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Leukemia

Leukemia

Dr. Faozat Aragbaye
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Leukaemia is cancer of the body’s blood forming tissues, including the bone marrow and lymphatic system.

CAUSES

Causes of leukaemia are unknown. People who have it have certain abnormal chromosomes, but the chromosomes don’t cause the leukaemia. Leukemia seems to develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors

Every day, billions of the blood cells are made in the bone marrow, most of them red blood cells. But leukemic patient, the body makes more white cells than it needs.

TYPES OF LEUKEMIA

Leukaemia is grouped into one of two categories: acute or chronic

  • Acute leukemia happens when most of the abnormal blood cells stay immature and can’t carry out normal functions. It can get bad very fast.
  • Chronic leukemia happens when ther are some immature cells, but others are normal and can function normally, that means it gets bad , but more slowly.

The second type of classification is by type of white blood cell affected:

  • Lymphocytic leukemia. This type of leukemia affects the lymphoid cells ( lymphocytes),
  • Myelogenous leukemia. This type of leukemia affects the myeloid cells.

SYMPTOMS

Leukemia symptoms vary depending on the type of leukemia. Common leukaemia signs and symptoms include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Persistent fatigue, weakness
  • Frequent or severe infections
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen
  • Easy bleeding or brising
  • Recurrent nosebleeds
  • Tiny red spots in the skin
  • Excessive sweating, especially at night
  • Bone pain or tenderness.

RISK FACTORS

Factors that may increase the risk of developing some types of leukemia include:

  • Artificial ionizing radiation
  • Genetic disorders
  • Exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene and some petrochemicals
  • Smoking
  • Hair dyes
  • Family history of leukemia
  • Down syndrome
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However, most people with known risk factors don’t get leukemia. And many people with leukemia have none of these risk factors.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of leukemia is based on the following investigations:

  • Physical examination
  • Blood tests
  • Bone marrow biopsy

TREATMENT

Treatment for leukemia depends on many factors. Treatment options are based on age, overall health, type of leukaemia and whether it has spread to other parts of the body including central nervous system.

Common treatments for leukemia include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Biological therapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery
  • Stem cell transplant

PROGNOSIS

The prognosis of leukemia depends upon the type of leukemiathat is present, age and health status. Mortality rates for leukemia are higher in the elderly than in younger adults and children. In many cases , leukemia can  be managed or cured with treatments available today.

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