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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 in by blood-forming tissue. As this eMedTV segment explains, there are two main types of these cells: lymphoid leukemia cells and myeloid leukemia cells.
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 leukemia in detail.
Acute leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue and progresses very quickly. As explained in this eMedTV article, there are two main types of acute leukemia: acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
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 chronic 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 symptoms of leukemia, which may also include bleeding and bruising easily, weight loss, and headaches.
As explained on this eMedTV Web page, doctors making a leukemia diagnosis will usually do a physical exam, review the patient's medical history, and order tests and procedures (such as blood tests, a biopsy, a spinal tap, and chest x-rays).
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.
Leukemia treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. This eMedTV article discusses these and other options for treating leukemia, and includes information about side effects, second opinions, and clinical trials.
Current areas of focus for leukemia research 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, about 35,070 people will be diagnosed with the disease in the U.S. in 2006. This eMedTV resource contains statistics concerning leukemia, 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.
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