Posts Tagged ‘Acute Leukemia’

Childhood Leukemia and the Help of Stem Cells

Comments: 0November 12th, 2011 by admin



The risk of any child developing leukemia is roughly about only 1 in 2000 with more or less 400 to 450 new cases a year in the United Kingdom only.

Cure rates impending seventy five percents can be achieved with combination chemotherapy, but this figure hide success rates that vary from ten to ninety percent with the different biological subtypes of the malady.

Nowadays, new insights into the underlying molecular biology of leukemia have changed our understanding of the disease. Not only are there a prospect of better treatment and the introduction of the new biologically based therapies, but, as the causes of disease are being unraveled, the possibility of prevention may not just be wishful thinking.

It has been recognized for a very long time that childhood leukemia is not one homogeneous disease. The main morphological division into acute lymphatic leukemia is supplemented by the identification of a range of subsets based on gene expression, antigens that delineate cell type or differentiation status, and chromosomal and molecular abnormalities.

There is now huge confirmation that chromosome trans location is very often the first event in infant twins with acute lymphocyte leukemia, the same breakpoints in the ML gene.

Further evidence that youth leukemia can originate before birth comes from scrutiny of neonatal blood spots or Guthrie cards. PR tests for specific fusion genes, designed for each patient, can detect as few as 1 in 20 leukemic cells in a blood spot. The presence of the same fusion gene sequence in a neonatal blood spot as is in the patient’s leukemic cells at diagnosis provides unequivocal evidence that leukemia, has been initiated prenatally, probably by creation of the fusion gene itself.

If this form of leukemia progress is actually correct, it means that for every child with acute lymphocyte leukemia diagnosed, there should be at least twenty healthy children who have a chromosome trans location, a functional leukemia fusion gene, and a covert per-leukemic clone generated in-uteri.

Cord blood bank can help cure this disease thanks to the stem cells in the cord blood. The cord blood is simply the blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord after a baby is born and can be used because it is so rich in stem cells.

The stem cells found in cord blood restore the function of the patient’s immune and blood producing systems, and is a powerful alternative to using bone marrow.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in leukimia

Leukemia Cancer – Everything You Need to Know

Comments: 0May 11th, 2011 by admin



Leukemia is generally considered and known as blood cancer, where as if considered in its real terms leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells and the platelets. These platelets actually help blood to clot. Additionally when the white blood cells reduce in amount they actually leave the immune system unlocked for attack and the patient sometimes die of a very usual illness like flu. In general the deficiency of normal white cells impairs the body’s ability to struggle against infections. A shortage of platelets results in bruising and easy bleeding whenever there is a need of clot to stop the flow of blood.

All kinds of various acute or chronic diseases of leukemia are dangerous. Acute leukemia being a swiftly succeeding disease affects typically cells that are embryonic or primitive (which means the cells that have not yet fully developed or differentiated from the others). These not fully formed cells thus cannot achieve their standard utility. These cells are described as “nonfunctional” because they do not work like normal cells. They also number out the usual normal healthy cells in the marrow, resulting in a decrease in the number of new healthy normal cells made in the marrow. These later results in low red cell counts which is a typical form of anemia.

On the other hand chronic leukemia develops gradually, and allows the development of larger amounts of more developed cells. In broader perspective, these more grown-up cells can achieve some of their typical functionality but due to the increase in the number of cells like white blood cells the blood flow may slow down and result in severe anemia.

The leukemia is categorized in to four basic categories which are as follows:

o Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
o Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
o Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
o Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

For acute leukemia following are the signs and symptoms of leukemia:

o Fatigue or tiredness
o Shortness of breath during physical activity
o Sluggish curing of cuts and excess bleeding
o Mild fever or night sweats
o Black-and-blue spots (bruises) for no evident cause
o Pinhead-size red spots under the skin
o Pale skin
o Low white cell counts
o Aches in bones or joints

As far as chronic leukemia is concerned people with CLL or CML may not have any symptoms. Some patients learn they have CLL or CML after a blood test as part of a usual checkup. Occasionally, a person with CLL may see enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin and go to the doctor. The person may feel exhausted or short of breath or have frequent infections, if the CLL is more severe. In these cases, a blood test may show an increase in the lymphocyte count.

