LEUKEMIA

Leukemia is cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and lymph system. This cancer causes the formation of large amount of abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal white blood cells reach high concentrations in the bone marrow, lymph system, and bloodstream, and their accumulation can interfere with functions of the vital organs. Eventually, they overwhelm the production of healthy blood cells, including white and red blood cells and platelets. In addition to the overabundance of abnormal white blood cells, there is an insufficient number of healthy ones. Therefore, the body’s ability to fight infections is decreased. The deficiency in red blood cells means that the body’s organs do not receive enough oxygen, the shortage of platelets makes the blood clotting process less effective, leaving the body more vulnerable to bleeding and bruising. Because of all these effects, leukemia is fatal without successful treatment.

The causes of leukemia are not known. Researchers have proposed that certain chemicals and viruses might play a role. Susceptibility to leukemia may be inherited. The ailment runs in some families, and people with certain congenital disorders, including Down syndrome, are at higher risk of developing it.

The most common signs and symptoms of leukemia are fatigue, bone pain, fever, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, bleeding, bruising, paleness, and headaches. In many cases they are absent. These cases are detected when routine blood tests give abnormal results.

Treatment of leukemia generally is simple chemotherapy. High-dose chemotherapy, along with bone marrow transplantation, sometimes is used. Therapy with antibiotics can help to prevent or can treat the bacterial infections that are frequent complications. Corticosteroid drugs also may be used with chemotherapy. The radiation therapy to the central nervous system also may be recommended. It has been designed to kill the cancer cells that may linger in the patient’s central nervous system beyond the reach of medications given orally or intravenously.