Introduction
The disease term leukemia is generally understood as “blood cancer“. It is a systemic disease that affects the entire body. Behind the term leukemia hide various diseases of the blood-forming system.
The word origin of the collective term indicates a common feature of malignant cell formation: in many cases there is a significantly increased number of white blood cells. In the bone marrow, not only white and red blood cells but also blood platelets develop from so-called pluripotent stem cells. On the way to functioning white blood cells, immature cells can develop as a result of defective control mechanisms.
They usually multiply faster and thus disturb the production of all other blood cells in the bone marrow. Immature white blood cells reduce the immune defence. Infections occur much more frequently.
The lack of mature blood cells as well as thrombocytes (blood platelets) leads to anemia (lack of blood) and an increased risk of bleeding. A rough distinction is made between acute and chronic leukemias. Acute leukemias are associated with a rapid, severe course of disease that can end in death.
In contrast, chronic leukemias show a much slower and less obvious course. Depending on which white blood cell precursor cells are affected, one speaks of myeloid or lymphatic leukemia. Myeloid leukemia develops from the precursors of granulocytes, while the lymphatic form develops from lymphocytes.
This results in four clinical pictures of leukemia: There are also syndromes as precursors of leukemia and rarer forms such as hairy cell leukemia. The annual number of illnesses in Germany is about 11. 500.
The majority of the ill are people over the age of 60. Approximately 5% of those affected are children under the age of 15. Among adults, chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common forms.
The acute course of lymphatic leukemia is more likely to be leukemia in children. The symptoms of the individual forms of leukemia are similar in their early stages and are characterized by reduced performance, weight loss, fever and signs of anemia. If a disease of the hematopoietic system is suspected, the medical history, a physical examination and an exact blood count provide initial indications. To confirm the diagnosis, a bone marrow puncture, lymph node biopsy and imaging techniques are used.
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
- Acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