A comprehensive blood count is utilized to make a diagnosis of leukemia. This blood examination may confirm high or low point of white cells and show leukemic cells within the blood. Sometimes, number of platelet and red cell are fairly low. Bone marrow tests like aspiration and biopsy are often carried out to verify the analysis and to glance for any chromosome irregularities. All these tests spot the leukemia and its cell category. These tests must be continued after regular intervals after treatment commences to gauge how sound the healing is.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

Statistic Data on Leukemia

Comments: 0March 7th, 2011 by admin



Leukemia is the blood cancer form and originates in a malfunctioning bone marrow that tends to produce abnormal red and white cells in an increased rate. The most important four types of Leukemia are the acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia and the acute and chronic lymphocytic Leukemia. The name of the condition stands for the cell type involved.

The acute type of leukemia develops with an increased production of abnormal white cells making the body unable to fight infections; red blood cells and platelets are insufficient and the organism suffers from bruising, bleedings and anemia. Chronic forms of Leukemia are not as aggressive as they give the normal cells time to regenerate.

About 25000 new equal cases of acute and chronic Leukemia appear every ear. Most cases appear in adults and persons over 60 years but the acute lymphocytic Leukemia has an increased rate in children. Annually, about 10000 cases in adults are diagnosed as acute myelogenic Leukemia, 8000 are chronic lymphocytic Leukemia, 500 are chronic myelogenous forms and about 3500 are acute forms of lymphocytic Leukemia. The rest of the cases are unclassified blood cancer types.

All types of Leukemia are most commonly encountered in men than in women. Men subjects cover about 56% of all Leukemia new cases in a year. Americans with European descent seem to be more affected by cancer than those with African origins; about 131000 new cases of cancer are detected in African Americans every year but most of them are not related to blood cancers.

Americans with Indian or Hispanic origins are far more affected by Leukemia than African Americans and about 50% of the cases are encountered in male subjects. Elderly persons are most highly affected inside all populations.
Minority groups like Caucasians are more affected by Leukemia forms than other ethnic groups like Chinese, Japanese and Koreans. European descent children show increased rate of susceptibility compared to African American children.

Most of the new occurred cases of cancer in children below 15 are of Leukemia. About 2500 new cases of acute forms of lymphocytic leukemia are identified in the USA annually and it tends to be the most encountered form of cancer in children. High percents of the cases occur in children aged 3-4 and less in infants or 19 years old patients. In the last 25 years the chance of cure in specialized centers has increased due to new therapy methods.

People over 40 and older persons are more touched by acute myelogenous Leukemia and the secondary Leukemia type found in adults is chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in leukimia

Benzene and Leukemia Information

Comments: 0November 21st, 2010 by admin



Benzene Leukemia Exposure

Benzene exposure has been linked in numerous studies to causing leukemia. Exposure to benzene and the development of leukemia or benzene related leukemia have been highly publicized over the recent years. Statistcs are showing that there are approximatly, 10,000 benzene related leukemia deaths per year in the US alone.

Benzene Information

Benzene is a known carcinogen in humans and causes benzene related cancer. Breathing benzene vapors may cause immediate death and other exposures to the chemical have been linked to various forms of leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

Interesting Benzene Leukemia Facts

1. The use of benzene as a solvent was banned in the United States more then 20 years ago.

2. Benzene ranks # 6 on the CERCLA Hazerdous Substance List.

3. Almost 300,000 people per year are exposed to benzene in the workplace.

Benzene Leukemia Side Effects

Benzene is a known carcinogen in humans and causes benzene related cancer. Breathing benzene vapors may cause immediate death and other exposures to the chemical have been linked to various forms of leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

Acute Benzene Side Effects

Acute (short-term) exposure will commonly be associated with the following benzene side effects:

1. Irritation of the eyes and skin

2. Irritation of the nose and throat

3. Dizziness and lightheadedness

4. Headache and vomiting

5. Convulsions and coma

6. Rapid heart beat

7. Sudden death

Chronic Benzene Side Effects

Chronic (long-term) exposure will commonly be associated with the following benzene side effects:

1. Benzene Cancer

2. Leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

3. Reproductive harm (teratogen – an agent that can cause malformations of an embryo or fetus)

4. Drying and scaling of the skin

5. Damage to blood cells? aplastic anemia

Is there a medical test to show whether I have been exposed to benzene?

