Description

… Blood cancer is a general term for cancers that affect blood cells. Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that occurs when the bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells, called blasts or leukemia cells. These cells are not fully developed and can't fight infection, which can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells and platelets. Leukemia can be grouped by the type of white blood cell affected and how quickly the disease develops. The four types of leukemia are: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): Appears suddenly and grows quickly Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): Appears gradually and develops slowly over months to years Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) Symptoms of leukemia include: Bleeding and bruising Bone pain Fatigue Fever Increased risk of infections Swollen, tender gums Skin rashes Headaches Vision problems Vomiting Leukemia can be treated, but treatment can be long, especially for acute lymphocytic leukemia, which can take two to three years. The first months are usually the most intense, but children may be able to live a relatively normal life during maintenance phases, and adults may be able to continue working. Some risk factors for leukemia can be managed through healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke, and avoiding petrochemicals like benzene, which is found in tobacco smoke, gasoline, and some industrial chemicals.

Filter tags