Leukemia, or blood cancer , is a type of cancer that occurs when cancerous cells replace normal blood cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the tissue that produces blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The cancerous cells crowd out normal blood cells, leaving the body vulnerable to infections and bleeding disorders.

Leukemia affects white blood cells, disrupting their normal functions. Cancerous white blood cells don't function like normal blood cells and can't perform their normal functions. Therefore, leukemia patients can become vulnerable to even the simplest infections that normal people can.

Leukemia can be classified as acute or chronic. Acute leukemia appears suddenly and progresses rapidly, while chronic leukemia progresses more slowly. Leukemia can originate from either myeloid or lymphoid cells. Myeloid leukemia occurs when myeloid cells in the bone marrow become cancerous, while lymphoid leukemia occurs when cells in the bone marrow called lymphocytes become cancerous.

What are the types of leukemia (blood cancer)?

Generally, leukemia is divided into two broad categories: acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. These categories are determined by how quickly the leukemia cells grow and how mature the bone marrow cells are.

Acute leukemia is a condition in which leukemia cells grow rapidly in the bone marrow and spread rapidly without maturing. Therefore, symptoms appear rapidly and require prompt treatment. Acute leukemia is divided into two main subtypes:

• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): This type of leukemia occurs when cells called lymphocytes become cancerous.
• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): This type of leukemia occurs when myeloid cells in the bone marrow transform into cancerous cells.

Chronic leukemia is a condition in which leukemia cells in the bone marrow become more mature and slowly spread throughout the bone marrow. Chronic leukemia is divided into two main subtypes:

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): This type of leukemia occurs when immature lymphocyte cells in the bone marrow become cancerous.
• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): This type of leukemia occurs when myeloid cells in the bone marrow become cancerous.

What are the causes of leukemia (blood cancer)?

The causes of leukemia (blood cancer) are not fully understood. Some known risk factors include:

• Genetic factors: Some types of leukemia run in families. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to leukemia.
• Radiation exposure: Exposure to radiation can increase the risk of leukemia. Cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy are particularly at higher risk of developing leukemia.
• Exposure to chemicals: Exposure to certain chemicals can increase the risk of leukemia. For example, benzene is a factor that increases the risk of developing leukemia.
• Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of leukemia.
• Viral infections: Certain viral infections can increase the risk of leukemia. For example, a virus called HTLV-1 (Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus 1) may play a role in the development of leukemia.

These risk factors may increase the risk of developing leukemia, but they do not always cause it. Furthermore, there is no single cause for the development of leukemia and it can result from a combination of factors.

What are the symptoms of leukemia (blood cancer)?

Leukemia (blood cancer) symptoms can vary from person to person and depend on the type, stage, and other factors of the disease. However, general leukemia symptoms include:

• Fatigue and weakness: Symptoms such as weakness, feeling constantly tired and decreased energy are common.
• Fever and infections: Frequently catching infections and experiencing fevers.
• Bleeding and bruising on the skin: Bruising and easy bleeding on the skin.
• Bone pain: Pain and tenderness in the bones.
• Joint pain: Joint pain and swelling.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss: Loss of appetite, weight loss and rapid weight loss.
• Respiratory problems: Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath.
• Nausea and vomiting: Nausea, vomiting and indigestion.
• Swollen lymph nodes: Swelling and tenderness in the lymph nodes.

These symptoms can occur in people with leukemia, but there are also people who experience no symptoms. Therefore, regular medical checkups and blood tests are important for early diagnosis of leukemia.

How is leukemia (blood cancer) diagnosed?

Various methods can be used to diagnose leukemia. These include:

• Blood tests: Blood tests are one of the most important tools in diagnosing leukemia. Tests performed on blood samples can identify the presence of leukemia cells and the normal function of blood cells.
• Bone marrow biopsy: A bone marrow biopsy can detect the presence of leukemia cells by taking a sample of bone marrow and examining it under a microscope.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) can determine the spread of leukemia cells in the body and the size of any detected masses.
• Lymph node biopsy: A lymph node biopsy can be used to detect the presence of leukemia cells by taking a sample of the lymph nodes.

Based on the results of these tests, a specialist can decide to diagnose leukemia and determine the type of disease.

Leukemia (Blood cancer) treatment

Leukemia treatment uses different methods depending on the type and stage of the disease, and the patient's overall health. Treatment goals include killing cancer cells, regenerating healthy blood cells, and preventing infections. Leukemia treatment usually consists of one or more stages.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a drug treatment used to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy generally affects cancer cells in the bloodstream.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It may be used in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat leukemia.
• Bone marrow transplant: A bone marrow transplant may be used in the final stages of leukemia treatment. A bone marrow transplant is the process of transferring healthy bone marrow cells into a patient's bone marrow.
• Targeted therapies: Targeted therapies aim to stop cancer cells from growing by targeting specific proteins in cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses the patient's immune system to fight cancer cells.

Leukemia treatment may also include supportive care, such as antibiotics or blood transfusions to prevent infections. The treatment plan may vary depending on the patient's age, overall health, and stage of the disease.

What you need to know about leukemia

• Leukemia is more common in men.
• It is particularly prevalent in the white race compared to the black and yellow races.
• Childhood leukemia is more common under the age of 4.
• Leukemia occurs when blood cells become cancerous. Blood cells such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets can be affected in leukemia.
• Leukemia is treatable when diagnosed early. Depending on the type and stage of the disease, various treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and cell transplantation, may be used.
• Treating patients with leukemia can be quite challenging, and many factors must be considered. Treatment success can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease, the patient's age, and overall health.
• During leukemia treatment, the patient may become more vulnerable to infections, so strict adherence to hygiene rules is essential.
• Leukemia can develop due to certain genetic factors. Risk factors such as smoking, exposure to radiation, and exposure to certain chemicals can also increase the risk of developing leukemia.
• It's important for people diagnosed with leukemia to receive social and psychological support. Support groups and psychologists can support the patient and their family throughout this process.
• Side effects that may occur during leukemia treatment due to treatment methods such as chemotherapy or radiation include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, infections, bleeding tendency and loss of appetite.