Informative Essay On Leukemia
Introduction:-
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children. All cancers begin in cells of the body, and leukemia is a cancer that begins in blood cells. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this process does not work right. In cancer, new cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should.
Leukemia is a cancer that involves the blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes. It is characterized by an uncontrolled production of abnormal, immature blood cells. There are different kinds of childhood leukemia. The most common type is called acute lymphoblastic …show more content…
Generally, it refers to cancers of the WBCs.
3-Etiology and Pathogenesis:
The causes of leukemia are not known. However, several factors have been identified which may increase the risk. These include:
1. Family history of leukemia
2. Smoking, which increases the risk of developing Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
3. Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome
4. Blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndrome, which sometimes called “preleukemia”
5. Previous treatment for cancer with chemotherapy or radiation
6. Exposure to high levels of radiation
7. Exposure to chemicals such as benzene
4-Clinical Manifestations:-
Early symptoms of leukemia are caused by the decrease in the number of mature, functional red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These symptoms can include:
• fevers or night sweats
• frequent infections
• feeling weak or tired
• headache
• bleeding and bruising easily (e.g., bleeding gums, purplish patches or tiny red spots in the skin)
• pain in the bones or joints
• swelling or discomfort in the abdomen
• swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck or armpit
• weight loss
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children. All cancers begin in cells of the body, and leukemia is a cancer that begins in blood cells. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this process does not work right. In cancer, new cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should.
Leukemia is a cancer that involves the blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes. It is characterized by an uncontrolled production of abnormal, immature blood cells. There are different kinds of childhood leukemia. The most common type is called acute lymphoblastic …show more content…
Generally, it refers to cancers of the WBCs.
3-Etiology and Pathogenesis:
The causes of leukemia are not known. However, several factors have been identified which may increase the risk. These include:
1. Family history of leukemia
2. Smoking, which increases the risk of developing Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
3. Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome
4. Blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndrome, which sometimes called “preleukemia”
5. Previous treatment for cancer with chemotherapy or radiation
6. Exposure to high levels of radiation
7. Exposure to chemicals such as benzene
4-Clinical Manifestations:-
Early symptoms of leukemia are caused by the decrease in the number of mature, functional red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These symptoms can include:
• fevers or night sweats
• frequent infections
• feeling weak or tired
• headache
• bleeding and bruising easily (e.g., bleeding gums, purplish patches or tiny red spots in the skin)
• pain in the bones or joints
• swelling or discomfort in the abdomen
• swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck or armpit
• weight loss