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Leukemia Overview: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors & Treatments

Published: October 8, 2024
Leukemia Overview: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors & Treatments

Overview of Leukemia: Understanding a Complex Disease

Leukemia encompasses a group of cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow, characterized by the uncontrolled multiplication of abnormal white blood cells. This condition disrupts normal blood cell production and can manifest in various forms, each with its unique characteristics and treatment approaches.

Unlike most cancers, leukemia does not form a solid tumor. Instead, it leads the body to produce large numbers of abnormal white blood cells, which can crowd out healthy cells and impair the body's ability to fight infections, carry oxygen, and control bleeding.

Leukemia primarily affects individuals aged 55 and older, but it is also prevalent among children younger than 15 years. Understanding leukemia is essential for early detection and effective management. In the following sections of this blog, we will explore the types of leukemia, its symptoms, causes, risk factors, and prevention strategies.

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Types of Leukemia

There are different types of leukemia,which are described as follows:

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most prevalent blood cancer to exist. It usually develops in children and adults. It spreads very quickly into other body parts such as tissues and organs (including- Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), Liver, Lymph nodes, Spleen, Testicles in male patients). It is characterized by rapid progression that affects lymphoid cells.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

Acute myelogenous leukemia is the fast progressing blood cancer in adult patients. The disease can also affect children. It originates from the myeloid cells in the bone marrow and it spreads into the bloodstream. Rapid progression that affects myeloid cells.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

It most often occurs in the elderly population. CLL begins in the bone marrow's lymphoid (white blood) cells and advances at a slow pace. It is characterized by slow progression that affects lymphoid cells.

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

It is a slowly progressing blood cancer that affects myeloid cells. Therefore, the symptoms may not start appearing for months or years after first developing symptoms. CML is a unique type of leukemia with a specific genetic cause, the Philadelphia chromosome, leading to the production of an abnormal protein that drives the disease.

Symptoms 

There are various other symptoms for leukemia but main symptoms are underlined below:

  • Body Symptoms- Fever or chills, Persistent fatigue, weakness, Losing weight without trying, Frequent or severe infections, Excessive sweating, especially at night, Tiny red spots in your skin. 

  • Organ Symptoms- Swollen lymph nodes, Enlarged liver or spleen, Recurrent nosebleeds, Easy bleeding or bruising. 

  • Bone Symptoms- Pain or tenderness. 

Causes of Leukemia

Leukemia can be caused by various factors but most common factors are as follows:

  • Exposure to Chemicals: Exposure to chemicals such as Benzene, Formaldehyde, Pesticides may cause leukemia.

  • Exposure to Radiation: Exposure to radiation from medical imaging, alpha and beta particles, UV radiation, microwaves etc. 

  • Weak Immune System: Factors such as malnutrition, chronic stress, poor sleep, aging and immunodeficiency disorders are known to weaken the immune system, which may contribute to leukemia development.

  • Blood Disorders: Conditions such as polycythaemia vera, platelet disorders, plasma disorders, red blood cell disorders etc. can contribute to leukemia.

  • Genetic: Several factors linked to family history such as inherited genetic mutations, and somatic mutations may cause leukemia.

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Understanding Key Risk Factors for Leukemia Development

It's essential to understand how certain behaviors and exposures can increase the risk of developing leukemia. Below are some key factors that may influence the likelihood of the disease:

Genetic Traits

Inherited genetic mutations or conditions can predispose an individual to leukemia. While you can't change your genetic makeup, being aware of your genetic risk allows for early monitoring and proactive healthcare intervention.

Lifestyle Choices

  • Smoking: Tobacco use significantly raises the risk of developing leukemia. Quitting or avoiding smoking is a major step in reducing this risk.

  • Diet and Exercise: While not directly preventing leukemia, a balanced diet and regular physical activity can support overall health and may reduce cancer risk by strengthening your immune system.

Occupational and Environmental Exposures

  • Chemical Exposure: Working with or being exposed to chemicals such as benzene can increase leukemia risk. It's crucial to use protective gear and follow safety protocols to minimize exposure.

  • Radiation Exposure: Limiting unnecessary radiation from medical imaging and following safety guidelines in medical or industrial settings helps reduce this risk.

