An online search for “lukina cancer” often leads to information about leukemia, as it is a frequent misspelling of the term. Leukemia is a cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. In individuals with leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells. These cells do not function correctly and can overwhelm the production of healthy blood cells.
The Four Major Types of Leukemia
Leukemia is classified in two ways: by how quickly it develops and by the type of blood stem cell it affects. The first classification separates leukemia into acute, which progresses rapidly, and chronic, which develops more slowly. The second is based on whether the cancer originates in lymphoid or myeloid stem cells, creating the four main types.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common type in young children, though it can also affect adults. It is characterized by the rapid growth of cancerous lymphoid cells. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) affects myeloid stem cells and also progresses quickly. AML is more common in adults than in children and is the most common type of acute leukemia.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent chronic leukemia in adults and rarely affects children, often progressing slowly over many years. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) also primarily affects adults and is characterized by a slow proliferation of myeloid cells. Some individuals with CML may not show symptoms for several years.
Common Symptoms and Risk Factors
The signs of leukemia result from cancerous cells crowding out functional blood cells in the bone marrow. A shortage of red blood cells can lead to anemia, causing fatigue and shortness of breath. When platelet counts are low, individuals may experience easy bruising or bleeding, like frequent nosebleeds. Because the abnormal white blood cells are ineffective, people with leukemia may suffer from recurrent infections and fevers.
While the exact cause for most cases is unknown, researchers have identified several factors that can increase risk. Previous cancer treatments, including certain chemotherapy and radiation therapy, are known risk factors. Exposure to specific industrial chemicals, such as benzene, has also been linked to a higher risk of some types of leukemia.
Genetic predisposition can play a part; for instance, individuals with Down syndrome have a higher incidence of developing acute leukemia. A family history of leukemia can also elevate a person’s risk. However, most people diagnosed with leukemia do not have any known risk factors, suggesting the disease arises from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental influences.
Diagnosis Process
The diagnostic process for leukemia begins when a patient presents with symptoms, leading a doctor to perform a physical exam and review their medical history. During the exam, a physician may look for signs like pale skin from anemia or swollen lymph nodes.
Doctors will order blood tests, with the Complete Blood Count (CBC) being a primary tool. The CBC measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In a person with leukemia, a CBC can reveal abnormally high numbers of white blood cells and lower counts of red blood cells and platelets. The appearance of the cells under a microscope also provides clues.
If blood tests suggest leukemia, a bone marrow biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis. This procedure involves taking a small sample of bone marrow tissue and fluid, typically from the back of the hip bone. A specialist examines the sample to identify cancer cells, confirm leukemia, and determine its specific type for treatment planning.
Overview of Treatment Strategies
Treatment for leukemia is personalized based on its type, the patient’s age, and the disease’s progression. Chemotherapy is a common treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. For acute leukemias, it is often given in phases to induce remission and eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
Targeted therapy uses drugs designed to attack specific vulnerabilities in cancer cells. For example, in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors can target the protein created by the Philadelphia chromosome mutation. This approach can effectively control the disease for many years.
Immunotherapy harnesses the body’s own immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. A stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant, is an intensive procedure to replace diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. This may be an option for patients with aggressive or relapsed leukemia.