Causes of Leukemia

The cause of leukemia is unknown. At present, no one knows what causes leukemia. However, scientists have discovered some risk factors that increase a person’s chance of getting the disease. These may include excess exposure to radiation, or prior treatment for a malignancy, or having had a previous blood disorder. However, most people who develop leukemia do not have any of these risk factors.

CLL is rare in China and Japan, and remains rare among Japanese people who move to the U.S. This suggests that genetic factors play some role in the development of CLL.

It is now known that all cancers, including leukemia, begin as a mutation in the genetic material—the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)—within certain cells. The external or internal causes of such change probably add up over a lifetime. Leukemia begins when one or more white blood cells experience DNA loss or damage. Those errors are copied and passed on to subsequent generations of cells.

Symptoms of Leukemia

Leukemia either causes a shortage of functioning white blood cells - which can impair the immune system - or a buildup of extra white blood cells. In acute leukemias the extra white blood cells are mostly immature whereas in chronic leukemias the white blood cells are mature but still function poorly. In either case, fewer platelets (the type of blood cells that help stop bleeding) are produced causing excessive bleeding. Minor injuries can result hard-to-stop bleeding, and large bruises. Tiny red spots may appear just under the skin.

Leukemia Treatment

Chemotherapy may be used to treat some of the symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, such as fatigue, anemia, or enlarged lymph nodes. It may be necessary to receive blood or platelet transfusions, depending on the person's blood tests. Radiation is occasionally used to treat excessive lymph node enlargement.

The reply is positive Yes. The treatment is in two phases: induction therapy and continuation/maintenance therapy. The important treatment in induction therapy is to reduce the number of leukemia cells and the main aim is to stimulate a remission. The next phase of treatment commences after a patient goes into remission. In this the main act is to destroy any remaining cells and to lengthen the remission period as long as possible.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Surgery is usually not an option. Surgery is usually not an option because leukemia cells can spread to all the organs via the blood stream and the lymph vessels. Radiation therapy is the use of x- rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The replacement of sick bone marrow with healthy and fit bone marrow is called Bone marrow transplantation.

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