THE leukemia it is a disease, usually of unknown origin, that affects our defense cells (leukocytes). In this disease, a cell mutates into a cancer cell, which does not function properly and is able to divide much more quickly than a normal cell. This cell, which also has lower mortality than normal, gradually replaces healthy bone marrow cells.
A leukemia is called acute when it progresses quickly and is called chronic when disease progression is slow. According to the National Cancer Institute (Inca), there are more than 12 distinct types of leukemia. Also according to the institute, the expectation was 10,810 new cases in 2020.
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What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a disease characterized by loss of function and disorderly division of white blood cells or leukocytes, cells responsible for our body's defense. leukemia starts in bone marrow, which is where blood cells are produced. In the bone marrow, neoplastic cells increase their proliferation, which affects the production of normal blood cells.
At causes of leukemia are not generally known., however, some factors are proven to be associated with the development of the disease, such as radiation and benzene. Other risk factors for developing leukemia include smoking, exposure to certain chemicals — such as formaldehyde — family history, Down's syndrome, exposure to pesticides, among others.
Leukemia symptoms
The symptoms of leukemia are often unspecific, and fatigue, headache, fever, sweating may occur. nocturnal, bone and joint pain, weight loss, pallor, abdominal discomfort, bruises, nausea and vomiting. In these patients, an increased incidence of infections.
Types of Leukemia
Leukemias can be classified according to the cells they affect, in myeloid and lymphocytic. Myeloid leukemias affect myeloid cells, which are the ones that give rise to the Red Cells, platelets, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. Lymphocytic leukemias are those that affect lymphoid cells, that is, the cells that give rise to lymphocytes.
Leukemias can be further classified into acute or chronic, taking into account the speed of worsening of the disease. When leukemias are said to be chronic, they get worse slowly. The acute ones are characterized by a faster worsening of the disease.
Taking into account the cells that affect and the speed at which the disease worsens, Inca highlights four most common types of leukemia.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: as the name implies, it is a leukemia that affects cells lymphoid and has a slow evolution. This type of leukemia rarely affects children and is more often seen in people over 55 years of age. It usually does not lead to the development of symptoms, however the patient may experience tiredness, night sweats, weight loss and enlarged nodes.
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia: like chronic lymphoid leukemia, this type of leukemia affects lymphoid cells. However, it differs by presenting a rapid evolution. It occurs in adults, but affects children more often. Some of the symptoms that can appear in this type of leukemia are pain in the bones, joints and head, increased infections, appearance of bruises, hemorrhages, tiredness, dizziness, vomiting and paleness.
- Chronic myeloid leukemia: reaches the myeloid cells and slowly worsens. It occurs most frequently in adults. Its symptoms are not specific, including tiredness, fever, weight loss, sweating, appearance of bruises and enlargement of the spleen, which causes discomfort.
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia: it also affects myeloid cells, but differs from the last type studied in that it worsens rapidly. It affects both adults and children, however there is an increase in incidence with age. It can cause symptoms such as recurrent infections, pallor, fever, bone pain, onset of bruises, weight loss, loss of appetite, enlarged spleen and liver, bleeding and enlarged nodules lymphatics.
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Leukemia Diagnosis
The diagnosis of leukemia, as well as that of several other diseases, must be done early, in order to ensure greater success in the treatment. For this, it is essential that the patient does not ignore symptoms and seek a doctor when noticing, for example, the appearance of persistent infections, enlargement of nodes and the appearance of bruises in the body.
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will analyze the patient's clinical condition and tests such as blood count and coagulation tests. To confirm the diagnosis, however, the myelogram, which consists of the removal of blood bone marrow for more specific analyses. The doctor may also request a bone marrow biopsy.
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Leukemia treatment
Leukemia treatment depends on factors such as the type of leukemia and the patient's health status. Among the existing treatments, we can mention the chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation.
O Bone marrow transplant it is one of the most remembered procedures when it comes to leukemia treatment. It consists of destroying the sick patient's spinal cord and receiving a healthy marrow. The transplant can be autogenic or allogeneic, being the autogenic transplant performed with the patient's own marrow and the allogeneic one from a donor's marrow. The transplant can also be done from marrow precursor cells, obtained from the blood of the umbilical cord or in the circulating blood of a donor.
It is important to make it clear that to donate bone marrow, it is necessary that the donor is compatible with the recipient, so that the marrow is not rejected. As this compatibility is not always easy to find, it is essential that people sign up as volunteer marrow donors, thus increasing the chances of these patients to get the transplant. Registration can be done at all blood centers in the country. It is worth noting that the procedure involves little risk to the donor, pain in the puncture site, headache and tiredness are usually observed. The donor's bone marrow recovers fully after about two weeks.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/o-que-e-leucemia.htm