Leukemia
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Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that occurs in the tissues that form blood in our bodies. These include the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. The disease, which is also known as cancer of the white blood cells, occurs as a result of an uncontrollable increase in the number of the white blood cells, which overcrowd the red blood cells and platelets.
The white blood cells, which are produced in the bone marrow, play an important role in the body’s immune system, which is to fight off infections and prevent illnesses.
Classifications of Leukemia
There are four main classifications of leukemia and are classified according to how fast the disease progresses. These include:
- Acute Leukemia: This is the most common type of leukemia, and it develops when the abnormal blood cells are unable to carry out any functions as a result of them being immature. The multiplication of these immature blood cells progresses very quickly, and as a result, requires a fast and aggressive treatment.
- Chronic Leukemia: This type of leukemia occurs as a result of the production of too many blood cells or too few blood cells. Unlike acute leukemia, the cells produced are more mature with the rate of production being slower. For a period of time, these cells function normally. The disease progresses slower than in the case of acute leukemia.
- Lymphocytic Leukemia: Lymphocytic leukemia affects the lymphocytes, which are the lymphoid cells. These cells, which form the lymphatic tissue, play a vital role in the immune system.
- Myelogenous Leukemia: This type of leukemia occurs when the bone marrow cells, rather than the blood cells, are affected. The bone marrow is responsible for creating the white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
Types of Leukemia
The main types of leukemia include:
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): This is considered the most common type of leukemia among children, although it can also occur in adults. It has the capability to spread to the central nervous system and the lymph nodes.
- Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML): It is the most common type of leukemia among adults, although it also occurs in children.
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): This is another common type of leukemia among adults. Some types of CLL may be stable for years without the need for treatment, while for others, the patient may need treatment.
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML): Considered to only affect adults, CML may not present any noticeable symptoms at the beginning until it starts progressing very fast.
Causes and Risk Factors of Leukemia
Currently, there is no known cause of leukemia, but there are risk factors that can trigger the disease. These include:
- Exposure to high levels of radiation
- Genetic disorders like Down's Syndrome
- Family history of leukemia
- Certain blood disorders
- Smoking
Symptoms of Leukemia
Since there are different types of leukemia, the symptoms of leukemia may vary. Some of the common symptoms of leukemia include:
- Persistent infections
- Fever and chills
- Easy bruising
- Nose bleeding
- Anemia
- Weight loss
- Poor blood clotting
- Persistent fatigue
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Petechiae (red spots on the skin)
- Night sweats (excessive)
- Pain in the bones
Diagnosis of Leukemia
If you’re presenting the above symptoms of leukemia, it is highly recommended that you visit a Hematologist-Oncologist as soon as possible for a diagnosis. To get a definitive diagnosis, the expert will order several tests, which include:
- Physical exam
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Blood cell count
- Blood screening
- Blood enzyme tests
Treatment of Leukemia
The treatment of leukemia is dependent on a number of factors, including:
- The type of leukemia
- The stage of the disease
- The rate at which it is progressing
- The overall health and well-being of the patient
- If the disease has spread to other areas
Treatment options for leukemia include:
- Chemotherapy: This is the main treatment for leukemia, and it involves the use of a combination of anti-cancer drugs to destroy the leukemia cells.
- Radiation Therapy: This form of treatment uses powerful X-ray energy to destroy the leukemia cells and stop them from growing.
- Targeted Therapy: This is a form of treatment that targets and slows down or stops the growth of the cancerous cells.
- Bone Marrow Transplant: Also known as a stem cell transplant, a bone marrow transplant replaces the abnormal bone marrow cells with healthy ones to regenerate healthy non-cancerous blood cells. This mode of treatment is done after destroying the leukemia cells through chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Next Step
At King’s College Hospital Dubai, we are committed to delivering exemplary healthcare services with a strong focus on patient wellbeing.
From your initial consultation and thorough diagnosis to personalised treatment and continued care beyond, our multidisciplinary team of experienced doctors, nurses, and technologists works collaboratively to manage your condition with precision and compassion.
We take the time to answer your questions, address your concerns, and ensure you feel informed and supported throughout your journey with us. Whatever your needs may be, our team is always just a phone call away, ready to help.
