Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow in which the body produces abnormal white blood cells. This eMedTV article offers an overview of leukemia, including information about types of the disease, its symptoms, and its treatment.
Leukemia cells are abnormal cells produced by blood-forming tissue. As this segment of the eMedTV Web site explains, there are two main types of these cells and they cause different symptoms and types of leukemia.
As this eMedTV page explains, the four most common types of leukemia include chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, and acute myeloid leukemia. This article describes these types of the condition in detail.
Acute leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue and progresses very quickly. This eMedTV resource takes an in-depth look at this condition, including possible causes, symptoms, treatment options, and more.
Chronic leukemia is a slowly developing form of cancer that causes the production of abnormal blood cells. This eMedTV segment discusses types, causes, and symptoms of this form of leukemia, and describes tests used to diagnose the cancer.
Childhood leukemia is a form of cancer in which blood-forming tissue produces abnormal blood cells. This eMedTV article describes the types of leukemia most common among children, including information about risk factors and symptoms.
The exact causes of leukemia are not yet known. As explained in this eMedTV article, however, researchers have identified risk factors (such as exposure to very high levels of radiation) that increase one's chances of developing leukemia.
There are certain factors that increase a person's chances of developing leukemia. This eMedTV article takes an in-depth look at some of these leukemia risk factors, such as exposure to very high levels of radiation and undergoing chemotherapy.
Early symptoms of leukemia may include fatigue, fever, and pain or a feeling of fullness below the ribs. This eMedTV Web page discusses early symptoms of leukemia in both acute and chronic cases of the cancer.
For people with leukemia, symptoms commonly include fevers, night sweats, frequent infections, and fatigue. This eMedTV article describes signs and symptoms of this disease, which may also include bruising easily, weight loss, and headaches.
As explained on this eMedTV Web page, diagnosing leukemia will usually involve a physical exam and certain tests and procedures. This article offers more details on blood tests, biopsies, chest x-rays, and other methods of diagnosing this illness.
As this eMedTV page explains, stages of leukemia are not used to express the extent of most types of the disease. This article explains how cases of the more common types of leukemia are classified.
As this eMedTV page explains, treatment options for leukemia may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. This article discusses these and other treatments, and includes information about side effects, second opinions, and clinical trials.
Current areas research on leukemia include studies examining new types of treatment. This eMedTV page outlines some of the research currently under way, including information on work being done on stem cell transplantation.
Based on leukemia statistics, 35,070 people will be diagnosed with the disease in the United States in 2006. This eMedTV page contains various statistics on this disease, including survival rates, age-at-diagnosis figures, and lifetime risk percentages.
Recent studies show that there is little evidence suggesting a link between power lines and leukemia. This eMedTV Web page discusses power lines and leukemia, and offers a link to additional information.
