Leukemia
Leukemia, commonly known as blood cancer, is a form of cancer affecting the blood cells produced in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is located in the centre of the bones, where red and white blood cells and platelets are made. Leukemia occurs when bone marrow cells multiply abnormally. This causes the overproduction of immature cells, which prevents the normal blood cells from performing their usual functions.
There are 4 different types of leukemia. They are grouped according to how quickly they progress and the type of cell affected. When it comes to chronic leukemia, disease progression is slow and there may be no symptoms: it is often discovered during a routine examination. As for acute leukemia, symptoms develop very suddenly and resemble flu-like symptoms that persist and can worsen.
The 4 types of leukemia:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Chronic myeloid leukemia
Symptoms vary depending on the specific type of leukemia and the cells affected. Here are some symptoms to watch for:
- Head or throat pain
- Bone or joint pain
- Fever
- Frequent infections
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fatigue
- General discomfort
- Paleness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unusual bleeding and unexplained bruising
- Night sweats
- Vomiting
Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. You should, however, see your health care provider.
Causes and triggers
The cause of leukemia is often unknown. However, certain factors may increase the risk of developing it, and these factors can vary depending on the type of leukemia. Here are some examples:
- Advanced age
- Being male
- Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Exposure to certain chemical substances
- Smoking
- Family history
- Certain genetic disorders (Down syndrome, patients who are Philadelphia chromosome-positive, etc.)
Treatment
Treatment varies based on the type of leukemia and several other factors. It may consist of one or several of the following treatments:
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Stem cell transplant
- Surgery
Unfortunately, nothing specific can be done to prevent leukemia. However, living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce one's risk of developing cancer:
- Eat healthy
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco
- Exercise regularly (ideally 30 minutes a day)
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid the use of pesticides and hazardous products at home and in the workplace
When should I see a health care professional?
Consult your health care provider in the following cases:
- You feel very tired or weak
- You tend to bleed or bruise easily
- You develop infections more often than usual