Leukemia Treatment in Mumbai, India

Leukemia is a kind of cancer that affects the early blood-forming cells. Leukemia is most commonly a malignancy of white blood cells; however, some leukemias begin in other blood cell types. There are numerous forms of leukemia, which are distinguished primarily by whether the leukemia is acute (rapidly developing) or chronic (slowly growing), as well as whether it begins in myeloid or lymphoid cells. Treatment choices and prognosis range depending on the kind of leukemia.

Alternate Name

Blood Cancer

Associated Anatomy

Leukemia begins in the soft, inner portion of the bones, but it frequently spreads to the bloodstream. It can then expand to other regions of the body, including lymph nodes, the spleen, the liver, the central nervous system, and other organs.

Leukemia Symptoms

Different forms of leukemia can generate a variety of complications. In the early stages of some kinds, you may not notice any symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, they may include:

• Weakness or exhaustion
• Easily bruising or bleeding
• Chills or fever
• Infections that are severe or reoccur
• Bone or joint discomfort
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Loss of weight
• Sweating at night
• Breathing difficulty
• Lymph nodes or organs such as your spleen that are swollen

Leukemia Causes

Leukemia develops when the DNA of a single cell in the bone marrow alters (mutates), rendering it unable to grow and function normally. (DNA is the cell's "instruction code" for growth and function.) Genes are made up of segments of DNA that are organized on bigger structures known as chromosomes.) The altered DNA is present in all cells that develop from the first mutant cell.

In most situations, it is still unknown what causes the DNA damage in the first place. Scientists have identified alterations in certain chromosomes in individuals with various forms of leukemia.

Leukemia Types

The four primary kinds of leukemia are as follows:

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL): This is the most frequent kind of pediatric leukemia. It has the potential to spread to your lymph nodes and central nervous system.
• Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML): This is the second most frequent kind of juvenile leukemia, as well as one of the most common types of adult leukemia.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): The second most prevalent kind of adult leukemia. Some types of CLL will remain stable for years and will not require therapy. In the case of others, your body is unable to produce regular blood cells, and you will require therapy.
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The symptoms of this kind of leukemia are usually not noticeable. It is possible that you will not be diagnosed with it until you undergo a regular blood test. This kind is more common in those over the age of 65.

Leukemia Stages

Stages of AML( Acute Myeloid Leukemia)

• M0: undifferentiated acute myeloblastic leukemia
• M1: acute myeloblastic leukemia with minimal maturation
• M2: acute myeloblastic leukemia with maturation
• M3: acute promyelocytic leukemia
• M4: acute myelomonocytic leukemia
• M4 eos: acute myelomonocytic leukemia with eosinophilia
• M5: acute monocytic leukemia

Leukemia Tests

Your doctor will need to examine your blood and bone marrow for symptoms of leukemia. They may conduct tests such as:

• Blood test: A CBC determines the number and development of different types of blood cells. Blood smears help diagnose abnormalities.
• Bone marrow biopsy: A needle is placed to take a sample of bone marrow from your pelvic bone. It can be used by your doctor to find out what kind of leukemia you have and how serious it is.
• Spinal tap: Fluid from your spinal cord is tested in this test. It can inform your doctor about the spread of leukemia.
• Imaging examinations: MR and computed tomography scans can detect symptoms of leukemia.

Leukemia Treatment

The therapy you receive is determined by the variety of leukemia you have, the extent of its spread, and your overall health. The following are the primary options:

• Chemotherapy
• Biologic radiation treatment
• Personalized medicine
• Transplantation of stem cells
• Surgery

Chemotherapy

It is a treatment that employs medications to eliminate cancer cells in your blood and bone marrow. You may obtain the medication by:

• Inserting a needle into a vein or muscle
• As a tablet
• Into the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord

Radiation Therapy

It employs high-energy X-rays to destroy or stop the growth of leukemia cells. You can acquire it all over your body or just in one area where there are a lot of cancer cells.

Biologic treatment/Immunotherapy:

It assists your immune system in locating and attacking cancer cells. Interleukins and interferon are drugs that can help improve your body's natural defenses against leukemia.

Targeted Therapy 

It involves the use of medications to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells by blocking specific genes or proteins. This medication can inhibit the signals that leukemia cells use to grow and proliferate, cut off their blood supply, or directly kill them.

A Stem Cell Transplant

It replaces leukemia cells in your bone marrow with fresh blood-producing cells. The fresh stem cells might be obtained by your doctor from your own body or from a donor. To begin, you will get high-dose chemotherapy to eliminate the cancer cells in your bone marrow. The fresh stem cells will then be delivered to you via an injection into one of your veins. They will develop into brand-new, healthy blood cells.

Surgery

If your spleen is loaded with cancer cells and pushing on adjacent organs, your doctor can remove it. A splenectomy is the medical term for this treatment.

Prevention of Leukemia

There is no proven way to prevent leukemia; however, avoiding cigarettes and pesticides, and industrial pollutants may be beneficial.

Leukemia Risk factors

Nobody knows what causes leukemia. It is caused by specific atypical chromosomes; however, this is not the only cause of leukemia.

Leukemia cannot be prevented, but certain factors can set it off. You may be at a higher risk if you:

• Smoke
• Are subjected to a high level of radiation or certain substances
• Had cancer that was treated with radiation treatment
• Have a family history of leukemia
• Have an abnormality of the genes, e.g., Down syndrome

Leukemia Complications

The possible complications of leukemia include

• Severe infections
• Serious bleeding
• GIT bleeding
• Pulmonary bleeding
• Intracranial bleeding

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