Blood Cancer (Leukemia)

Leukemia is a type of cancer that manifests itself with the overgrowth of blood cells, especially white blood cells.

Leukemias are cancers that affect the blood production system (lymphatic system and bone marrow) in the body. Leukemias are classified as acute or chronic (subdivided according to their appearance under the microscope) and according to the extent and development of the tumor. In general, acute leukemias occur in children, while chronic leukemias tend to occur more in adults. There are types of blood cancer according to the cell type (such as myeloid, lymphoid) and the duration of the disease (acute, chronic).

Symptoms

Although there are different types of leukemia, the most common symptoms are as follows;

Large palpable lymph node (especially in the armpit or neck)

Fever of unknown cause

Night Sweats

Frequent Recurring Infections

Persistent weakness, fatigue

Bleeding and bruises on the skin that occur spontaneously or easily

unexplained fever

Pain in the body, especially in the bones and joints

Risk factors

Factors defined as risk factors are those that increase the probability of developing a disease. However, the point that should be mentioned here is that; The fact that a person has one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that that person will develop that cancer/or disease. There are people who have risk factors but do not develop disease/cancer.

Although the cause of the development of leukemia is not known, the known risk factors are;

Very high levels of radiation exposure, such as atomic bombs,

Some chemicals (like Benzene)

Having a history of chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Some genetic disorders (such as Down Syndrome)

Having a number of blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndrome

Cigarette

family history

Diagnosis

The most commonly used diagnostic methods in the diagnosis of leukemia are;

blood tests

Bone marrow biopsy,

Treatment

Treatment schemes vary according to the types and stages of the disease. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and bone marrow transplantation are the main treatment modalities.