Running head: LEUKEMIA 1

Leukemia
Shanie (Michelle) Cruz-Perez
California State University Long Beach
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Leukemia
Leukemia and leucosis are synonyms, which indicate blood cancer. The definitions act as

the correct name for the actual disease. What concerns blood cancer, the definition is not correct

from a medical point of view; although this term has received the main prevalence in use. A

correct name for blood cancer is hemoblastosis, which implies a group of tumor formations that

are formed based on hematopoietic cells.

Actually, leukemia is a common term that is related to leucosis, aleukemia, hemoblastosis

and anemia. Leukemia is an oncological disease, which is characterized by the mutation of bone

marrow cells with the development of cancer cells, not normal mature leukocytes. Actually,

cancer cells represent a group of tumor diseases with characteristic uncontrolled overgrowth and

various etiologies. Leukemia, the symptoms of which are determined based on the specific form,

proceeds with the gradual replacement of normal cells and the development of serious

complications (bleeding, anemia, etc.). According to the nature of the course of the disease,

leukemia is divided into two main forms: acute and chronic. Actually, acute form “is

characterized by uncontrolled and exaggerated growth of undifferentiated cells, called blasts,

with myeloid characteristics” (Hamerschlak, 2008, p. 52). Acute leukemia is divided into acute

myeloblastic leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In fact, the forms also have separate

subtypes. What concerns chronic leukemia, two most common forms are the following: chronic

lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic myeloblastic leukemia. The rarer chronic forms of leukemia

include T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia and leukemia from large granular

leukocytes.
As a rule, the cause of leukemia cannot be established. However, leukemia can be

provoked if a patient has previously been diagnosed with another type of cancer. Another cause

of leukemia can represent various genetic disorders. In chronic myeloblastic leukemia, a mutant

(Philadelphia) chromosome is formed in the earliest precursor of blood cells, the stem cell, due
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to the replacement of the sites of 9 and 22 chromosome that causes blood cancer (Davis, Viera,

& Mead, 2014, p.733). In fact, the causes of the emergence of other types of leukemia have not

been adequately studied. Some factors, for example, ionizing radiation, contact with solvents

(especially benzene) and other chemicals, certain types of chemotherapy, some viruses, and rare

hereditary and congenital diseases that increase the risk of leukemia.

By inheritance, leukemia is not transmitted. Leukemia cannot be transferred to a person,

but the individual can inherit the tendency of mutation of cells. In fact, cells can mutate without

harming humans and vital systems. Many people are afraid of the fact that the probability of

contracting blood cancer is very high through the direct contact of blood (for example, during a

transfusion or in cases, when a patient's blood gets on an open wound of another person).

However, the beliefs of many people concerning blood cancer are not usually true. The safety of

any blood contact is enforced by the fact that leukemia represents the production of many false

leukocytes by the bone marrow in an uninterrupted regime. If the false leukocytes enter the

human body, they will soon be withdrawn without causing any harm to the vital systems.

Moreover, it is impossible to be infected with leukemia through saliva and airborne droplets.

Actually, the scientists have proven that leukemia is not contagious. Thus, the individuals should

not be afraid of dealing with patients, who have cancer, especially if they represent close

relatives and friends. Furthermore, cancer is not transmitted by air. In fact, leukemia represents a

purely individual disease, which develops exclusively in the body of one person and cannot

provoke the formation of a similar disease in the body of another.

The manifestations of symptoms, which accompany the disease, are determined by the

characteristics and extent of the spread of cancer cells and their total number. Actually, a small

number of cancer cells, which can be accompanied by the asymptomatic course of the disease for

a long time, characterize leukemia within the early stage. In the case of acute leukemia, the
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symptoms manifest rather early. High fever, weakness, dizziness, pain in the limbs, and the

development of severe bleeding accompany the symptoms of acute leukemia. The disease can

appear with a variety of infectious complications, ulcerative stomatitis, and necrotic angina. In

fact, increased fatigue, weakness, poor appetite, and weight loss represent the signs of leukemia.

On the background of accumulation of cancer cells in certain areas of the body, the signs include

confusion, dyspnea, headache, nausea, vomiting, violation of coordination of movements,

blurred vision, convulsions in certain areas, and appearance of painful edema in the groin, upper

limbs.
Practically every few minutes, one man is diagnosed with leukemia in the United States

(“Facts and Statistics,” n. d.). Actually, there is a tendency of increasing cases of leukemia in the

United States. “An estimated 1,237,824 people in the US are either living with, or are in the

remission from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma” (“Facts and Statistics,” n. d.). According to

Davis et al. (2014), prevalence of leukemia is higher in males, whites and elderly people (p.731).

Survival in cases of cancer indicates the percentage of people, who live for a certain time. On

average, the doctors use a 5-year and 10-year prognosis; however, the doctor's prognosis does

not mean that the patient has no chance to live longer than the specified number of years. In

addition, the prognosis is purely individual for each person that can vary depending on the course

of the disease and the response of the body to the therapy (Davis et al., 2014, p.736).
The treatment of leukemia is determined based on a number of factors, which accompany

the disease, its type, stage of development, the state of health of the patient and his/ her age.

Acute leukemia requires an immediate start of treatment that can stop the accelerated growth of

leukemia cells (Dohner et al., 2010, p. 460). The treatment of leukemia often achieves remission.

