Definition:
Leukemia is a type of cancer affecting the blood or bone marrow. It induces an abnormal production of white blood cells which in hinders the proper functioning of red blood cells.
Diagnosis:
The disease is diagnosed by various blood tests, and persons with the disease usually have very low platelet and hemoglobin counts, as well as abnormally high white blood cell count.
Treatment:
Leukemia, whatever type it is, is generally treated by induction chemotherapy. This is the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs to kill the cancer cells in the bone marrow. CNS prophylaxis meanwhile is a preventive therapy that keeps the cancer from spreading into the nervous system. Patients also take maintenance drugs during recovery stage.
Symptoms and Signs:
Among the symptoms of leukemia are high amounts of white blood cells, and low platelet count. Physical signs include frequent bruising, excessive bleeding, and the development of pinprick bleeds.
Other signs of leukemia include: fever, chills and night sweats, lethargy, loss of appetite, enlarged liver, bone and joint pains, swollen tonsils and paleness.
Causes:
There is no specific cause of leukemia, but studies show that leukemia can be a result of ionizing radiation, exposure to some harmful chemicals, genetic predespositions and certain viruses.
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