Several tests can show if you have been exposed to benzene. There is test for measuring benzene in the breath; this test must be done shortly after exposure. Benzene can also be measured in the blood, however, since benzene disappears rapidly from the blood, measurements are accurate only for recent exposures.

In the body, benzene is converted to products called metabolites. Certain metabolites can be measured in the urine. However, this test must be done shortly after exposure and is not a reliable indicator of how much benzene you have been exposed to, since the metabolites may be present in urine from other sources.

Other Benzene Leukemia Resources

If you or a family member have been diagnosed with benzene related leukemia there are many helpful resources on the Internet. Most notably, The Leukemia Society and The Benzene Leukemia Orginization.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in leukimia

Risks Linked to Leukemia

Comments: 0October 30th, 2010 by admin



While all the causes of leukemia are still not known, there are risks that have been linked to the development of various types of leukemia. There have been both environmental as well as genetic factors that have shown up as links to leukemia.

The type of leukemia a person has usually depends on the type of abnormal white blood cells that are being produced in the body. Leukemia produces abnormal or immature white blood cells in the bone marrow. At an early development of white blood cells, a blast is the immature form of white blood cells. This is the stage between the stem cell in the bone marrow and the mature blood. Blasts (immature blood cells) are found in limited numbers in the bone marrow of healthy people and not at all in the blood stream. People with leukemia may have high numbers of blasts in the bone marrow and even circulating throughout the circulatory system.

The different types of leukemia are grouped as acute or chronic. An acute leukemia usually produces immature white blood cells that are non-functioning. These cells rapidly reproduce and crowd out the healthy cells. A chronic leukemia produces abnormal blood cells that don’t function as well as normal blood cells. These forms of leukemia are slower acting on the body than the acute forms of leukemia.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is most common in adults and causes the rapid development of immature white blood cells in the bone marrow crowding out normal cells and spreading these no-functioning cells throughout the body. This interferes in usual work of the normal blood cells. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) causes an increased unregulated growth of myeloid cells in the bone marrow and an elevated amount of white blood cells in the blood. Severe anemia is a result of this overabundance of white cells.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is most common among children under the age of fifteen. In this leukemia the rapid multiplying of malignant immature white blood cells crowds out normal white cells. This type of leukemia responds well to treatment if it is diagnosed in time. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) a defective white blood cell is produced in overabundance. This cell does not fight infection and crowds out the healthy cells. Often the chronic lymphocytic leukemia is only discovered after a blood test when the elevated white blood cell count is found.

Some of the risk factors that researchers have identified include high doses of radiation, long-term chemical exposure in the work place, cigarette smoking, and agricultural chemicals. High doses of radiation such as around the failed nuclear reactor at Chernobyl or military exposure during the nuclear detonations in the 1950′s show a strong link to leukemia. Exposure to benzene, herbicides and pesticides have been linked to acute leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia has been linked to exposure to agricultural chemicals as has exposure to Agent Orange. Cigarette smoking seems to have an important link to acute leukemia. This is probably due to the chemicals such as benzene, polonium-210 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Certain chemotherapy drugs especially alkylating agents combined with ionizing radiation may produce leukemia. Some diseases caused by abnormal chromosomes may increase the risk of leukemia. Philadelphia chromosome is a specific chromosomal abnormality in which parts of two chromosomes swap places. This can lead to acute myelogenous leukemia.

