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LEUKEMIA
By Taylor, Lanny, and Alex
What is it?
 Leukemia is an abnormal rise in the number
of white blood cells. The white blood cells
crowd out other blood cell elements such as
red blood cells and platelets. The elevated
white blood cells are immature and do not
function properly.
Causes?
 Hair dye
 Smoking and tobacco use.
 Being exposed to large amounts of radiation.
 Being exposed to certain chemicals in the
workplace.
 Past chemotherapy or radiation for another cancer.
 Most types of leukemia do not seem to run in
families. But in some cases chronic lymphotic
leukemia does. There are also certain genetic
conditions, like Down syndrome, that can make
acute myelogenous leukemia more likely.
Detection?
 Physical Exam- Doctor will check for physical
signs of leukemia
 Blood Tests- Examine white blood cell count
 Bone Marrow Test- Bone marrow drawn to
look for leukemia cells. Specialized tests of
leukemia cells may reveal certain
characteristics that are used to determine
treatment options.
Stages?
 Unlike most types of cancer, there are no
stages of leukemia used to describe the
progression except for chronic lymphocytic
leukemia.
 There are other ways of classifying these forms
of leukemia. (Acute, Chronic; Lymphocytic,
Myelogenous)
 Even if stages of leukemia are not used to
express the extent of the cancer, it's still
important to know how the disease has
progressed in order to plan treatment.
Stages Cnt…
 Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is the most common type
of leukemia among young children, although adults can
get it as well, especially those over the age of 65.
Survival rates of at least five years range from 85%
among children and 50% among adults.
 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is most common
among adults over 55. 75% of treated CLL patients
survive for over five years.
 Acute Myelogenous Leukemia is more common among
adults than children, and affects males significantly
more often than females. 40% of treated patients
survive for over 5 years
 In Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia the vast majority of
patients are adults. 90% of treated patients survive for
over 5 years.
Effects?
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Fever or chills
Persistent fatigue, weakness
Frequent infections
Losing weight without trying
Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver
or spleen
Easy bleeding or bruising
Tiny red spots in your skin
(petechiae)
Excessive sweating, especially at
night
Bone pain or tenderness
Treatments?
 Treatment decisions are based on
the kind of leukemia you have,
its stage, and your age and general
health.
 Chemotherapy-Using drugs to attack
cancer cells
 Intrathecal chemotherapy treats these
areas by injecting the drugs directly into
your spinal canal
 Radiation therapy uses high doses of
radiation, such as X-rays, to destroy
cancer cells
 Biological therapy works by helping your
immune system recognize and attack
leukemia cells.
 Bone Marrow and Stem cell transplants.
Cure?
 There is no cure but with recent developments
in cancer treatment, new and better ways to
fight leukemia are available.
Prevention?
 There is no known way to prevent leukemia.
 But staying away from factors the can cause
leukemia can decrease your chances of
acquiring it.
Additional Info?
 The prognosis of leukemia depends upon several
factors, including the patient's age, the type of
leukemia, and the extent to which the cancer has
spread.
 New cases: 47,150
Deaths: 23,540
 If the spleen starts destroying red blood cells
and platelets, it may need to be removed.
 People who have leukemia may enter a research
program when they first start treatment or if the
leukemia is not getting better. These programs
test new ways to treat the disease.
Support Groups?
 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
 Cancer Support Community
 American Cancer Society
 Bone Marrow Transplant Support Group
 Adult Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Email
List
Sources
 http://www.resource4leukemia.com/topics/su
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pportgroups.html
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/leukemiatreatment-overview?page=2
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/understandi
ng-leukemia-basics
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/leukemiacause
http://leukemia.emedtv.com/leukemia/stages
-of-leukemia.html