What is Leukemia – The Causes and Treatment of Blood Cancer
July 27, 2010 by admin
Filed under General Health
Man has not been able to establish the precise cause of cancer and remained unsuccessful in nipping it even though last some years have seen rapid advancement of technology. One of the most dreaded diseases, cancer claims numerous lives each year. Cancer cells, according to experts, come to life due to excessive and unbalanced lifestyle.
One can stop cancer and can get it treated if it is detected in early stage though the treatment varies from one cancer to other since there are different kinds and types of cancer; leukemia is one of them-it’s a cancer of white blood cells which occurs as a result of a large number of immature white blood cells (found in the blood system) produced by the bone marrow raising them to an abnormal number. It is also called blood cancer.
When affected with this fatal ailment, adults and children have minimal chances of survival. Leukemia is derived from the Greek word ‘leukos’ and ‘heima’ meaning surplus white blood cells in the blood. Normally old blood cells die and they are replaced with the new ones but as far as leukemia is concerned, old cells don’t die and new cells being produced continuously add to the number of blood cells and cause blood cancer.
An individual with leukemia develops a weak immune system that makes it difficult for the body to fight infections. The blood can’t carry out its function with the white blood cells overcrowding other blood cells in the body. The 4 major types of leukemia include chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia. Though people suffering from any of these types of leukemia have a slim chance of survival, it can be treated if its symptoms are identified early which are as under;
- A person might suffer from a reoccurring fever which doesn’t go even with medication.
- There are frequent incidences of tuberculosis and candidiasis due to the body’s weak immunity ensuing from the presence of white blood cells.
- The presence of miniscule red spot mostly seen in the oral cavity or on the skin because of the destruction of the red blood cells is another early sign of leukemia. In children these symptoms manifest in paleness, fatigue, bone and joint pain, weakness and inability to take part in rigorous activities, shortness of breath and unexplained swellings.
- Some other symptoms of leukemia are excessive sweating, loss of libido, nausea, kidney problem and skin rashes.
The Cure for Leukemia
Though chemotherapy, radiation therapy, aminopterin and 6-mercaptopurinare have been used to treat blood cancer but they are, of late, have been replaced with genetic analysis and bone marrow transplant-these are considered the most the most effective means to curb the threat of blood cancer or leukemia. Noticing any changes in the system and going immediately for a blood test help you to get the disease detected earlier and treated it on time.
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