Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the body’s blood-forming tissues, such as bone marrow and the lymph system. It primarily affects white blood cells, which are typically responsible for helping the body fight infections. There are several forms of leukemia. Some kinds are more prevalent in youngsters, while others primarily affect adults.
ILS hospitals offer personalized treatment options for leukemia, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant. Our multidisciplinary team of hematologists, oncologists, and specialists works together to develop a treatment plan based on the type and stage of leukemia. Advanced diagnostic tools and techniques, including bone marrow biopsy and genetic testing, ensure accurate diagnosis and proper follow-up. We provide comprehensive care to leukemia patients, with an emphasis on improving outcomes and quality of life throughout the treatment process.
Common Types of Leukemia
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): Most common in children, but can also affect adults.
- Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML): The most prevalent acute leukemia in adults is Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), which can affect both children and adults.
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Adults with CLL often have this slow-growing leukemia, which occasionally goes years without treatment.
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML): CML primarily affects adults and can be asymptomatic for years before becoming aggressive.
Symptoms
The symptoms of leukemia vary according to the type, but common signs include:
- Fever
- Persistent fatigue or weakness
- Infections that happen frequently or are severe
- Unintentional weight loss.
- Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver, or spleen
- Easy bruising or bleeding.
- Recurrent nosebleeds.
- Small red spots on the skin (petechiae)
- Excessive night sweats
- Bone pain or tenderness.
Causes and Development
The actual cause of leukemia is unknown; however, it is most likely a combination of hereditary or genetic and environmental factors.
Risk Factors
Various factors may enhance the risk of developing leukemia:
- Previous cancer treatment: The chemotherapy or radiation therapy for other cancers may increase the risk of developing leukemia.
- Genetic disorders: The high risk of leukemia is associated with conditions such as Down syndrome.
- Chemical exposure: Benzene, a component found in gasoline, increases the danger of exposure.
- Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
- Family history: Having relatives with leukemia may slightly increase the risk.
Diagnosis
Leukemia can be detected with routine blood tests before symptoms appear. If leukemia is suspected, doctors may run the following tests:
- Physical examination: Look for symptoms such as pale skin (anemia), swollen lymph nodes, and an enlarged liver or spleen.
- Blood tests: Check the counts of white and red blood cells and platelets; abnormal levels may indicate leukemia.
- Bone marrow test: A thin needle is used to extract a sample from the hip bone, which is then examined in a laboratory for leukemia cells.
Additional specialized tests can help determine the type of leukemia and guide treatment decisions.
Treatment Options
Leukemia treatment is regulated by the type, patient age, overall health, and disease progression. Common treatments include:
- Chemotherapy: It is the primary treatment for all kinds of leukemia. It involves providing medications that destroy leukemia cells. Depending on the situation, a single drug or a combination of medicines may be administered intravenously.
- Targeted Therapy: This treatment focuses on specific genetic mutations in leukemia cells. By preventing these aberrations, targeted therapy slows the progression of cancer. Doctors may test leukemia cells to determine if this treatment is suitable.
- Radiation Therapy: It uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays, to kill leukemia cells. It can be applied to a specific body part or the entire body, and it is occasionally used before a bone marrow transplant.
- Bone Marrow (Stem Cell) Transplant: This procedure replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells, either from the patient or a donor. Before the transplant, high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy is used to eliminate leukemia-producing bone marrow.
- Immunotherapy: It aids the immune system in identifying and attacking leukemia cells. Some leukemia cells develop proteins that hide them from immune cells; immunotherapy works by inhibiting this process.
- CAR-T Cell Therapy: This advanced treatment reprograms a patient’s T-cells to recognize and target leukemia cells. This therapy is an option in some circumstances, especially among individuals who have not responded to conventional treatments.
