Leukemia: What is Leukemia?
Leukemia occurs when your bone marrow begins producing abnormal white blood cells. Over time,
these abnormal white cells can overtake normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets,
impairing the blood's ability to deliver nutrients throughout your body.
Doctors group leukemia into four classifications:
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Most common in people age 55 and older; extremely rare in children
- Chronic myeloid leukemia: Affects mainly adults, with about 4,400 new diagnoses each year
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia: The most common type of leukemia in young children; it also affects adults
- Acute myeloid leukemia: Common in both adults and children, accounting for more than 10,000 diagnoses each year
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Common Symptoms
Consult a medical professional if you experience these symptoms:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Frequent infections
- Frequent bruising
- Bone or joint pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal swelling
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Common Treatment Options
Treatment options will vary depending on the type of Leukemia. The most common treatment methods include:
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a non-surgical method of treatment of cancer and other diseases using penetrating
beams of high-energy waves called x-rays or gamma rays. Radiation injures or destroys tumor cells by
damaging their genetic material, making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow.
There are two types of radiation therapy:
External-beam radiation therapy: Specialized medical equipment is used to deliver radiation to the tumor
site from outside the body
Internal radiation therapy: Radioactive material is placed in the body near the cancer cells (also called
implant radiation or brachytherapy)
Radiation is sometimes used to treat leukemia that has spread to the brain and spinal fluid or to the testicles.
Radiation to several parts of the body is often an important part of treatment before a bone marrow or
peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing
the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally or by injection
depending on the type and stage of the cancer and the drug protocol your doctor has prescribed. It is important
to discuss your treatment protocol with your treatment team so you are aware of any possible side effects.
