According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, leukemia is a malignant disease (cancer) that originates in a cell in the marrow. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of developing marrow cells. There are two major classifications of leukemia: myelogenous or lymphocytic, which can each be acute or chronic. The terms myelogenous or lymphocytic denote the cell type involved. Thus, four major types of leukemia are: acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Acute leukemia is a rapidly progressing disease that results in the accumulation of immature, functionless cells in the marrow and blood. The marrow often can no longer produce enough normal red and white blood cells and platelets. Anemia, a deficiency of red cells, develops in virtually all leukemia patients. The lack of normal white cells impairs the body’s ability to fight infections. A shortage of platelets results in bruising and easy bleeding. Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly and permits greater numbers of more mature, functional cells to be made.

In the United States, about 2,000 children and 27,000 adults are diagnosed each year with leukemia. The incidence of leukemia is more common in men and boys than girls and women, and also more likely to occur in white people than black Exposure to high-energy radiation (such as World War II atomic bomb explosions) and intense exposure to low-energy radiation from electromagnetic fields (such as power lines and electric appliances like electric blankets) have been linked to leukemia. Studies are being conducted to further understand this link.

There is also a genetic component to leukemia. Certain genetic conditions predispose people to leukemia. For example, those children with Down Syndrome are more likely than the general population to develop this type of cancer.

Another risk factor for developing leukemia is exposure to certain toxic chemicals, such as benzene and formaldehyde. Also, some of the chemotherapy drugs used to treat other types of cancer may increase a person’s risk of getting leukemia. However, this risk is very small when compared with the often-enormous benefits of chemotherapy.

There are many factors that will determine the course of treatment, including age, general health, the specific type of leukemia, and also whether there has been previous treatment.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, we use many tools to help you fight leukemia on all fronts. A powerful combination of traditional and new, innovative therapies are provided by cancer experts who work with you to determine the appropriate combination of therapies, which may include:

—      Autologous Stem Cell Transplant allows for a more aggressive treatment of certain cancers, including leukemia. In an autologous stem cell transplant, you are your own donor. Your bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells are taken from you (harvested), frozen until needed, then given back to you (transplanted) after you have received high doses of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both, to destroy your cancer cells.

—      Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant is when your bone marrow and immune system are replaced with new, healthy bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells from another person. Traditionally, most of the allogeneic stem cell transplants have been performed using stem cells collected from the bone marrow, but the use of peripheral blood stem cells is rapidly increasing.

In addition to traditional cancer treatments, CTCA enriches your treatment by offering complementary and alternative therapies such as naturopathic medicine, nutritional therapy, mind-body medicine, image enhancement and spiritual counseling. CTCA is with you every step of the way in what truly is the fight of your life.

Share This