Causes and Symptoms of Leukemia

According to the National Cancer Institute, 43, 000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with Leukemia this year and approximately 22, 000 people will die with the disease. Leukemia is a cancer on the blood or bone marrow where there is an abnormal increase in white blood cells. This increase ends up in impaired blood functioning causing enlargement from the lymph nodes, liver, and/or spleen, and ends up in the body's inability to combat infections. There are 4 forms of Leukemia which include: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Serious Myelogenous Leukemia Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Severe Myeloid LeukemiaChild and adult versions of both acute kinds of leukemia exist, with acute lymphocytic leukemia being by far the most common in children. Although scientists are certainly not certain on the exact factors behind leukemia, researchers believe that quite a few factors may increase the chance. Many of these risks involve "exposure" to man-made toxic elements for example: radiation, hazardous chemicals (benzene, pesticides, formaldehyde), health-related treatments like chemotherapy in addition to radiation, high voltage energy lines, and cigarette smoke a pipe. However, these "exposures" never explain all leukemia cases as well as the disease can have different genetic and non-genetic causes. Leukemia symptoms can vary from patient to patient dependant upon whether it is acute or chronic. Some popular and shared symptoms associated with leukemia include: Fever, chills, evening sweats. Fatigue, weakness as well as tiredness. Frequent and recurrent infections (caused by inable functioning of white blood vessels cells). Easy bruising and bleeding (caused with a decreased number of platelets which usually helps the blood to help clot). Loss of appetite, and weight loss. Anemia (caused with a low concentration of nutritious red blood cells). Soft or swollen lymph nodes (in that neck and armpit area). Soft or swollen liver. Discomfort inside the abdomen (causes by a swollen spleen). Breathing troubles. Leukemia symptoms can possibly be similar with other health concerns and only a doctor can establish an accurate diagnosis. The treatment technique for leukemia differs via patient to patient, out of one leukemia type to another, and from any leukemia stage or stage to another. Treatment options can include more than one of the following: Chemotherapy Radiation Bone Marrow TransplantationTwo new treatment approaches that contain achieved great results include: Targeted Therapy, and Neurological Therapy (also called immunotherapy). Targeted therapy blocks this production of leukemia tissues without killing healthy cells if you use new drugs called Gleevic (Imatinib), along with Mylotarg (Gemtuzamab ozogamicin). Biological Therapy uses your bodys immune system to combat cancer, or to decrease along side it effects caused by the actual cancer treatment.