Leukemia is derived from Greek, which means “white blood” occurs when there is an excess of abnormal white blood cells in the blood. The disease usually starts in the white blood cells. The blood-forming (hematopoietic) cells of the bone marrow make leukocytes to defend the body against infectious organisms, such as viruses and bacteria. If the cells reach the central nervous system and build up in the cerebrospinal fluid that support s the brain and spinal column, they can cause headaches and seizures.
| Lymphocytes, which are found in both the blood stream and the lymphatic system, coordinate the immune response and produce antibodies. If untreated, the surplus leukemic cells overwhelm the bone marrow, enter the bloodstream, and eventually invade other parts of the body, such as the | |
| lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and central nervous system (brain, spinal cord). In this way, the behavior of leukemia is different than that of other cancers, which usually begin in major organs and ultimately spread to the bone marrow. | |
The causes of leukemia is still unknown, but there are symptoms of leukemia including:
- Fever , chills, and other flu-like symptoms.
- Neurological symptoms ( headache ).
- Night sweats
- Swollen or bleeding gums.
- Loss of appetite and/or weight.
- Enlarged liver and spleen.
- Weakness and fatigue.
- Frequent infections.
- Bone pain or tenderness.
Shortness of breath when you’re physically active, as while climbing steps.
The treatments of leukemia can be taken by medicines to kill the abnormal cells. Chemotherapy can be taken by mouth, by shots, or given into a vein (intravenously). Surgery also needed to remove an enlarged spleen or to install a venous acces device to give medication and withdraw blood samples. To kill the abnormal cells can be taken a high-energy x rays.
After radiation and chemotherapy kills the abnormal bone marrow, healthy bone marrow from a healthy donor is given to a patient through a vein. The healthy bone marrow goes to the patient’s bones and makes healthy blood cells. Most children with leukemia will not need a bone marrow transplant.
Some people with leukemia choose to enroll in clinical trials to try out experimental treatments or new combinations of known therapies.
