Acute Leukemia

Definition

Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Leukemia is characterized by an increase of white blood cells.

Description

Leukemia gets worse quickly and can make you feel sick right away. Luckily the chances for a cure are very good.

Symptoms High fever Abnormal rise in white blood cells Loss of appetite Bruising or bleeding easily Pain in the bones or joints Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or elsewhere Poor appetite

Risk Factors Genetic diseases Smoking Having Downs Syndrome Having siblings with Leukemia

Treatments Chemotherapy-the use of cancer killing

drugs put into fluid around the brain and spinal cord

Radiation-the use of high energy rays to make tumors smaller and stop the cancer cells from growing

Facts Bone marrow is removed from the back or hip to

test for cancer. Cure rates continue to rise for Leukemia. Treatments usually begin by addressing the

symptoms. There is no way to prevent Leukemia. In children, about 98% of Leukemia is Acute. Leukemia affects about 2,200 children each year.

Facts cont.

Children who received radiation or chemotherapy for another cancer have a chance of getting Leukemia.

Children who have Leukemia have a high risk of being anemic.

Acute Leukemia can also affect adults, usually 65 years or older.

The survival rate for children is 85%. In adults, it is 50%.

If you have a sibling with Downs Syndrome, you have a chance of getting leukemia.

Cancerous Cell

Having a cancer cell means that the cell has changed or mutated.

Why cancer spreads so quickly

The cells mutate and then go throughout the body by going through the blood.

Sources www.teensincharge.org www.teenslivingwithcancer.org www.intelihealth.com www.chop.edu