Leukemia

WHAT IS LEUKEMIA?

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow which causes the blood
produced to be abnormal. The blood cells that are abnormal consist of: red blood cells, white
blood cells, and platelets (see figure 1 1). They are considered abnormal because they grow and
divide at a faster rate, suppressing the immune system of the individual. In a healthy individual
you would find the blood count to be more red blood cells which are the ones responsible for
transporting oxygen through out the body and provide iron to the persons immune system (See
figure2 2). White blood cells that fight against diseases and infections work as a barrier. Platelets
are blood clutters, which prevents bleeding or bruising.
1 Figure 1 shows the difference in between a health blood cells and leukemic blood cells.
2 Figure 2 shows each type of blood cells discussed above.

Figure 1
Figure 2

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF LEUKEMIA...

If lacking of healthy blood cells any of these disease may occur: anemia, neutropenia,
thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia. Anemia is low red blood cells, causing fatigue. Neutropenia is the
lacking of white blood cells and neutrophils that suppress the immune system. Thrombocytopenia is
low platelet level causing unjustified bruising as well as bleeding. Pancytopenia is the lacking of red
blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This increases the possibility of having leukemia since
the immune system is so vulnerable.

SYMPTOMS, FACTORS, AND DIAGNOSIS...

Leukemia is hard to diagnose because of the broad symptoms it has. Symptoms may
include: fever or chills, fatigue, infections, weight loss unexpectedly, swollen lymph nodes,
abnormal spleen/liver, easily bruising or bleeding, petechia (red spots on skin), night sweats,
sensitive bones. Due to the vast amount of symptoms the most effective way to diagnose if a
individual has leukemia is by blood tests (see figure 31), bone marrow tests (see figure 42), and
physical exams. The tests consist of blood sampling to check levels of red and white blood cells
along with platelets, removal of bone marrow from the hip to test for leukemic cells, and
searching for general signs of leukemia. Here are some factors that may contribute with the
uprising of leukemia. They may involve previous cancer treatment, genetic disorder, chemical
exposure, smoking, and family history of leukemia. Although these factors may vary or might not
even be relevant to the factors causing the disease. Theyre the most common factors known to
cause leukemia.
1
2

Figure 3 demonstrates how a bone marrow test is done.

Figure 4 show tubes for a blood testing.

Blood Tests

Figure 4

Bone marrow test

Figure 3

TYPES AND CLASSIFICATIONS...

Leukemia also has different types and classifications. It includes acute, chronic,
lymphocytic, and myelogenous. Acute refers to blood cells that divide and grow progressively
faster due to their abnormal state. Chronic to mature blood cells functioning properly for some
time then progressively slow start to accumulate until some signs appear, until then this disease
might go unnoticed. Lymphocytic refers to Lymphocytes which are lymphoid cells which are
responsible for making lymphatic tissue. Myelogenous refers to red and white blood cells along
with the platelets and myeloid cells that are affected along the way.

SPECIFIC TYPES OF LEUKEMIA...

The different types of leukemia consist of:
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a condition that affects blood cells, white blood cells
mainly, and the immune system. Can spread all throughout the body. White blood cells
affected consist of majorly lymphoblasts who make lymphocytes which have 3 different
types: B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells. B lymphocytes help fight
infections, T lymphocytes make antibodies, and natural killer cells attack tumor cells. They
become different because they grow and sustain better along with blocking normal
production of blood cells
Acute Myeloid Leukemia affects stem cells meaning red and white blood cells along with
platelets are affected due to better grow and survival, blocking production of normal cells.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is more common in adults which may develop fast or slow
depending on the individual. This type of cancer also doesnt affect development of blood
cells as much as acute does. Faster developing individuals tend to have enlarged lymph
nodes and spleen as well as more cancerous cells stoping and dropping the normal
function and development of blood cells. Slower developing is almost normal just for the
small fact that it has more lymphocytes (white blood cells) and mostly normal amount of
red blood cells.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is one of the main types of leukmia. Has three phases and may
go by chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic granulocytic leukemia, and chronic
myelocytic leukemia as well. Affects the stem cells including red blood cells, white blood
cells, and platelets. Although it does not affect mature cells directly causing it to be less
sever.
Hairy Cell Leukemia, is rare in adults. Cells look like they have short hair on them. Most
people live 5 years survival rate after treatment. Although it accumulates in the spleen,
liver and bone marrow. Multiply at a uncontrollably fast rate suppressing immune system
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia majorly affects Adults, more males than females, and
a small amount of young kids. Changes more than one thing in the DNA of stem cells making them multiple at an unbelievable pace. Both myeloblast and myelocytes gather in the
bone marrow cause defects in normal cell production. If not treated on time it may cause
anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.
Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia common in children younger than 6 years old, males
more than females. Also called Juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia, Chronic granulocytic leukemia, CMML of childhood,Chronic and subacute myelomonocytic leukemia,
and Infant monosomy 7 syndrome. Lacking of monocytes in the blood stream instead they
attack body organs affecting their immune system. They also multiply at a fast rate.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion Leukemia is cancer in the blood and has several types and several stages.
There are several test that are made to diagnose leukemia. Including blood tests, bone marrow
tests, and physcial exams. Depending on the stage and type is the risk for a persons well being
considering that leukemia is spreading anywhere your blood has access to. Decreasing there
physical health and activiy due to a persons immune system being vulnerable increasing the
chance of infection and diseases. If leukemia is not treated on time it may cause death.

Endnotes
Mayoclinic.org, January 28,2016. web. February 19,2015.
Leukemia & lymphoma society, lls.org, web. February 24,2015