Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects blood cells, especially white blood cells, at various stages of their maturity (from the original cell known as a stem cell to the mature differentiated cell) once produced Bone marrow. These cells, normally responsible for protecting the body from infection, multiply in an anarchic manner and invade the bone marrow, blood and organs. There are several forms of leukemia depending on the type of cells affected and the degree of progression of the disease. What are the causes, symptoms, treatments and prognosis of adult leukemia? Here’s the basic information you need to know.
What are the different types of leukemia?
There are several types of leukemia, which differ in the type of cells affected, the degree of maturity of these cells and the course of the disease.
Thus we distinguish:
Acute leukemia
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which develops from immature cells called lymphoblasts. More common in children and young people.
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which develops from immature cells called myeloblasts. It mainly affects adults and older people.
Chronic leukemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which develops from mature cells called B lymphocytes, primarily affects people over 50 years of age.
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), which develops from mature cells called granulocytes. This mainly affects adults aged 40 to 60 years.
What are the causes of leukemia?
The exact causes of leukemia are not known. not widely known yet but there are risk factors that may contribute to its occurrence.
Among these factors are:
- Age, which is the main risk factor for the development of chronic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia.
- Chromosomal or genetic abnormalities that may be present at birth or acquired during life and that alter the functioning of bone marrow stem cells.
- Exposure to carcinogens, which can damage the DNA of bone marrow stem cells and promote the appearance of abnormal cells.
- Immunodeficiency, whether in the context of an infection such as HIV, or associated with the use of immunosuppressive drugs, or an autoimmune disease; All of these situations can make bone marrow stem cells more vulnerable to external attacks.
What are the symptoms of acute leukemia?
The symptoms of acute leukemia vary, but are generally the direct consequences of a decrease in normal blood cells caused by the invasion of the bone marrow by leukemia cells.
Clinical signs may include:
- A fatigueA dyspnea A pallor or palpitations associated with anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Belonging frequent infections or serious, associated with leukopenia (decreased number of mature white blood cells)
- Belonging bleedingbruising or hematoma due to thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
- Belonging heatweight loss, loss of appetite, or night sweats due to leukemia cell activity.
- Belonging bone pain or joints, enlargement of the lymph nodes, spleen or liver, or skin lesions caused by the accumulation of leukemia cells in these organs.
It is important to be alert and therefore seek advice, especially when these symptoms appear completely suddenly.
Conversely, chronic leukemias rarely cause symptoms. and are often discovered incidentally during a blood test. However, it should be sought in case of persistent fatigue or repeated infections.
Diagnosis of leukemia
Diagnosis of leukemia is based on several medical tests that detect the presence and type of leukemia cells in the body, including:
- Aelectronic blood test, which measures the number and shape of blood cells. Leukemia often presents with anemia (low red blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), and acute leukopenia (abnormal low white blood cell count). On the other hand, CLL is diagnosed in case of leukocytosis (increased number of white blood cells).
- A myelogram (bone marrow tap): a test that can confidently diagnose acute leukemia. It involves taking a sample of tissue from the breastbone or pelvis using a fine needle and analyzing it under a microscope to determine the type of leukemia and how far it has progressed. The diagnosis is confirmed when more than 20% of immature abnormal cells are called explosions.
- Genetic tests, molecular karyotypes, or even DNA sequencing are additional tests that can look for chromosomal mutations specific to certain forms of leukemia. These tests are useful for confirming the diagnosis, determining prognosis and, above all, helping to find therapeutic targets.
What are the treatments for leukemia?
Treatment of leukemia depends on the type, stage, age and general condition of the patient. Its purpose is to destroy leukemia cells and restore normal blood cell production.
Aggressive treatment can be offered immediately to patients in good health beyond the disease and under the age of 75.
The main methods of treatment are: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy.
What is the life expectancy for leukemia?
The prognosis and chances of survival of leukemia depend on many factors, such as the type (acute or chronic, lymphoblastic or myeloblastic leukemia), stage, response to treatment, complications and individual patient factors.
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