Draft
Introduction
Approximately 142,000 people are currently afflicted with leukemia. Another 30,200 cases will be diagnosed in the United States this year and approximately 22,100 individuals will die from the disease (Lackritz, 2003). There are two major kinds of leukemia: chronic and acute. About half of all leukemia patients suffer from the acute types, while half are afflicted with the chronic types. Most cases of leukemia occur in older adults, more than half of all cases occurring in people over 60. Nevertheless, younger adults are being diagnosed with leukemia, perhaps because of the greater use of blood testing in current medical practice.
Acute leukemia is a rapidly progressing disease that affects red and white blood cells and platelets (cells that allow the blood to clot) that are not yet fully developed, meaning these cells cannot carry out their normal functions. This type of leukemia is divided into two categories, depending on the cell type involved (Fox News, 2012). If the disease involves the lymphocytes it is called acute lymphocytic leukemia, but if it affects the myelocytes( immature cells that become metamyelocytes) it is known as acute myelogenous leukemia.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of the disease in children, while acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) occurs mostly in older people (Emanuel). Leukemia is the leading cause of death from disease in children under age 15, with approximately 2,300 new cases of ALL being diagnosed among youngsters ages 0 to 14 this year. Leukemia affects 10 times as many adults as children, but it is rapidly becoming more curable in children than in adults as greater resources are being expended in that effort.
Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly and permits greater numbers of fully developed blood cells to grow, allowing these cells to carry out some of their normal functions. This type of leukemia is also divided into two major types. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and
Approximately 142,000 people are currently afflicted with leukemia. Another 30,200 cases will be diagnosed in the United States this year and approximately 22,100 individuals will die from the disease (Lackritz, 2003). There are two major kinds of leukemia: chronic and acute. About half of all leukemia patients suffer from the acute types, while half are afflicted with the chronic types. Most cases of leukemia occur in older adults, more than half of all cases occurring in people over 60. Nevertheless, younger adults are being diagnosed with leukemia, perhaps because of the greater use of blood testing in current medical practice.
Acute leukemia is a rapidly progressing disease that affects red and white blood cells and platelets (cells that allow the blood to clot) that are not yet fully developed, meaning these cells cannot carry out their normal functions. This type of leukemia is divided into two categories, depending on the cell type involved (Fox News, 2012). If the disease involves the lymphocytes it is called acute lymphocytic leukemia, but if it affects the myelocytes( immature cells that become metamyelocytes) it is known as acute myelogenous leukemia.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of the disease in children, while acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) occurs mostly in older people (Emanuel). Leukemia is the leading cause of death from disease in children under age 15, with approximately 2,300 new cases of ALL being diagnosed among youngsters ages 0 to 14 this year. Leukemia affects 10 times as many adults as children, but it is rapidly becoming more curable in children than in adults as greater resources are being expended in that effort.
Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly and permits greater numbers of fully developed blood cells to grow, allowing these cells to carry out some of their normal functions. This type of leukemia is also divided into two major types. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and