In February 2014, International Agency for Research on Cancer (GLOBOCAN) published that 14.1 million new cases of cancer occurred globally. Cancer is a generic terminology used to refer to the unrestrained proliferation of abnormal cells. This growth may be malignant or benign. The term used to refer to the malignant cancer of the blood cells is leukemia. As of the year 2012, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) reports that leukemia represents a percentage of 2.5% of all cancers with 352 cases diagnosed per 1000. From a regional perspective, Qatar ranks at the 24th position for leukemia with a rate of 5.4 deaths per 100,000 as documented by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2011. This paper covers an introduction into leukemia supported by epidemiological facts and focuses on acute lymphocytic leukemia, the possible triggers and ongoing research within this field.
Under clinical and pathological aspects, leukemia is divided at two levels. The first level of division is based on the kind of blood cells affected i.e. the myeloid and lymphocytic lineages. The myeloid lineages are derived from the precursors of cells (particularly neutrophils and its precursor) involved in innate immunity whereas the lymphoid lineages are derived from precursors of cells involved with adaptive immunity. The second level of division is based on the progression of the disease i.e. acute or chronic. An acute progression indicates the rapid development of the disease with a predominance of
Leukemia is a cancer of blood cells, specifically white blood cells that are responsible for fighting infection. However, the abnormal cells in leukemia do not function in the same way as normal white blood cells. Leukemia cells continue to grow and divide, eventually crowding out normal blood cells. The end result is that it becomes difficult for the body to fight infections, control bleeding and transport oxygen (Medicine Net, 2015). It is estimated that each year, approximately 30,800 individuals will be diagnosed with leukemia in the United
According to the American Cancer Society (2013) stated, “Leukemia is a cancer that starts in early blood-forming cells” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “Most often, leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, but some leukemias start in other blood cell types” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “Any of the cells from the bone marrow can turn into a leukemia cell” (American Cancer Society, 2013). According to the American Cancer Society (2013) stated, “Once this change takes place, the leukemia cells don’t go through the normal process of maturing” (American Cancer Society, 2013). There are changes that leukemia cells can quickly reproduce themselves and not die when they are suppose too (American Cancer Society, 2013). “They survive and build up in the bone marrow, crowding out normal cells” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “In most cases, the leukemia cells spill into the bloodstream fairly quickly” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “Almost all childhood leukemia is acute leukemias” (American Cancer Society, 2013).
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).
Leukemia broadly describes conditions that affect erythropoiesis in the bone marrow, lymphatic system, and spleen. As with all other cancers, leukemia begins from the mutation of DNA in certain cells. Classifications of leukemias are based on the age of onset and the leukocyte involved (Lewis et al. 2014, 665). The most common leukemia is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), accounting for approximately 30% of cases in the United States (Copstead and Banasik 2013, 222). The normal function of the bone marrow, spleen, and liver becomes interrupted by the invasion of malignant lymphocytes (B cells); since the B cells are functionally inactive, a patient becomes more susceptible to infections. The sluggish progression of CLL unfortunately leads to late diagnoses and poor prognosis (Lewis et al. 2014, 665). Patients that become symptomatic in later stages will experience fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, and an increased susceptibility to infection, due to abnormal antibody production. Patient specific factors such as age, disease progression, and medication side effects will determine the course of treatment (Copstead and Banasik 2013, 223). The fragile state of patients with CLL requires continuous examination of drug therapy and interventions to prevent further complications.
The town of Woburn, MA was stricken with an epidemic of different types of leukemia, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which affected 8 families. The mere notion that such rare cases occurred within a half mile radius of each other was a call for attention. It is the plaintiff 's claim that these cases were the result of a toxic contamination of the town’s water supply by the defendant 's unintentional, improper disposal of the following chemical waste products: Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Perchlorethylene (PCE). The plaintiff accuses the defendant of the following charges: negligence of chemical procedures including, but not limited to, illegal dumping of TCE, as well as PCE, and wrongful death, resulting from a depraved indifference to human life. Given the pain and suffering the victims and their families have undergone due to the defendant’s gross negligence, the plaintiff asks for compensation for and acknowledgement of wrongdoing on the defendant 's part. The plaintiff also calls for an injunction; in order for the defendant to resume further factory work, the company must propose, and be approved of, new procedures that strictly follow the enforced regulations that ensure the safe disposal of all chemical waste.
