Leukemia is cancerous disease that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the blood-stream (National Cancer Institute, 2008, para. 1). It is one of many complicated cancer diseases that affect all ages and have very negative outcomes if not treated properly, and on time. Within the disease are several different types that affect according to how quickly the disease develops and attacks the body. It could be classified as chronic leukemia, which has a slow progress of getting worse or acute leukemia which usually gets worse quickly. The types of leukemia also can be grouped based on the white blood cell that is affected (National Cancer Institute , 2008, p. 1). The disease could either start forming in lymphoid cells or myeloid cells. When the disease forms in lymphoid cells it is called lymphoid, lymphocytic or lymphoblastic leukemia. The disease affected by the myeloid cells is called myeloid, myelogenous or myeloblastic leukemia. Four common types of leukemia exist affecting different people of all ages. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a disease that usually grows slowly in the body and affects lymphoid cells. It accounts for 15,000 new cases each year, and affects mainly people over the age of 55, rarely affecting children. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) on the other hand affects myeloid cells and tends to develop slowly at first. As well as CLL, it mainly affects adults, and is a disease that is accounted for nearly 5,000 new cases each year. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) affects myeloid cells, just as CML disease. This type of disease grows quickly and occurs in both children and adults, with 13,000 cases each year. Acute Lymphocytic (lym... ... middle of paper ... ... improvement has occurred within the years to better the health of patients with leukemia. In the 1960’s less than 5% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia survives for more than five years after treatment and therapy. Now a day, 85% of children with the disease live for more than five years (National Center Institute 2008 p. 3). References National Cancer Institute. (2002). Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/all3 National Cancer Institute. (2008). Leukemia. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/leukemia National Cancer Institute. (2008). Treatment. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/leukemia/page7 National Cancer Institute. (2008). What you need to know about Leukemia- Types of Leukemia. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/leukemia/page3
"What Is Hospice (About Hospice)." Home (Hospice Foundation of America). Web. 31 Jan. 2011. .
Leukemia is another type of cancer it is a malignant progressive disease. Some symptoms of leukemia is people weight loss, frequent infections, and easy bleeding or bruising. Also chills, dizziness, fatigue, fever, nausea, night sweats, weakness, or sweating are also side effect or symptoms of leukemia. Most people have to shave their hair of and some people fight the cancer and win. Leukemia involves abnormal white blood cells these cells responsible for fighting infection. The abnormal cell in leukemia does not function in the same way as normal white blood cells do. The leukemia cells continue to grow and divide, eventually crowding out the normal blood cells. There is over 50,000 cases of leukemia occur yearly in the U.S.
AML is the most common form of acute leukemia among adults and accounts for the largest number of annual deaths from leukemias in the United States with an estimated 18,860 new cases and 10,460 deaths anticipated in 2014 (Cancer Facts & Figures 2014). In the Indian scenario, even though there are not many published data in AML incidence and prevalence, it is noted that the median age diagnosis of AML is much lower when compared to the western population. The median age in Indian population is between 41-45 years (Phillip et al, Unpublished data, CMC, Vellore, Dunna, Rajappa et al. 2010, Abraham, Varatharajan et al. 2012)
The 5-year survival rate for children with ALL is more than 85%, children with AML have a 5-year survival rate of 60% to 70%. Reported rates for children with JMML are 50%. 5-year survival rates in children with CML aren’t very helpful because some live for a long time without the leukemia being cured, but the reported rates are 60% to 80%. Rates may be higher now with new medicines but they haven’t been used long enough to be sure.
“The word 'leukemia' is a very frightening word. In many instances, it's a killer and it's something that you have to deal with in a very serious and determined way if you're going to beat it” - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Many people, including tons of children, fight leukemia every day trying to beat this vicious cancer. Without knowing how leukemia is exactly caused, it puts a damper on how to avoid it.
Leukemia like any other cancer is devastating especially when it affects children and especially when they are too young to understand most of what is happening to their bodies. Facts like these are what should be used to motivate researchers and caregivers to help to make the process of treatment and care for patient dealing with disease one that is pleasant and supportive. The research should be taken seriously and it is hoped that in the future a cure can be found and the cause of the disease can be explained. It is also hoped that achievements like those can give families who are coping with disease or who have lost loved ones to the disease can find closure and solace in knowing that other may not have to go through what they have.
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML): Is a cancer of the bone marrow and the blood that will progress quickly without treatment. This type of leukemia affects mainly the cells that aren’t fully developed. Therefore, making the cells not carry out their normal functions. With this type of dysfunctional activity in the cells at an early stage, this why it is very important to get care and treatment as soon as possible.
When people hear the word cancer, they automatically think death. Worldwide cancer is the leading cause of death. Cancer is also the second leading cause of death in the United States. One out of every four deaths in the United States is due to cancer. In the year 2012 1.9 million deaths were caused by lung cancer, 745,000 deaths were caused by liver cancer, 723,000 deaths were caused by stomach cancer, 694,000 deaths were caused by colorectal cancer, 521,000 deaths were caused by breast cancer, and 400,000 deaths were caused by esophageal cancer. These cancers are also the main types of cancers.
Government funding has proven to be essential and effective in the fight against cancer. On December 23, 1971 President Nixon signed the National Cancer Act, which promised to finance the quest for the cure. Financial aid such as this has directly benefitted survival rates for those diagnosed with cancer. Forty years ago before such funding was provided, when a child was diagnosed with cancer most physicians considered the patient to be terminally ill and supportive care was almost the only thing offered to the family. However over the last few decades, due to research and participation in clinical trials performed due to funding, the majority of children are cured. Because of the creations of new drugs and therapies as a result of government aid, the survival rat...
Blood cancer is a life-threatening disease that includes: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma (American Society of Hematology). Leukemia is classified into myeloid and lymphoid leukemia. Each type has acute and chronic phases. Leukemia reduces the ability of white blood cells (WBCs) to fight infection (American Society of Hematology). In addition, leukemia limits the bone marrow’s ability to produce red blood cells (RBCs) (American Society of Hematology). It is one of the most common cancers in the world and can be treated by chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
No matter who it happens to, any type of cancer is heart-breaking. However, one’s heart seems to crack a little bit deeper when you hear a child has been diagnosed. Several forms of cancer can arise during childhood. The most common is acute lymphoblastic/lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). In fact, it is so common between the ages 0-14, that people refer to it as childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Kanwar, 2013). .
(2013, 04). What are the types of genetic tests?. Your Guide to Understanding Genetic Conditions. Retrieved 04, 2014, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/uses
A child with leukemia will not have the same physical development as a healthy child. Around the ages from 6-8, children begin to slowly gain height and weight. The child with leukemia may grow slower and most likely lose weight, instead of gaining it. Another milestone children at that age go through is self-conscious emotions. The child may feel self-conscious because they look and live very differently from their peers. This may cause them to feel emotionally upset. Peers who are unaware of their diseases my tease and bully the child, which causes them emotional
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia(CLL)is a common adult leukaemia that results from proliferation of neoplastic B- lymphocyte clones. The disease is most frequent in patients over the age of 60 and has a variable clinical course. A variety of genetic aberrations can drive the leukaemia and also initiate the transformation into high grade malignancy.
University of Maryland Medical Center. (2013, December 18). What is a Pediatrician?. Retrieved September 12, 2014, from http://umm.edu/programs/childrens/health/about/what-is-a-pediatrician