Date : 03-05-2018
Cancer of the blood cells is termed as leukemia. Blood cells include mainly three categories which are red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cell(WBCs) and platelets. Leukemia is associated with WBCs. So, what's the role of WBCs?
WBCs constitute an important part of the body's immune system. They protect the body from bacteria, virus and other foreign body invasions. But in the case of leukemia, WBCs function abnormally where they divide too quickly at bone marrow and immature cells are released to the blood in larger numbers than the normal numbers, that are incapable doing the protective function of the normal cells.
Though the exact causes of leukemia are not known to the present medical world, they listed out some risk factors which may play some role:
If there is a family history of leukemia
Smoking increases the chances for your body to succumb to acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Some genetic disorders like Down syndrome
Exposure to certain chemicals like benzene
Blood disorders like, a myelodysplastic syndrome which is also termed as preleukemia.
Overexposure to radiation
Chemotherapy and radiation which was a part of previous cancer treatment
Our DSDA treatment offers an entirely new understanding on the causes of blood cancer which will be explained to the patient and family during our treatment process
The onset of leukemia can be acute or chronic. While acute leukemia refers to the sudden onset of it chronic refers to the gradual onset. Acute leukemia shows a quick sudden increase in cancer cells whereas it’s a slow progress showing mild early symptoms in chronic leukemia.
Leukemia is categorized into 4 types according to cell types:
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
This kind of leukemia involves myeloid cells. AML can occur in children and adults. According to the studies conducted, this is the most common form of leukemia. The survival rate for AML is approximately 26.9 percent.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
Chronic leukemia involving myeloid cells and it affects adults mostly. The survival rate is 66.9percent.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
CLL is a chronic type of leukemia which involves lymphocytes which are mostly seen in people who have crossed the age of 55 and it is rarely seen in children. The survival rate is 83.2 percent.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
This type of leukemia involves lymphocytes and is mostly seen in children. The survival rate is observed as 68.2percent.
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