The term leukemia actually describes a group of cancers involving an excess of white blood cells. In leukemia normal control mechanism starts to produce large number of abnormal white blood cells disrupting production of normal blood cells and affecting vital functions that these blood cells carry out.
Leukemia can be classified as either lymphoid or myeloid, denoting the type of white blood cells affected. It is also categorized as either acute or chronic reflecting the speed of progression.
Acute Leukemia’s
Acute Lymphoblastic (lymphoid) Leukemia (ALL) accounts for more than 80% of cases of and one of the few forms of cancer that is more common in children than adults.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) accounts adults for most of the remaining cases
Chronic Leukemia
Chonic leukemia which progress slowly are very rare in childhood.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) accounts for less than 3% of childhood leukemia .
Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukemia is unheard of in children.
Causes of Leukemia :
- Radiation exposure
- Exposure to benzene
- Smoking
- Genetic reasons
- Family history
- Past chemotherapy
- Blood disorders
- Viruses
- Electromagnetic fields
Diagnosis of Leukemia
- Blood Test :A sample of blood is examined under a microscope to see what the cells look like and to determine the number of mature cells and blasts.
- Bone Marrow test for Leukemia
Symptoms :
Common symptoms of leukemia are: Fever, chills, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms , Weakness and fatigue, Frequent infections, Loss of appetite and/or weight, Swollen or tender lymph nodes, liver or spleen, Easy bleeding or bruising, Tiny red spots (called petechiae) under the skin, Swollen or bleeding gums, Sweating, especially at night, Bone or joint pain .
