Blood Cancer Awareness: Spotlight On Leukemia
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society estimates that approximately 456,481 people in the U.S. are currently living with or in remission from leukemia. While this figure may seem alarming, advancements in research and treatment have significantly improved survival rates and quality of life for patients. Let’s discuss this further.
Blood cells are made within your bone marrow—the sponge-like portion in the center of your bone. These cells can be separated into four main components:
- Red blood cells – help carry oxygen from your lungs to your organs and tissue all over your body
- White blood cells – help to fight off infections
- Platelets – help form clots to stop bleeding
- Plasma – carries nutrients, waste, and hormones
Each of these components have a unique and specific task within your body.
However, before these cells can grow and mature, they are called stem cells. Stem cells are special because they have the unique ability to divide and produce many different types of cells that mature into fully functioning blood cells.
When stem cells divide, they split into two distinct categories.
- Lymphocytes – a type of white blood cell
- Myeloid cells – immature cells that will later become mature red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
When you have leukemia your bone marrow starts to make a lot of cells that are not normal. The issue typically arises specifically with white blood cells.
White blood cells accumulate in large numbers in the bone marrow and throughout the blood, causing overcrowding. They end up taking up too much space, leaving no room for other cells to function properly. As a result, normal blood cells are unable to perform their essential tasks, such as fighting infections, transporting oxygen throughout the body, and stopping bleeding. The symptoms associated with leukemia result from the impact that this overcrowding has on the other cells in the body.
The following symptoms may be experienced in varying degrees:
- Fever – occurs from a low white blood cell count, increasing infection risk
- Fatigue and weakness – often caused by a reduced number of red blood cells
- Difficulty breathing, palpitations, and chest pain can also be symptoms of anemia
- Easy bruising or bleeding – can indicate fewer platelets
- Loss of appetite – may be due to an enlarged spleen or liver, which can create a feeling of fullness
- Weight loss – may be due to increased energy demands
- Tiny red dots appearing under the skin – may also indicate a low platelet count
It is important to note that the symptoms depend on the type of leukemia you have and whether it is acute or chronic.
There are four main types of Leukemia:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: ALL
- Acute myeloid leukemia: AML
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: CLL
- Chronic myeloid leukemia: CML
Leukemias are categorized by their progression speed and the specific type of white blood cell that becomes cancerous. Acute leukemias progress rapidly, while chronic leukemias progress slowly.
The following test may be provided by your doctor:
- Blood tests
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Urine test
- CT scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound of the abdomen
- ECG
Treatments may include:
- Chemotherapy involves drugs that target cancer cells and inhibit their rapid division; however, these drugs can also harm normal cells
- Immunotherapy uses your own immune system to kill the cancer cells
- Targeted therapy refers to medications that specifically target the abnormal genes and proteins found in cancer cells
- In stem cell transplantation, recipients may receive marrow from a donor, or their cells may be used
- Radiation therapy involves using intense energy from a radioactive substance to kill cancer cells
Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are typically better tolerated because they are less likely to harm normal cells.
Your doctor will select the right treatment for you based on the type of leukemia that you have.
Research and advancements in treatments have made it possible to effectively treat many types of leukemia, and in some cases, even cure the disease. Additionally, making adjustments to nutrition and implementing lifestyle changes can improve overall well-being and enhance quality of life.