Leukemia or blood cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer, but its effects can be very dangerous and life-threatening. Nevertheless, leukemia can be cured nowadays if treated in time.
What is leukemia, blood cancer?
Leukemia or blood cancer is a life-threatening disease that can lead to death in a short time without treatment by a specialist. The insidious thing about the disease is that in the early stages there are no symptoms of blood cancer. The course of the disease without symptoms can extend over several years in chronic leukemia. The patient feels healthy and does not notice what dangerous disease he is carrying. The classification of blood cancer into different forms is based on morphological and immunological characteristics. There are different forms of leukemia: acute myeloid leukemia, (AML),
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Myeloid leukemias originate from progenitor cells. Rare forms of blood cancer are polycythaemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). In polycythaemia vera (PV), the proliferation of erythrocytes in the blood is predominant and other cell series are also affected. In contrast, essential thrombocythemia is exclusively a clotting platelet cancer.
Causes
The causes of blood cancer or leukemia have not yet been conclusively determined. Especially in acute forms of this disease, it is difficult to find the cause. Under no circumstances should the disease be brought into a
be associated with pathogenic facts. Rather, there are potentially triggering factors. For example, chemicals of various kinds. Or a previous treatment with cytostatics. A particular danger is posed by ionizing radiation and viruses of the most diverse origin. In addition, a family history of genetic predisposition poses an increased risk of developing blood cancer. It is known for certain that radioactive radiation is a trigger for leukemia. This can be a short-term high exposure, such as a nuclear accident, or a longer-term low exposure, such as radiation from a nuclear reprocessing plant. However, there are also other factors that should not be underestimated that can cause blood cancer to develop. Above all smoking and too much negative stress are to be mentioned here. The disease itself is not bound to any age, even children are not spared from it. Every year, up to 600 children are newly diagnosed with this disease, the causes are largely unknown. There are current studies of the children’s cancer registry in Mainz, which have found that a disease with Down’s disease favors the development of blood cancer. A low risk is caused by ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Negative
factors are excessive birth weight and infertility treatment before pregnancy.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Leukemia is noticeable in the early stages with very nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, a decreased ability to perform, noticeable pallor of the skin, and fatigue. Other signs may include dizziness, heavy night sweats and headaches. Frequent bleeding from the gums or nose, small skin bleedings (petechiae) or an increased tendency to bruises suggest an increased bleeding tendency, which together with a disturbance of the general condition can indicate leukemia. Other alarm signs include a persistent increase in body temperature without apparent cause, enlarged lymph nodes, and weight loss. Due to the impaired immune defense, infections occur more frequently, and many affected persons complain of shortness of breath that sets in even with slight exertion. Swollen lymph nodes may be palpable, especially in the neck, groin and armpits. As the disease progresses, the spleen and liver are usually palpably enlarged as well. Bone pain and vague skin rashes also occasionally occur in the course of leukemia. Involvement of the meninges can result in headaches, visual disturbances, increased sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting. While symptoms rapidly worsen in acute leukemia, they may remain constant for a long time in chronic forms of the disease. Chronic leukemia often causes no symptoms in the early stages and is discovered only by chance during a blood test. Typical symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Constantly tired
- Pale skin
- Punctate , small hemorrhages under the skin
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- Mild, persistent fever, although no infection is present
- Bone pain
- Sweating, mostly at night
- Frequent infections, so immune deficiency
- Swollen lymph nodes, e.g. under the armpits and the groin
Disease progression
The course of leukemia is that numerous leukemia cells in the blood can be detected by a blood test at the doctor’s office. Physical symptoms also occur, such as fatigue and physical exhaustion. Once the disease is diagnosed, it is important to regularly examine the blood and bone marrow to determine in what numbers the leukemia cells are multiplying. The patient often notices a constant drop in performance in everyday life and a tendency to bleeding or persistent infections. Disturbed organ functions can cause additional complaints. In order to alleviate the effects and accompanying symptoms of the disease, regular check-ups with a specialist are very important. The chances of recovery are greater the sooner the patient decides to start treatment.
Complications
Leukemia can cause various complications. This risk is especially prevalent when the immune system is severely weakened. For this reason, patients are exceedingly susceptible to infections, which is true of all forms of blood cancer. One of the most common sequelae of leukemia is anemia. This is due to the fact that the red blood cells are literally overrun by the white blood cells. Anemia is manifested by pronounced chronic fatigue and listlessness. This condition can be aggravated by the drugs administered against the blood cancer. Another typical complication is prolonged bleeding. Thus, wounds that develop are closed more slowly due to the leukemia. Occasionally, the resulting blood loss is so intense that the patient faints. Even a blood transfusion may be necessary. Intense bleeding also includes nosebleeds and bleeding gums. It is not uncommon for hematomas (bruises) to appear. Pain is also not an uncommon consequence of leukemia. For example, bone marrow expands inside the bones. In severe cases, the affected persons are restricted in their movements. Another consequence is the enlargement or swelling of the kidneys. If the B cells lose their ability to function due to the blood cancer, there is a risk of frequent infections. Some of these are so serious that they place a heavy burden on the patient. Without appropriate treatment or its positive course, leukemia takes a fatal outcome.
