Leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming tissues, usually the bone marrow. It causes the body to overproduce abnormal white blood cells that don’t work correctly and eventually "crowd out" healthy red blood cells, normal white blood cells, and platelets.
When You Should Consider Leukemia Evaluation
Constant fatigue, weakness, and pale skin (Anemia).
Frequent fevers, chills, or mouth sores (Infections).
Easy bruising, nosebleeds, or tiny red spots on the skin called petechiae.
Painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.
An enlarged liver or spleen causing a feeling of abdominal fullness.
Methods of Leukemia Classification
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Progresses rapidly; most common in children but also affects adults.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Involves rapid growth of myeloid cells in both adults and children.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Most common in older adults; progresses slowly and may not require immediate treatment.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Primarily affects adults and is often linked to the Philadelphia chromosome mutation.
How Leukemia Is Managed
Chemotherapy: The primary treatment using powerful drugs to kill cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy: Drugs that attack specific vulnerabilities in cancer cells, often used for CML.
Immunotherapy: Treatments designed to help the immune system recognize and attack leukemia cells.
Stem Cell Transplant: Replacing diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a donor.
CAR T-cell Therapy: Re-engineering a patient's own T-cells to identify and fight the cancer.
Pre-Procedure Preparation
Discussing the specific type and stage of leukemia with an oncology team.
Undergoing a physical exam to check for swelling in the lymph nodes, spleen, or liver.
Preparing for potential hospital stays if intensive chemotherapy or transplants are required.
Evaluating donor matches if a stem cell transplant is part of the treatment plan.
Tests Before Leukemia Treatment
Complete Blood Count (CBC): To check for abnormal levels of white cells, red cells, and platelets.
Bone Marrow Biopsy: Taking a marrow sample from the hip bone for microscopic and genetic testing.
Lumbar Puncture: Checking spinal fluid to see if the cancer has reached the central nervous system.
Genetic Testing: Identifying specific mutations to determine the best targeted therapies.
Life After Leukemia Treatment
Long-term survival rates have improved to over 65% for all types combined.
Children with ALL now see a cure rate of over 90%.
Regular follow-up appointments are required to monitor for remission or recurrence.
Ongoing management of potential side effects from intensive therapies like radiation or chemo.
Benefits of Leukemia Treatment
Eradicates or controls the production of abnormal "blast" cells.
Restores the body's ability to produce healthy red cells, white cells, and platelets.
Reduces the risk of life-threatening infections and severe bleeding episodes.
Significantly increases the 5-year survival rate compared to historical outcomes.