Leukemia: Understanding causes, treatments, and early symptoms
Leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, is a serious yet treatable condition. This disease causes the uncontrollable growth and division of blood cells, disrupting the normal production of white blood cells.
There are several types of leukemia, including acute and chronic, lymphocytic and myelogenous, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and a rare type called hairy cell leukemia.
While leukemia can occur at any age, it is more common in older adults, particularly those over 60. However, it is also the most common cancer in children under 15 years of age. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), for instance, is the most common type in children, primarily affecting those under the age of 10.
The symptoms of leukemia can be subtle and may resemble those of other conditions. They include easy bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, anemia, fatigue, weakness, tiredness, shortness of breath, a rapid heartbeat, body aches, and pallor. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice, as a doctor will carry out tests to identify the cause.
The causes of leukemia are not fully understood, but genetic factors and exposure to toxins, such as pesticides, may play a role. Certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome and Li-Fraumeni syndrome, can increase the risk, as can having a family history of leukemia. High doses of ionizing radiation, such as exposure to x-rays before birth or previous cancer treatments involving radiation, are also known risk factors.
Treatment for leukemia depends on the type, the person's age, and their overall health. Options may include watchful waiting, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplants, surgery to remove the spleen, and stem cell transplant with chemotherapy. Treatment that starts early is more likely to be effective, and the survival rates for leukemia have significantly improved in recent decades.
In the United States, it is estimated that 65,150 people will receive a diagnosis of leukemia in 2024. While there are no natural home remedies for leukemia, medical progress means a person is more likely to survive with leukemia than in the past. Without treatment, leukemia can be fatal, but with proper care, many people can live for years with the disease.
[1] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Leukemia in Children.
- Ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, shares some symptoms with leukemia, such as fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
- Atopic dermatitis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic disorders that can sometimes be mistaken for leukemia due to shared symptoms like joint pain and inflammation.
- Medical-conditions like other leukemias, such as chronic myeloid leukemia, and certain types of cancer, like colitis and Crohn's disease, can exhibit symptoms that mirror leukemia.
- Depression, a common mental health issue, might affect individuals diagnosed with leukemia, adding an additional health-and-wellness challenge to their cancer journey.
- The predictive science of medicine has come a long way, allowing for early detection and identification of medical-conditions like leukemia, which improves survival rates.
- The disease spectrum of leukemia is vast, encompassing acute and chronic, lymphocytic and myelogenous, and rare forms like hairy cell leukemia.
- While scientists are making progress in understanding and treating leukemia, there remains much mystery surrounding the causes of this blood disease, with contributing factors possibly including genetics, exposure to toxins, and family history.
- Recent advances in medical-conditions research, such as leukemia, have led to a projection that 65,150 people will receive a diagnosis in the United States in 2024.
- A proper medical diagnosis and adequate treatment can enable individuals with leukemia to manage their condition and live for years, demonstrating that progress in the field of health-and-wellness and cancer research is helping patients lead longer lives with supportive care.
