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After the formation of the white blood cell does not perform its normal functions, but it is very fast and uncontrolled process of division. As a result, due to the formation of large numbers of abnormal cells are cancer cells replacing normal blood. The result of this process becomes anemia . infection . manifestation of bleeding . Further leukemic cells enter the lymph nodes and other bodies, provoking the manifestation of pathological changes.
The most common leukemia affects elderly people and children. Leukemia occurs with frequency of approximately 5 cases per 100 000. It leukemia diagnosed in children more often than other cancers. Most often this disease occurs in children aged 2-4 years.
To date, there is no well-defined causes that provoke the development of leukemia. However, there is accurate information about the risk factors that contribute to blood cancer. Among these is radiation exposure, the impact of cancer-causing chemicals, smoking, heredity factor. However, many people who suffer from leukemia, have not encountered before with any of these risk factors.
Types of leukemia
Leukemia blood can be divided into several different types. If we take into account the nature of the disease course, the release acute leukemia and chronic leukemia . If in the case of acute leukemia, symptoms appear in a patient suddenly and rapidly, while chronic leukemia the disease progresses slowly over several years. In acute leukemia patient a rapid uncontrolled growth of immature blood cells. Patients with chronic leukemia is rapidly increasing the number of cells that are more mature. Symptoms of acute leukemia type is much heavier, so this form of the disease requires immediate therapy correctly selected.
If we consider the types of leukemia in terms of the type of lesion cells, distinguish several forms of leukemia: Lymphocytic Leukemia (form of the disease, in which there is a defect lymphocytes ); myelogenous leukemia (a process which interferes with the normal maturation of granulocytic leukocytes). In turn, these types of leukemia are divided into some subtypes which differ in various properties and on the selection of the type of treatment. Therefore, it is important to accurately set the advanced diagnosis.
The symptoms of leukemia
It is important that people just paid attention to the display of such symptoms and determine the appearance of changes in health. Also, the development of leukemia can join complications of an infectious nature: necrotic sore throat . stomatitis .
In chronic leukemia, symptoms appear gradually. The patient gets tired quickly, there is a weakness, he lost the desire to eat and work.
At later stages of leukemia patient manifests as pronounced tendency to thrombosis .
If a patient with leukemia blood begins the process of metastasis, the leukemic infiltrates occur in various organs. These often occur in the lymph nodes, liver and spleen. Because of obstruction of vessels by tumor cells in the body may occur heart attacks , Complications of necrotizing nature.
Causes of leukemia
There are a number of points, which are defined as the possible causes of mutations in the chromosomes of normal cells. The cause of leukemia is exposure to ionizing radiation on humans. This feature has been proved after the atomic explosions that occurred in Japan. Some time after their number of patients with acute leukemia has increased several times. Directly affects the development of leukemia and the action of carcinogens. These are some medicines ( levomitsitin . phenylbutazone . cytostatics ) And chemicals (benzene, pesticides, petroleum products). Hereditary factors in this case relates primarily to a chronic form of the disease. But in families whose members suffered from acute leukemia, the risk of the disease also increased several times. It is believed that inherited susceptibility to mutation turns normal cells.
There is also a theory that the cause of leukemia in humans may be a special viruses that may be embedded in the human DNA and then induce the transformation of normal cells into malignant ones. To some extent a manifestation of leukemia depends on the geographical area in which people live, and a representative of what race he is.
Diagnosis of leukemia
To study the bone marrow sample from the patient is taken from the sternum or ilium. If a patient develops acute leukemia, in the course of the study revealed the replacement of normal cells immature tumor cells (called blasts). Also in the process of diagnosis can be performed immunophenotyping (survey immunological nature). For this purpose the method of flow cytometry. This study provides information on what is a subspecies of cancer of the blood takes place in the patient. These data allow us to choose the most effective method of treatment.
In the process of diagnosis is also cytogenetic and molecular genetic testing. In the first study we can detect specific chromosomal damage. This allows professionals to find out what kind of subspecies of leukemia observed in the patient, and to understand how aggressive the disease. The presence of genetic disorders at the molecular level is detected in the process of molecular genetic diagnosis.