Incoming search terms for the article:

elevated white blood cell count,ABNORMAL WHITE BLOOD CELLS,What causes high white blood cells?,high white blood cell count leukemia,causes of high white blood cell count,causes of elevated white blood cell count,causes for high white blood cell count remedies,Causes Elevated White Blood Count,anemia and high white blood cells,Agent Orange/Benzene/Acute Mylogenous Leukemia,what is a normal white blood cell count

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in leukimia

Leukemia For Twins and Stem Cells Solutions

Comments: 0June 23rd, 2010 by admin



Although there are no accurate data for concordance rates of leukemia in infant twins, anecdotally it seems to be exceptionally high, perhaps approaching one hundred percent that is, if one twin has it, unfortunately so will the other. If correct, this suggests that MLL gene fusion in utero has a dramatic impact, ensuring subsequent leukemia. But for children aged two to six years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the concordance rate is considerably lower at around five percent. This still represents a one hundred fold extra risk of leukemia for the twin of a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia but also indicates the need for some additional postnatal event for which there is a one in twenty chance, or ninety five percent discordance. This suggests, at a minimum, a “two hit” model for the natural course of childhood leukemia.

If this model of leukemia development is correct, then, for every child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed, there should be at least twenty healthy children who have had a chromosome translocation, a functional leukemia fusion gene, and a covert preleukaemic clone generated in utero. This possibility has been investigated by screening unselected samples of newborn cord blood for fusion genes. About six hundred samples have been screened, and around one percent have a leukemia TEL

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in leukimia

Canine Leukemia

Comments: 0May 16th, 2010 by admin



Leukemia is one type of cancer that affects the blood. This disease is characterized by a significant increase of the leukocytes, popularly called white blood cells.

The first symptom is a large number of these cells in the blood marrow or even in the circulation. Leukemia is a result of a genetic malfunction, a mutation that happens inside the bone’s marrow. This disease has several types. It is classified taking into consideration the type of the white blood cells that are involved and also the way in which the disease is progressing.

Leukemia can derive from the bone marrow and it is called myelogenous or granulocytic leukemia and also lymphocytic leukemia when it involves the lymph nodes.

Leukemia disease can either be chronic or acute. It all depends on the kind of white cells that are affected. The chronic one is named chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The CLL in pets like dogs and cats has a lot of similarities with the human disease but still some major differences too.

The ALL, or acute lymphoid leukemia is a disease that progresses quite rapidly. A few of the symptoms include fever, anemia, random bleeding, loosing the appetite, swollen lymph nodes, panting, anxiousness, vomiting, pale gums, shifting limb lameness, lack of coordination, some infections that appear because of the week immune system. All these symptoms can cause death if the disease is not treated.

At a clinical examination, if the dog has fever or a bigger than usual spleen or liver, it is a good sign of the disease. Many mature animals develop the acute lymphoid leukemia rather then the young. This is a difference from the human disease which is quite common in children. Another important fact is that this disease can cause some ocular lesions in dogs.

The chronic leukemia has many cancer white cells that are affecting the body’s ability to fight the infections. The disease progresses slowly and it is fatal. It suppresses the immune system and then the bone marrow fails to function. The bag cells then infiltrate the other organs. The disease easily spreads into the blood, the lymph nodes, liver or spleen and into the central nervous system. The disease doesn’t create solid tumors or other solid masses. The death can be quite painful.

Discovering the leukemia can be done ding a simple blood examination and then, if there are suspicions, a bone marrow analysis.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in leukimia

Scientists Reveal New Aspects of T-cell Acute Lymphatic Leukemia

Comments: 0March 13th, 2010 by admin



The actual causes of leukemia are still unknown to medical science. Although there are many speculations upon this matter, scientists haven’t yet found any conclusive evidence regarding the exact causes and risk factors of leukemia. However, medical science has made great progresses in identifying various genetic particularities that are nowadays considered to be underlying causes of leukemia. It seems that each type of leukemia is caused by a specific set of genetic dysfunctions which triggers an overproduction of diseased cells. Thanks to the ongoing efforts of medical scientists focused towards unveiling the factors involved in causing the occurrence and the development of leukemia, modern medicine may soon come up with an effective cure for this type of cancer.

Scientists have recently revealed a connection between T-cell acute lymphatic leukemia (T-ALL) and ABL1 gene. ABL1 resides in chromosome 9. Due to genetic dysfunctions, a fragment of DNA that contains ABL1 fuses with another gene, thus causing T-ALL. ABL1 gene is also known to have a role in the occurrence of various other types of leukemia. Oncologists explain that the abnormal activity of ABL1 cancer gene can be countered with the means of already-existent leukemia medications such as Glivec. Thus, Glivec may also be effective in overcoming the cases of T-ALL that are caused by the malfunctioning ABL1 gene.

