Leukemia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
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Leukemia is a disease that can affect both young and old. It is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues in the body, including the bone marrow and lymphatic system. There are main types and subtypes of leukemia; the main types include acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia.
In a new multicenter, international study led by Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, researchers found that people with the B-cell precursor subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who also lacked a genetic abnormality known as the Philadelphia chromosome and were in remission with no trace of cancer had significantly higher survival rates when blinatumomab was added to their chemotherapy. Results of the randomized study are expected to be published this month in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The study included 488 participants, aged 30 to 70 years, with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), of whom 224 were in remission and had measurable residual disease after the initial course of chemotherapy. The 224 participants were randomly assigned equally to two groups: one group received blinatumomab with chemotherapy, and the other group received standard treatment with chemotherapy alone.
The results showed that 85% of participants who were treated with blinatumomab and chemotherapy were alive for three years, compared to 68% of those who received chemotherapy alone, the standard treatment.
Causes and risk factors of leukemia include genetic disorders, or genetic defects, exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene, previous cancer treatment, smoking, and a family history of leukemia.
Symptoms of leukemia vary depending on the type; however, common signs and symptoms of leukemia may include fever or chills, constant fatigue and weakness, recurrent or severe infections, unexplained weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes and enlarged liver or spleen, easy bleeding or bruising, frequent nosebleeds, small red spots appearing on your skin (petechiae), excessive sweating, especially at night, and feeling bone pain or tenderness when touched.
Treatment for leukemia depends on many factors. Your doctor may determine your treatment options based on your age, general health, the type of leukemia you have, and whether it has spread to other parts of your body, including your central nervous system.
Common treatments used to eliminate leukemia include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, immunotherapy, and genetically modifying immune cells to kill leukemia. Clinical trials are also an option for some types of leukemia.
In short, leukemia is a disease that can affect both adults and children. It is treated in different ways, the first of which is chemotherapy, which has proven to be very effective in prolonging the lives of those affected by the disease when added to it blinatumomab, a type of immunotherapy that is injected through a vein.
Conclusion:
Leukemia is a serious disease that requires immediate attention and treatment. The study mentioned above shows that adding blinatumomab to chemotherapy can significantly improve survival rates in patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is essential to consult a specialist doctor immediately if you suspect any abnormal symptoms, especially if one or more cases of this disease have been recorded in your family.
FAQs:
Q: What is leukemia?
A: Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues in the body, including the bone marrow and lymphatic system.
Q: What are the main types of leukemia?
A: The main types of leukemia include acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Q: What are the symptoms of leukemia?
A: Common signs and symptoms of leukemia may include fever or chills, constant fatigue and weakness, recurrent or severe infections, unexplained weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes and enlarged liver or spleen, easy bleeding or bruising, frequent nosebleeds, small red spots appearing on your skin (petechiae), excessive sweating, especially at night, and feeling bone pain or tenderness when touched.
Q: How is leukemia treated?
A: Treatment for leukemia depends on many factors. Common treatments used to eliminate leukemia include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, immunotherapy, and genetically modifying immune cells to kill leukemia. Clinical trials are also an option for some types of leukemia.
Q: Can leukemia be cured?
A: While leukemia is a serious disease, it can be treated and managed with modern medicine. The prognosis varies depending on the type of leukemia, the stage of the disease, and the patient’s overall health.