Medical History

  • Previous Cancer Treatments: If you've had prior cancer treatments like radiation or certain types of chemotherapy, regular follow-ups are essential for early detection of secondary cancers, including leukemia.

  • Family History: A family history of leukemia or related cancers increases your risk. It’s recommended to discuss this with your healthcare provider for more frequent screenings or genetic counseling.

Age and Gender

While age and gender are non-modifiable traits, staying informed about other risk factors and managing what is within your control is vital for proactive health management.

Common Treatments for Leukemia - Effective Therapies 

There are various approaches to treating leukemia, depending on factors such as the patient's overall condition, the stage of the disease, and any underlying health issues. Here are the most common treatments:

Systemic Therapy

  • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses cancer-killing drugs administered either intravenously or orally. In some cases, patients may require a chemo port for the systemic delivery of these drugs.

  • Immunotherapy: This treatment boosts the immune system to fight cancer cells. Specific drugs are used to enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and attack leukemia cells through the production of antibodies.

  • Targeted Therapy: This treatment focuses on specific abnormalities within cancer cells. Drugs act on these abnormalities, blocking the growth of cancer cells and ultimately destroying them.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. In leukemia, it is typically used to:

  • Target specific areas: Radiation is focused on areas like the lymph nodes or bone marrow, where leukemia cells are concentrated.

  • Reduce cancer cell count: It can decrease the number of leukemia cells, making other treatments, such as chemotherapy, more effective.

  • Prevent relapse: Radiation therapy may help prevent leukemia from returning after other treatments.

Radiation therapy is often combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant, depending on the patient's health and the stage of the disease.

Note: Radiation therapy plays a crucial role in leukemia treatment, the blog on Department of Radiation Oncology guide outlines the latest techniques available for comprehensive cancer care.

Bone Marrow Transplant

A bone marrow transplant replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy bone marrow, which helps restore the production of healthy blood cells. This can be a life-saving treatment for leukemia.

  • Replacing damaged bone marrow: In leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal cells. A transplant replaces this damaged marrow with healthy donor cells.

  • Producing healthy cells: The transplanted marrow begins to produce normal blood cells, improving the patient's blood count and immune system.

  • Curing leukemia: In some cases, this procedure can lead to a full cure by replacing all diseased bone marrow with healthy tissue.

There are two types of bone marrow transplants:

  • Autologous transplant: The patient’s own bone marrow cells are harvested before treatment and then reintroduced.

  • Allogeneic transplant: Bone marrow cells come from a donor, such as a sibling or unrelated match.

Bone marrow transplants can be a life-saving treatment for leukemia. If you're interested in the financial aspects, click here to see the cost of bone marrow transplants in India.

CAR T-cell Therapy

CAR T-cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy, uses the patient’s own T cells to fight leukemia. It has shown promising results, particularly in patients with advanced leukemia.

  • Engineering T cells: The patient’s T cells are collected and genetically modified to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), enabling them to recognize and attack leukemia cells.

  • Reinfusion: The modified T cells are reintroduced into the patient’s bloodstream.

  • Attacking leukemia cells: These CAR T cells actively seek out and destroy leukemia cells, offering a potentially powerful treatment option.

CAR T-cell therapy is typically used in cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when other treatments have failed. However, it can cause side effects like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity, so it is reserved for more advanced cases. If considering CAR T, the cost of CAR T-cell therapy in India can provide valuable insights.

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To summarize, leukemia is a blood cancer affecting white blood cells. It can be acute (fast-growing) or chronic (slow-growing). Common types include ALL, AML, CLL, and CML. Symptoms include fatigue, infections, bleeding, and swollen lymph nodes. Causes can be genetic, environmental (chemicals, radiation), or due to blood disorders. Treatment options vary based on the type and stage of leukemia and include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, and CAR T-cell therapy.

Guneet Bindra
Reviewer

Guneet Bhatia is the Founder of HOSPIDIO and an accomplished content reviewer with extensive experience in medical content development, instructional design, and blogging. Passionate about creating impactful content, she excels in ensuring accuracy and clarity in every piece. Guneet enjoys engaging in meaningful conversations with people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, enriching her perspective. When she's not working, she cherishes quality time with her family, enjoys good music, and loves brainstorming innovative ideas with her team.