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Leukemia

Description

It is a cancer of the body’s blood-producing tissues with bone marrow & lymphatic system. There exist many different types of leukemia. This cancer involves white blood cells (WBCs). WBCs are generally involved in fighting against infections. But if a person has leukemia, then bone marrow generates abnormal WBCs which don’t function properly and body is unable to fight against infections. Its symptoms include bleeding, bruising, fever, fatigue & increased risk of infections.

The major types of leukemia may include ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia), AML (acute myelogenous leukemia), CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), CML (chronic myelogenous leukemia) and some other rare types. Genetic factors & environmental factors play a role in the risks of getting leukemia. Its diagnosis is mostly done by blood tests & bone marrow biopsy. Its treatment can be complex depending upon type of leukemia, & other factors. There are certain strategies & resources that help in successful treatment.

Causes

Its causes are unclear. Scientists believe that genetics together with environmental factors have to do with its development.

Risk factors

The cause of leukemia is unknown but there are certain risk factors that can initiate the development of leukemia. They are:

Factors that can be prevented:         

  • Exposure to chemicals like benzene that can be found in car repair shops, coal mines, petroleum industries.
  • Smoking

Factors that cannot be prevented:

  • Hereditary ( people with family history of leukemia are at a higher risk of acquiring it)
  • Genetic syndrome (e.g. Down’s syndrome)
  • Previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy (because however chemo and radiotherapy kill cancerous cells they may also affect healthy cells)
Symptoms

Leukemia patients may present with following signs and symptoms:

  • Pin head sized red spots on skin
  • Lethargy
  • Elevated temperature of the body
  • Discomfort in lower body
  • Susceptible to infections
  • Loss of appetite that eventually causes weight loss
  • Gingivitis (bleeding and swollen gums)
Diagnosis

To diagnose leukemia taking family history, medical history is very essential to evaluate how much the patient is at risk along with clinical examination. Further a CBC (complete blood count test) is advised to assure leukemia is present. Once CBC test reports positive, biopsy of the patient’s bone marrow is done to identify the type of leukemia.

Management

Its treatment & management depends upon many factors. Its common treatments include:

  • Chemotherapy is a major form of treatment. It uses medications to kill leukemia cells
  • Targeted therapy is the one which focuses on specific abnormality in cancer cells & spares other normal cells
  • Radiation therapy which uses X-rays & high energy beams to destroy leukemia cells
  • Bone marrow transplant it replaces unhealthy bone marrow & establishes healthy stem cells.
  • Immunotherapy uses body’s immune system to fight against cancer
  • Engineering immune cells takes body’s germ-fighting T cell & engineers it to fight against cancer
When to consult a doctor?

The doctor should be consulted if you experience:

  • Paleness
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Swollen gums
  • Enlarged liver or spleen
  • Significant bruising
  • Bleeding
  • Fever
  • Persistent infections
  • Fatigue (feeling of tiredness or laziness)
  • Small pinpoint rash

Available Medicine for Leukemia

Zavedos 10mg

Rs.9354.8

Pfizer

Zavedos 5mg

Rs.5033.6

Pfizer

Mercaprine 50mg

Rs.247.2

Pharmadic

Purinetone 50mg

Rs.350

Al-Habib

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