Leukemia :: essays research papers

LeukemiaLeukemia strikes all ages and both sexes. In 1995 approximately 20,400people died from Leukemia. The all time five year natural selection rate is 38%. Thisrate has gone to 52% in the middle 1980s. Approximately 25,700 cases werereported in 1995 alone(American Cancer Society-leukemia, 1995).Leukemia is a form of genus Cancer in the phone line cells. Most forms of Leukemiaoccur in the ashen blood cells. These abnormal cells reproduce in largequantities and look and perform differently than normal cells(MedicineNet-leukemia, 1997).Right now the causes of Leukemia be unknown. Some studies have shown that ikon to high-energy radiation increases chances of contracting leukemia.Such radiation was produced in the nuclear bombing of Japan during World War II.There is also bounteous energy in nuclear plants so strict safety precautions artaken. Some research shows that exposure to electric magnetic fields, such aspower lines and electric appliances, is a possible risk factor. More studies are needed to prove this link. Some genetic conditions, such as bundles syndrome,are also believed to increase the risk factor. Exposure to few chemicals isalso suspected to be a risk factor. By education the causes of leukemiatreatment options will become available(MedicineNet-leukemia, 1997).There are many symptoms of leukemia. The symptoms of leukemia are the samefor all the different types of leukemia. The acute types of leukemia, ALL andAML, symptoms are seen much quickly than in the chronic types of leukemia, CLLand CML, where symptoms do not necessarily come out right away. The symptoms areflu symptom, weakness, fatigue, constant infections, easily bleed and bruise, issue of weight and appetite, swollen lymph nodes, liver or spleen, paleness,bone or roast pain, excess sweating, swollen or bleeding gums, nosebleeds andother hemorrhages, and red floating policy called petechiae located underneath the skin.In acute Leukemia the cancerous cells may hive up a round the central nervoussystem. The results can include headaches, vomiting, confusion, loss of musclemancontrol, or seizures. These clumps of cancer cells can collect in other unhomogeneousparts of the body(MedicineNet-leukemia, 1997 and American Cancer Society-leukemia, 1995).Leukemia can be diagnosed in a number of ways. Blood work is commonlydone in the laboratory. unlike forms of blood work include checking thehemoglobin count, platelet count, or white blood cell count. X-rays areroutinely done for treatment follow-up. echography is also used as a treatmentfollow-up. CT discern is a special type of x-ray used as a detailed cross sectionof a specific area of the body. machinate marrow is routinely tested to examineprogress of the disease. Spinal taps are also used in certain types of cancers.