When should you go to the doctor?
A visit to the doctor should be made if there is a persistent diffuse feeling of illness. If there is persistent fatigue, physical weakness after performing normal tasks, or an increased need for sleep, a physician should be consulted. If the affected person suffers from shortness of breath during minor exertion or activities, the abnormality must be clarified by a physician. A loss of the usual level of performance, lassitude and faintness are indications that should be investigated. A doctor is needed if there are headaches, changes in skin appearance, itching, or a frequent tendency to bleed. Repeated bleeding from the nose or gums indicate conditions that need treatment. Enlarged lymph, increased susceptibility to infection or swelling on the body should be presented to a physician. If there is a feeling of tightness and difficult breathing, a doctor should be consulted. If bone pain, rashes, changes in vision, or sudden sensitivity to light occur, a physician should be consulted. Nausea, vomiting and general malaise should also be investigated and treated. If unwanted weight loss occurs, this should be seen as a warning sign from the organism. A physician should be consulted so that the cause of the weight loss can be determined. Night sweating despite optimal sleeping conditions indicates an existing irregularity. If the complaints persist for several weeks, a visit to the doctor is advisable.
Treatment and therapy
Therapy and treatment of leukemia are performed with cystostatics.Complementary treatment options are the high-dose therapies with autologous stem cell infusion. Then there is the possibility of bone marrow transplantation. Prophylactic and therapeutic radiotherapy is of secondary importance. In recent years, new possibilities have emerged for the administration of antibodies.
of antibodies have emerged. There are also new drugs against blood cancer that intervene directly in the course of the disease, such as Imatineb. The goal of treatment is to push back the cancer cells and, if possible, destroy them completely. Depending on the type and spread of leukemia, it is necessary to create an individual treatment and therapy plan with the doctor. Since blood cancer spreads to all organs, it is not possible to remove it by surgery. Therefore, chemotherapy is performed with cell growth inhibiting drugs cystostatics. In addition, radiation is necessary in some cases. To achieve the best possible effect, it is possible to combine different cystostatics. In myeloid leukemia, initiation therapy is given first, followed by consolidation therapy, which should last at least one year to avoid relapses.
Outlook and prognosis
The chances of survival for many patients with leukemia are much better today than they were many years ago. Modern treatment options are increasingly improving the chances of cure. However, if the leukemia is too far advanced, then appropriate treatments can at least help to alleviate the symptoms and prolong life somewhat. However, the prognosis for leukemia always depends on various factors and differs from patient to patient. First of all, the type and stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis play a decisive role. The patient’s response to therapy is also important. In addition, the patient’s age and general condition and possible concomitant diseases also influence the chances of cure and life expectancy. Acute leukemia is generally curable. The chances of recovery are greater the earlier the disease is diagnosed and treated. This is especially true for young patients. If treatment is not received, patients die from acute treatment about three months after diagnosis. With treatment, life expectancy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia can be increased to about five years. Even pushing back the cancer does not guarantee a complete cure. It is possible for a relapse to occur months and even years later. The sooner the relapse occurs, the lower the chances of cure. If chronic leukemia is diagnosed, then the cancer cells multiply much more slowly. In this case, treatment is not as intensive as in acute courses, but it is necessary in the long term. Chronic leukemia cannot be cured, but therapy can alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Aftercare
Without treatment, the health condition will worsen. Death may eventually result, depending on age and leukemia type. Follow-up care is primarily aimed at reducing symptoms. Regular examinations by the attending physician are necessary to ensure appropriate drug administration and to arrange for a change in case of intolerance. In addition
The two forms of chronic leukemia, acute and chronic, pose different potential dangers. In the acute form, deterioration of the condition occurs immediately, whereas in the chronic form it is more gradual. Follow-up care is intensive or less intensive depending on the form of progression. Since leukemia patients have poor wound healing, they should take care in their daily lives not to injure themselves. Rest and plenty of sleep also promote general well-being, as does a balanced diet.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Leukemia is a serious disease and must be treated by a doctor. However, the patient can do something additional for his healing after consultation with the attending physician. This includes taking nutritional supplements such as vitamins and minerals that can strengthen the body. Alternative healing methods should only be considered if the attending physician has been consulted beforehand. In addition to the physical complaints, there are often mental complaints as well.When leukemia occurs, the patient’s social environment is very important. The support that the patient receives from family, partner and friends contributes significantly to the healing of the psychological symptoms. Treatment by a psycho-oncologist can also serve as a professional support for the patient. Self-help groups on the subject of leukemia can also be very helpful for the patient. The exchange with other affected persons can have a relieving effect on the patient. In addition, those affected can exchange information about the therapy and life circumstances and thus provide mutual support. In this way, those affected can benefit from the experiences of others and they get the feeling of not being alone with their problems regarding the disease.