Inappropriate activity of ABL1 gene is known to be the underlying cause of more than 6 percent of all T-ALL cases. ABL1 is in fact a type of protein that regulates various cellular processes. Impaired activity of ABL1 determines a wide range of cellular dysfunctions. In the case of T-ALL, ABL1 is responsible for causing an overproduction of diseased blasts, cells that are unable to reach the stage of maturity. As a result, these partially-developed cells can’t fulfill their actual purpose inside the body, generating serious impairments at different levels of the organism.

Functionless blasts multiply at abnormally high rates, eventually outnumbering healthy cells. In addition, diseased T-ALL cells block the production of normal blood cells, causing a decrease in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. In present, T-cell acute lymphatic leukemia is known as the most common form of cancer among children. T-ALL predominantly affects children under the age of 15 and it is rarely seen in older children or young adults.

Medical scientists are currently trying to modify the leukemia drug Glivec so that it can also be administered to patients with T-ALL. Although Glivec is considered to be a reliable medication, it hasn’t been tested yet on patients diagnosed with T-ALL. However, oncologists believe that in future Glivec and other ABL1 inhibitors will be able to completely overcome T-ALL.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in leukimia

Interesting Facts About Acute Leukemia

Comments: 0September 8th, 2009 by admin



Leukemia is also known as blood cancer. However, this term is a misnomer because rather than causing cancer in the blood, the cancer is caused in the bone marrow and it affects the white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting infections, bacteria and viruses that enter our body. Once the white blood cells are affected, our body gets weakened and is exposed to infections.

There are several types of leukemia and the treatment varies depending on the type. However, the two main types of leukemia are acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Chronic leukemia is considered to be milder; in other words not all the white blood cells are defective and the progress of the disease is much slower than acute leukemia.

Acute leukemia advances rapidly and all the white blood cells are not normal. However, in some cases it is easier to treat than chronic leukemia.

In the United States, each year thousands of people are diagnosed with acute leukemia. However, it has been seen that a large number of children, mostly around 4 years old, are afflicted more frequently by acute leukemia. The good news is that more and more cases are being cured and there is constant research for new medication and treatment methods.

The cause of acute leukemia is unknown. The only thing that one can say for certain is that some people are at a higher risk of getting the disease than others. People who are exposed to radiations or certain chemicals have the highest chance of contracting the disease. In addition, there is the hereditary factor. It has been seen that children receive the defective gene from their mother and this gene may lead to acute leukemia.

People who have leukemia tend to bruise easily or bleed easily from the nose and gums. In addition to weak immune system, there is a general feeling of fatigue and unexplained weight loss. The disease by itself does not have any specific symptoms.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in leukimia

Acute Lymphocyctic Leukemia

Comments: 0April 7th, 2009 by admin



Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer, causes damage and possible death by crowding the normal blood cells in the bone marrow and will eventually spread to other organs. ALL is commonly found in children but also found in adults and if left untreated can be fatal. The risk of getting ALL goes up in people age 45 and will go up again as you grow older. There are over 5000 people expected to be diagnosed with ALL in year 2008.

Effects of ALL

There is short term and long term effects living with ALL and it will be emotionally, physically and financially straining them. While living with ALL, your abnormal blood cells crowd around other cells in the bone marrow. This prevents your body from producing red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets causing many problems in their future such as anemia, and more infection.

Other acute lymphocytic leukemia symptoms are:

* Swollen lymph nodes

* Dyspnea

* Bleed more easily

* Enlarged liver or spleen

Diagnosing ALL

There are many tests that doctors use to diagnose ALL and the tests they use will depend on other factors such as your age, the severity of the symptoms. The tests given are blood work, a bone marrow biopsy, cytogenetics, imaging tests and more.

Treatment

Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for this disease varying in length and number of drugs involved. Clinical trials are another often used option that allow doctors to continue to learn about and improve treatments for ALL.

If you are experiencing some or all of acute lymphocyctic leukemia symptoms then you need the right legal guidance. Please contact a medical attorney today. There are experienced and trustworthy people who can give you the legal support you deserve.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in leukimia