae
- bone pain
- enlarged spleen
- enlarged liver
- enlarged lymph nodes
- headache
- vomiting
- recurring infections
- Some of these leukemia symptoms also mimic those of less severe illnesses but it is always best to be checked by your doctor to determine the cause of symptoms.

By: "Rich jammes"

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