Leukemia or blood cancer is a type of cancer that results from the rapid and abnormal growth of cells in the bone marrow. The abnormal, uncontrolled cells enter into the bloodstream. It is important to note that blood cancer, unlike other cancers, does not originate from a solid tumor.
There are different types of leukemia. Some types affect children more whereas other types usually victimize the adults. Treatment of leukemia depends on the type of the disease and other factors.
What Are Different Types of Leukemia?
The best medical oncologist in Kolkata classifies leukemia on the basis of the type of cells involved in developing leukemia and the speed of disease progression.
Based on Cell Type:
Myeloid Leukemia: This type develops from the myeloid cells. It is also called myelogenous. Normal myeloid cells form red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and platelets.
Lymphocytic Leukemia: This type develops from the lymphoid cells. White blood cells, being integral to the immune system, are in the first line of the body’s defense mechanism. In this type of leukemia, lymphoid cells form white blood cells.
Based on Speed of Disease Progression:
Acute Leukemia: As the name suggests, the cells involved in causing this type of leukemia divide very rapidly and it leads to quick progression of the disease. The patients with acute leukemia feel very sick within a few weeks of the disease formation. It is the commonest type of cancer in children.
Chronic Leukemia: This type of leukemia involves both mature and immature cells. Chronic leukemia makes a slow progress unlike acute leukemia. This type is more commonly found in adults.
In addition to these four major types of leukemia, several other variations exist according to the best surgical oncologist in Kolkata.
What Are the Symptoms of Leukemia?
The kind of symptoms one will experience depends on the type of leukemia he/she has. However, the commonest symptoms include:
- Feeling fatigue for no apparent reasons
- Weakness that does not go away
- Unintended weight loss
- Fever
- Pale skin
- Easy bleeding and bruising (For example, bleeding gums or nosebleeds)
- Tiny red spots on skin (petechiae)/purplish patches on skin
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Swollen lymph nodes under arms, in neck, stomach or groin
- Frequent infections
- Shortness of breath
- Night sweats
- Feeling full or pain under the ribs on the left side
In case of chronic leukemia, the patients may have no noticeable symptoms in the primary stage of the disease.
Are Some People More Prone to Developing Leukemia?
It is still unknown what triggers DNA mutations that cause leukemia. However, the scientists and oncologists have identified some factors that elevate one’s risk of developing the disease. These factors include:
- Previous cancer treatment that involved chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- Long-term exposure to industrial chemicals, especially the cancer-causing agents like formaldehyde and bronze
- Suffering a genetic disorder such as, Klinefelter syndrome, neurofibromatosis, down syndrome or Schwachman-Diamond syndrome
- History of smoking
Anyone can develop leukemia. Someone, who has none of the afore-mentioned risk factors, can also get the disease. Remember that leukemia is not contagious; you will not get the disease from someone having leukemia.