What concerns chronic leukemia, it is rarely cured before the remission stage; however, the use

of certain therapies allows controlling the course of the disease. As a rule, the treatment of
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chronic leukemia begins with the onset of symptoms, while chronic myeloid leukemia is treated

immediately after the diagnosis. In fact, the basic methods of treatment of leukemia include

chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stem cell transplantation, use of special preparations, and bone

marrow transplantation. In the course of chemotherapy, powerful drugs destroy cancer cells.

Actually, the cancer cells are destroyed with the help of strong X-ray or other radiation during

radiotherapy. In some cases, radiotherapy is used before the transplantation of stem cells. In fact,

the transplantation of stem cells can help in restoring the production of healthy cells and can

improve the functioning of the immune system. As a rule, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is used

before the transplantation. Such a technique is necessary in order to destroy the part of the bone

marrow cells and free space for stem cells. Chemotherapy and irradiation with x-ray or other

radiation is also necessary to weaken the patient's immunity (Dohner et al., 2010, p. 461).

Otherwise, the rejection of the transplanted cells may occur. Actually, the development of cells

can be suppressed with the help of special drugs, for example, cytostatics. The hormones of the

glucocorticoid group, which are also prescribed in the treatment of leukemia, have a strong

immunoregulatory effect. If the disease has started again, the bone marrow is transplanted from

the donor. The cells of the donor's bone marrow motivate the activity of the patient's bone

marrow; in such a way, an improvement of patient's condition can be observed.

The prevention of infections is the main condition for the survival of patients with

neutropenia (lowering of leukocytes in the blood), which occurs because of chemotherapy. Thus,

full isolation of the patient and strict disinfection regime are recommended (wet cleaning, quartz

and airing of chambers, use of disposable instruments). For the purpose of prevention of

leukemia, antibiotics and antiviral agents are prescribed.

Actually, leukemia in children can lead to certain emotional and social issues. The age of

a child and the extent of treatment play a great role in the occurrence of different issues. In fact,
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children can experience psychological and emotional problems. Depending on the age, children

can have particular issues that are related to school. Nevertheless, children are able to overcome

the problems with the help of encouragement and support. Moreover, the doctors and other

members of the society, in particular health care teams, may provide special support services and

programs that aim at helping children with leukemia. Furthermore, parents should remember that

there are many misunderstandings and fears surrounding leukemia. In fact, there are cancer

centers that have special school re-entry programs. These programs provide health educators

with the possibility to visit schools and inform children about the causes, treatment, and

prognosis of leukemia. The programs may introduce patients and their families to people, who

have successfully finished the treatment. Such a technique provides people with ideas and

expectations about the treatment outcomes. Both children with leukemia and their parents may

be affected in various ways. In fact, family concerns include financial pressure, possible loss of

work, and necessity of home schooling during the treatment of leukemia. Community programs,

mental health professionals, friends and family can help patients to overcome issues that are

associated with the treatment of leukemia and survive in spite of all challenges.
In fact, school-aged patients with leukemia should attend school, as they can maintain a

sense of everyday life and keep friends. Moreover, school friends can be considered as a

powerful source of support. The teacher should not implement specific measures to prevent

leukemia, as there is no risk of leukemia infection. However, the teacher should be informed

about the following special accommodations: equipment, audio books, and devices, which help

with particular physical activities. The teacher should develop individual educational plan, even

if there is no need of special accommodation. Actually, the schools need to be accommodated to

particular physical needs of a child after the treatment of leukemia. If a child cannot carry books

because of weakness, one set of books should be stored at school. Furthermore, some children
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should be excused from specific physical education in order to avoid fatigue (“Children

Diagnosed with Cancer: Returning to School”, 2015). Moreover, the children, who have

experience leukemia, may need shorter education days or rest periods.

In conclusion, leukemia is a group of diseases with malignant damage to the

hematopoietic cells. Due to the pathological disturbance, the changes occur not only in the

function of hematopoiesis but also in the work of the whole organism. In fact, the patients with

leukemia belong to different age categories; the disease can also affects children. The

schoolchildren and their parents face particular problems in case of leukemia. Special

community programs help children with leukemia to overcome the difficulties in schooling

process. Actually, the prognosis for patients with leukemia is set according to their age, the form

of blood cancer, the prevalence of cancer, and the response of the body to treatment. What is

important, leukemia is often successfully treated. Thus, the disease can be effectively fought. The

faith and courage of doctors, parents and children help to make the disease retreat forever.

References
Children diagnosed with cancer: Returning to school. (2015). American Cancer Society.

Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/children-and-cancer/when-your-child-

has-cancer/returning-to-school.html
Davis, A., Viera, A., & Mead, M. (2014). Leukemia: An overview for primary care. American

Family Physician, 89(9), 731-738.

Dohner, H., Estey, E. H., Amadori, S., Appelbaum, F. R., Buchner, A. K., … Bloomfield, C. D.

(2010). Diagnosis and management of acute myeloid leukemia in adults:

Recommendations from an international expert panel, on behalf of the European

LeukemiaNet. Blood, 115(3), 453-474.

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Facts and statistics. (n. d.). Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Retrieved from

https://www.lls.org/http%3A/llsorg.prod.acquia-sites.com/facts-and-statistics/facts-and-

statistics-overview/facts-and-statistics
Hamerschlak, N. (2008). Leukemia: Genetics and prognostic factors. Journal de Pediatria,

84(4), 52-57.