Leukemia Leukemia is a group of blood diseases characterized by cancer of the blood forming tissues. It was discovered in Europe during the XIX century when a group of doctors directed by John Hughes Bennett tested their patients and discovered their elevated number of white blood cells. It was then called “white blood” and later was named leukemia from the words greek words “leukos” (white) and “hemia” (blood). Leukemia is a disfunction of the bone marrow stem that over
Approximately every 3 minutes one person in the U.S. get diagnosed with a blood cancer. One of the blood cancer is leukemia. Leukemia is a dangerous disease that affects people across the whole world. Millions of people are fighting against leukemia right now. Leukemia can ruin someone's life. We need to spread awareness and change this.
As established in the National Cancer Institute, “Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide for children and adolescents in America, accounting for more than 91,250 children that lose their lives to this disease” (National Cancer Institute). Cancer is not considered a terminal illness, but more of a chronic illness because of the intense treatment that the individual has to endure. As a result of this treatment the chances of survival for children suffering from pediatric cancer has increased around 80 percent. The increment in the survival rate has made it possible for many parents to not have to go through the acceptance that they are about to lose their child to a terminal illness, but have coping strategies that will make them adapt to the fear of the reoccurrence of that illness. This illness has a great impact on the patient as well as the family because not only do they have to adapt to this illness physically, but also mentally. Research has shown that there are both short term and long term effects that come into effect when the child is both in treatment and also years after the treatment. The type of cancers that these adolescents have to endure range from leukemia, brain tumors and other cancerous tumors that have appeared in recent medical studies. These tumors can either be benignant, an acute case that is non-cancerous or malignant, a cancerous case that will need intense treatment over an extended period of time.While many would say there is more of a
In our world, there are many words that we never want to hear. Cancer happens to be on this horrid list. There is an estimated 7.6 million deaths caused by cancer alone every year. Even though cancer is a dreadful word, it is important to know the facts and that there are many types of cancer, including Leukemia. Leukemia is a very well-known cancer, because of its effect on the human body, and its ability to occur in anyone.
Blood cancer affects the productivity of your blood cells. Usually the cancer starts out in bone marrow. Blood cancer interrupts normal growth with irregularly growing blood cells. Leukemia starts in the bone marrow while Lymphoma begins in the lymph nodes. Lymphoma has two types Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin. Hodgkin’s starts out with an enlarged lymph node. Leukemia is either acute or chronic. The four main types of leukemia are as follows: acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
“Childhood Leukemia survivors are at risk, to some degree, for several possible late effects of their treatment” (Cancer.Net Editorial Board.) Chemotherapy is used to fight Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Although it is a great method to fight cancer, it has many negative side effects. Chemotherapy is known to cause serious or minor long-term side effects.
Childhood Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children and teens, which is a cancer of the white blood cells. Immature white blood cells from the bone marrow to be specific. They quickly travel through the bloodstream and over power the healthy cells. This disease raises the body chances of infections and other problems as well due to the immaturity of white blood cells. Common signs and symptoms includes fever, easy bruising, weakness, weight loss, ad bone and join pain the immature white blood cells can invade organs in the body causing the Lymph nodes to become enlarged.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is a scary disease. The term “acute” means the disease can quickly spread and progress quickly and can prove fatal in months if left untreated. “Lymphocytic” simply means that it develops from immature forms of lymphocytes. Also known as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or ALL for short, it is a type of cancer that starts from the early form of white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow. ALL is the most common form of cancer in children, though adults can get it as well. For children, treatment results in a good chance of a cure. Adults have a significantly smaller chance of a cure with ALL. ALL generally invades the blood very quickly and has the potential to spread to other body parts such as the spleen,
There are two types of leukemia in children; acute and chronic. Acute is fast growing leukemia. Within acute leukemia are three categories: acute lymphocytic (lymphoblastic) leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and hybrid or mixed lineage leukemia. Acute lymphocytic (lymphoblastic) leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood leukemia and develop from early forms of lymphocytes, also known as white blood cells. Specifically, three out of four childhood leukemias are ALL (About Childhood Leukemia). Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) starts from the myeloid cells that create blood forming cells such as white blood cells (except for lymphocytes), red blood cells, and platelets (About Childhood Leukemia). Hybrid or mixed lineage leukemia are rare forms of childhood leukemia, but can be treated like ALL and AML. On the other end of the spectrum is chronic, or slow growing, leukemia. Chronic leukemia is difficult to treat and are more commonly found in adults than children. There are two types of chronic leukemia: chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is not commonly
Leukemia affects your entire body. It starts somewhere in the blood line and spreads through the body. New blood cells are produced in the bone marrow which are mostly red, but when you have leukemia, your body makes more white cells than it needs and can’t fight the infection.