B Lymphocytic Leukemia Essay

I am a Pediatric hematologist/oncologist and a physician scientist with specific interest in pediatric leukemia. After graduating from medical school in India, and completing residency training Pediatrics, I joined Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital for fellowship training in Hematology-Oncology in 2010. After the initial clinical year, I pursued basic science and translational research under the mentorship of Dr. Sinisa Dovat. I successfully obtained funding from Hyundai 'Hope on Wheels' foundation and St. Baldrick's foundation to continue my research project beyond fellowship training period. Results of our study showed that, Ikaros function in leukemia is impaired by pro-oncogenic Casein Kinase II (CK2) and that inhibition of CK2 restores

Lymphoma or lymphatic cancer is a very serious and life threatening disease. In this country there is an estimated 63,900 new cases, 7,100 of which are Hodgkin’s lymphoma as opposed to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Since around the 70’s the occurrence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has almost doubled while the occurrence of Hodgkin’s disease has declined. (Steen, 1993)

Leukemia is cancerous disease that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the blood-stream (National Cancer Institute, 2008, para. 1). It is one of many complicated cancer diseases that affect all ages and have very negative outcomes if not treated properly, and on time. Within the disease are several different types that affect according to how quickly the disease develops and attacks the body. It could be classified as chronic leukemia, which has a slow progress of getting worse or acute leukemia which usually gets worse quickly. The types of leukemia also can be grouped based on the white blood cell that is affected (National Cancer Institute , 2008, p. 1).

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a non-profit organization focused on finding a cure for blood cancer and providing their patients with the medical care available. For 65 years, the LLS has been an advocate for blood cancer patients, families, and survivors. In honor of September, Blood Cancer Awareness Month LLS has developed 30 “proof points”, one for each day of the month that displays the organizations success and impact towards finding a cure for blood cancer. With more than $1 billion invested in treatments and research, LLS hopes to reach their goal of $400,000 during Blood Cancer Awareness Month to continue their efforts in creating a world without blood cancer.

How Leukemia starts is with the DNA of immature blood cells, mainly white cells, that get damaged somehow. That causes blood cells to grow chaotically without stopping like the body tells it to. If you didn't know normal cells die after a while and are replaced by a new one which are produced in the bone marrow. Abnormal cells don't die so easily and that is why when they keep multiplying they occupy more and more space and then the normal cells

There are at least 30 different entities referred to as non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and they range from the indolent to the very aggressive. Taken together, the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are the fifth most common cancers in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death due to cancer 1. More than 356,000 cases are diagnosed annually with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), however, mortality cases are high as well, evaluated as 192,000 2. NHL is defined as a combination of malignancies originating from T- and B-lymphocytes in the lymph nodes 3, 4. The invasion is not only restricted to the lymphatic system but the central nervous system, the skin, the bone marrow and adrenal glands are commonly affected as well 5, 6. Numerous factors are associated with the progression of NHL as organs

Thesis/argument statement OR main idea statement: Cancer affects children and their families in many ways.

Leukemia is a cancer that affects the bone marrow. The bon marrow is the soft spongy center of the bone that produces blood cells. Leukemia is found in white blood cells or leukocytes. The white blood cells help to fight ff infections and other diseases. Normally, cells produce in an orderly way, but people that have leukemia the cell production gets out of control. The marrow produces too many immature white blood cells called blasts. They are differently shaped and can’t carry out their usual duties.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is slow-progressing or “chronic”, cancer of the blood and bone marrow. CLL is the second most common leukemia in adults and one of the four primary types of leukemia. Certain risk factors have been identified including age, race, sex, family history of blood and bone marrow cancers and chemical exposure. Most people diagnosed with CLL are white males over the age of 60. Occurrence increases with age and a marked increase after 60. Herbicides, insecticides and Agent Orange used in the Vietnam War have shown to increase the risk of developing CLL. There are approximately 15,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

Leukemia is caused by mutations in the bone marrow cells. The cell does not develop properly into a normal mature white blood cell, and becomes cancerous. Abnormal white blood cell is unable to perform its functions. At the same time abnormal cells begin actively proliferate. As a result, the number of cancer cells increases, and they begin to displace healthy cells. This leads to anemia, bleeding, and infection.

The first stage is called induction therapy. With induction therapy, the goal is to kill as many leukemic cells as possible in the blood and bone marrow. Restoring normal blood cell production is also a goal with induction therapy. Consolidation therapy is the second phase. Also called post-remission therapy, the goal is to destroy any remaining leukemia in the body. The third phase is maintenance therapy. The goal of maintenance therapy is to prevent leukemia cells from re-growing. Often, this phase is given in low doses over a period of time, most likely over a few years. Sometimes prevention therapy is given during the phases of treatment. Prevention therapy is given to kill any leukemia in the central nervous system. During prevention, chemotherapy is injected directly into the fluids surrounding the spinal cord. As a whole, the phases of treatment are given over a span of 2-3 years, depending on each

Leukemia is something that we hear about a lot. I believe that people do not understand exactly what leukemia is and how dangerous it can be, I chose this topic to try to help them understand. In this paper I will explain what leukemia is and what treatments you can choose from to treat the cancer.

Jack woke up one morning not feeling well. He felt very weak and could not get out of bed. His mother decided to take him to the doctors. The doctors took many tests to figure out what was making him feel that way. After about an hour or two the doctors got the results back from a blood test. Results that would change Jack’s childhood for the worse. Jack has been diagnosed with Leukemia, a blood cancer. Of course, Jack was not sure what that meant but, his parents became worried beyond belief with the long road ahead of them. Scientists and researchers were all involved in the discovery of Leukemia cancer, which increased knowledge of this cancer, decreased deaths and discovered treatments, and started charity groups to fund research.

Stem cells transplants in cancer patients has been proven to not only help, but in some cases, cure certain types of cancer. I mean that’s crazy, right? Have humans finally found the key to curing THE CANCER for good? With the research that is taking place with stem cells, I would say we are definitely on the right path to solving that supposedly unsolvable puzzle that has plagued mankind for so long.

Once these cells become leukemia cells then they no longer mature nor form normally. These cells may reproduce quickly and not die when they should, or can build up in the bone marrow and begin to crowd other healthy cells.