Leukemia is one of the most prevalent types of cancers of the blood cells and other blood-forming systems of the body, such as bone marrow, as well as lymphatic systems.
In the case of leukemia, a large number of cancerous white blood cells (WBCs) interfere with the production of other red blood cells (RBCs), making them functionally inactive. Moreover, the fighting ability of white blood cells as well is severely hampered; hence, the person gets more prone to other opportunistic infections. According to the type of cells affected and the stage of progression, leukemia can be further classified into Acute Leukemia, Chronic Leukemia, Lymphatic leukemia, and Myeloid leukemia.
Both environmental, as well as genetic factors are identified as causative factors. People, who are exposed to ionizing radiations, smoke, asbestos, fly-ash, mutated genetic make-up and chronic HIV infection may also suffer from leukemia.
Signs & Symptoms:
- Frequent fever and chills
- Persistent sweating
- Infections and infection-based conditions
- Loss of weight
- Loss of appetite
- Easy bleeding and bruising
- Pain and tenderness of the bone and
- Slow blood clotting and healing power.
The most common treatment procedures include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. However, nowadays bone marrow stem cell transplantation from matching donors is also possible. Stem cell transplant from umbilical cord of an offspring or matching genotypes are also new and have provided proven cases.