If you suspect that some form of the disease can be carried out the study of cerebrospinal fluid for the presence of tumor cells in it. The data can also help to choose the correct program of therapy of the disease.
In the process of diagnosis is especially important differential diagnosis. For example, leukemia in children and adults has a number of symptoms characteristic HIV infection As well as other symptoms (increased enforcement, pancytopenia leukemoid reactions), which may be evidence of other diseases.
Leukemia Treatment
The treatment of the acute form of leukemia is the use of multiple drugs with antitumor activity. They are combined with relatively large doses glucocorticoid hormones . After careful examination of patients, doctors determine whether there is a sense of the patient transplants of bone marrow. The therapy is very important is the implementation of support measures. Thus, the patients underwent a transfusion of blood components, as well as taking steps to accede surgical treatment of infection.
In the treatment of chronic leukemia today used extensively antimetabolites - Drugs that suppress the development of malignant cells. Also suitable treatment with radiation therapy and administering radioactive substances.
The expert determines the method of treatment of leukemia, guided by some form of the disease develops in a patient. In the course of treatment is provided for the control of the patient's condition through regular blood tests and bone marrow examination.
Treatment of leukemia is conducted regularly throughout life. It is important to consider that treatment is possible without a rapid death.
Acute leukemia
Distinguish three stages of acute leukemia In the first stage, the debut of the disease: primary clinical manifestations . The period ending with the effect of measures taken for the treatment of leukemia . The second stage of the disease - it is in remission . Accepted distinguish between complete and incomplete remission . If there is a complete clinical remission, which lasts less than one month, the clinical manifestations are absent in myelogram is determined not more than 5% blasts, and no more than 30% of lymphocytes . With incomplete clinical remission clinical parameters return to normal in the bone marrow punctate in the presence of not more than 20% blasts . In the third stage of the disease is a relapse . The process can begin with the emergence of foci of extramedullary leukemic infiltration in different organs, and the indicators are normal hematopoiesis . The patient can not express complaints, but the study of bone marrow reveal signs of relapse .
To treat acute leukemia in children and adults should only specialized institution hematological profile. The therapy is the main method chemotherapy Whose purpose - to destroy all the leukemia cells in the human body. There are also support actions that are prescribed, guided by the general condition of the patient. For example, it can be carried out transfusion of blood components, measures aimed at reducing the level of intoxication and the prevention of infections.
Acute leukemia consists of two major steps. Firstly, held induction therapy. This is chemotherapy, in which malignant cells are destroyed, and the aim is to achieve complete remission. Secondly, chemotherapy after remission. This method aims to prevent the recurrence of the disease. In this case, the approach to treatment is now determined on an individual basis. Perhaps chemotherapy using the approach of consolidation. This remission after chemotherapy program is used, similar to the one used previously. Suitable intensification is to use a more active chemotherapy than during treatment. Application of maintenance therapy is to use lower doses of drugs. However, the process of chemotherapy longer.
It is also possible through other treatment methods. For example, leukemia blood can be treated by high-dose chemotherapy, after which the patient is made stem cell transplantation. For the treatment of acute leukemia apply new drugs among which are nucleoside analogues, monoclonal antibodies differentiating means.
Preventing leukemia
As a prevention of leukemia is very important to have regular check-ups by specialists, as well as to carry out all necessary preventive laboratory tests . If you have the symptoms described above, you should immediately contact a specialist . At the moment, no clear measures for the primary prevention of acute leukemia . Patients after achieving remission is very important to carry out quality maintenance and anti-relapse therapy . Continuous monitoring and surveillance at the pediatric hematology and (in the case of leukemia in children) . What is important is a constant close monitoring of indicators of the patient's blood . After the treatment of leukemia patients is not recommended to move to other climatic conditions, as well as expose the patient physiotherapy . Children who suffered from leukemia, conduct preventive vaccination in accordance with individually developed immunization schedule .
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