There are two types of leukemia, chronic and acute, which are treated differently and have different symptoms. Acute leukemia rapidly progresses and needs immediate, aggressive treatment. Chronic leukemia can take months or years to show symptoms and may not need immediate treatment but will require ongoing monitoring.
Causes and Risk Factors
1. Age
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) occurs mostly in adults with increased risk with age.
2. Gender
Men have an increased risk of Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) than that of women.
3. Radiation
Children with previous high dose of radiotherapy and chemotherapy have an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
4. Exposure to environment chemicals
Exposure to certain chemicals can increase risk of the disease.
5. Previous cancer treatment.
Previous cancer treatment of chemotherapy and radiation therapy increase the risk of AML.
6. Smoking
AML is linked to cigarette smoke, as a result of cigarette carcinogens.
7. Genetic disorders
Certain inherited genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, Fanconi anemia, IgA deficiency, etc. increase the risk of the disease.
8. Etc.
Symptoms and signs of leukemia:
- Pain in the joints
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fevers
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Regular infections
- Bleeding
- Swelling of abdomen part
- Tiredness
Treatment for leukemia disease:
Stem Cell Transplant:
Stem cell transplantation is a useful process in treating the leukemia cells by allowing the body to face high doses of radiation and drugs. These high doses will completely destroy the leukemia cells and normal cells in the bone marrow. After the complete destruction of the leukemia and normal cells by the radiation and chemotherapy, new cells are produced by the Transplanted stem cells. These new cells replace the destroyed cells during the treatment.
Stem cell transplantation is carried in the hospital and after the transplantation process, patient should be in the hospital for several weeks or months for observation of stem cells production.
Radiation Therapy:
Radiotherapy is a useful process in removing cancer cells by using high intensity x-rays. These high energy x-rays are aimed at the cancer affected part of the body to destroy the cancer cells. This process also causes damage to the normal cells for its side effects.
Targeted Therapy:
Targeted therapy drugs are very useful in blocking the growth of leukemia cells. People facing with chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia can use this targeted therapy drugs for better results.
Biological Therapy:
Due to weak immune system in the body, there are chances for the development of cancer. So this Biotherapy treatment process is useful in rebuilding strong immune system in the body. Biotherapy is also called as immunotherapy or biological response modifier therapy. This treatment process is really useful in repairing, enhancing and stimulating the weak immune system.
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy drugs are also called as anti-cancer drugs used to destroy cancer cells .there are many types of chemotherapy drugs available in the market for the treatment of cancer. These drugs are available in the form of pills but mostly given by drip into the blood veins. Chemotherapeutic drugs attacks the cancer cells by stopping their unusual growth. The nature of the cancer cells were brought to the normal condition by controlling the divisibility of the cells. These drugs are carried in the bloodstream to kill destroy all the cancer cells within short period of time.
This cancer chemotherapy drug can be given at either clinic or at home. The usage of this drug can be daily, weekly or monthly depending on the stage of the cancer and by body immune system. Chemotherapy treatment is given by considering the following basis like age, gender, drug toxicity and body weight. The dosage and usability should be carried under proper supervision.Chemotherapy drugs contain side effects if it is taken in high doses.