LEUKEMIA, ACUTE

 Basic information

description

• Leukemia is cancer of the cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft material in the center of bones and all blood cells are formed there. White blood cells fight infections, red blood cells carry oxygen, and platelets help control bleeding. With leukemia, the cancerous cells replace the normal bone marrow cells. As the amount of normal white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells decrease, the body then develops infections, anemia, or bleeds easily. Acute leukemia usually has a sudden onset and symptoms progress rapidly. Acute leukemia has two types (each type has subtypes):
  • Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). It affects all ages, but is more common in children.
  • Acute myeloid (myelogenous) leukemia (AML). It affects both children and adults (usually older adults).

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Low fever, chills, and sweating.
• Tiredness and weakness.
• Anemia (pale skin, fatigue).
• General ill feeling.
• Easy bruising or bleeding or cuts that heal slowly.
• Pin-head size spots on the skin.
• Repeated infections.
• Bone or joint pain.
• Loss of appetite and/or weight.
• Other symptoms if cancer cells collect in organs such as brain, lungs, genitals, digestive tract, or kidneys.

causes

Exact cause unknown. It is believed to be a combination of genetic, biologic, and environmental factors.

risk increases with

• Excess exposure to x-rays (radiation).
• Genetic disorder, such as Down syndrome.
• Exposure to benzenes and other toxic chemicals.
• AML risks: smoking, history of blood disorder, or previous cancer therapy with chemotherapy or radiation.
• Whites more than Blacks and other races.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Cannot be prevented. Avoid risk factors if possible.

expected outcomes

Depends on the type of leukemia, the patient's age, health, and response to treatment. It is a potentially curable cancer. Remission occurs when there is no evidence of leukemia after treatment. Remission over 5 years often indicates a cure.

possible complications

• Hemorrhage or uncontrolled infection (can be fatal).
• Failure of leukemia to respond to treatment.
• Relapse (leukemia recurs after remission).

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms. Medical tests include blood studies. Samples of bone marrow (liquid and solid) will be taken for viewing with a microscope. Further tests diagnose specific subtype of ALL or AML.
• Treatment depends on the leukemia type, person's health, and other factors. Treatment occurs in phases, such as initial treatment to remission to follow-up.
• Treatment may include anticancer drugs (chemotherapy), bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant, or other cancer-fighting agents/drugs. Radiation or surgery are rarely used. Supportive care is treatment for infections, side-effects of therapy, pain, or other problems.
• Chemotherapy uses drugs to attack the cancer cells.
• Bone marrow transplant involves replacing the leukemia-affected marrow with healthy bone marrow.
• Stem cell transplant replaces blood cells destroyed in treatment with stem cells (immature blood cells).
• Blood and platelet transfusions may be needed.
• Counseling may help you cope with having cancer.
• To learn more: American Cancer Society, 250 Williams St., NW, Atlanta, GA 30303; (800) ACS-2345; website: www.cancer.org.

medications

• You will be prescribed anticancer drugs. They may be taken by mouth or given through a vein (IV).
• Antibiotics may be prescribed for infections.
• Other cancer-fighting agents/drugs may be prescribed.

activity

Stay as active as possible. Get medical advice about exercise. Avoid crowds and people with infections.

diet

Eat a healthy diet. Treatments can make it hard to eat well. Consult a dietitian for help if needed.

 notify our office if

• You or your child has symptoms of acute leukemia.
• Fever or bleeding occur or new symptoms develop.

Special Notes: