Leukemia is one type of cancer that involves a change in blood cells. It often develops within the bone marrow, which is the inner part of the bone that produces immature cells that eventually mature into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Fever, exhaustion, bruising, and bleeding are common presentations of leukemia.
There are several kinds of leukemia, and a few of their symptoms could be the same. Where chronic types progress slowly over time and sometimes do not present with any symptoms, acute types grow and may spread rapidly.
Knowing which type of leukemia you have helps you and your cancer care team decide on an appropriate treatment strategy.
Leukemias Acute
Acute types of leukemia are cancers that start in the bone marrow and quickly spread to the blood. Acute leukemias are classified based on the types of cells they affect.
cute ALL (lymphocytic leukemia)
The most common type of leukemia is acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). The lymphoid cells of the bone marrow—the immature white blood cells that mature into lymphocytes—are affected.
Lymphocytes represent the primary cells that make up lymph tissue, which is part of the immune system. There exist two types of lymphocytes: B and T. B lymphocytes protect the body against diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungus by producing certain proteins called antibodies. In contrast, T lymphocytes regulate the activity of immune system cells and eliminate infectious agents.
Because ALL grows fast, healthy blood cells are quickly replaced by cancerous cells. These symptoms may represent a lack of healthy blood cells:
- Fatigue
- Pale skin
- A fever
- Weakness
- recurring infections
- Breathlessness
- Bleeding
- Bruising easily
Children and adults over 50 are the most common demographics for ALL. Three in four cases of childhood leukemia are this type.
In addition to age, exposure to chemicals, radiation, some viral infections, certain genetic disorders, and sex (it is more frequent in men) are risk factors for ALL.
Leukemia Acute Myeloid (AML)
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) begins to grow in the myeloid cells that are found in the bone marrow. Myeloid cells are immature white blood cells that produce red blood cells, platelets, and a certain type of white blood cells known as neutrophils. AML is generally more aggressive compared to ALL and has the tendency to spread faster.
AML cells tend to quickly move through the brain, spinal cord, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, blood, and testicles. Tiredness, chills, sweating, decreased appetite, and uncontrolled loss of weight are the signs of AML.
Although children are not left untouched by this disorder, seniors have higher possibilities of experiencing it.
Chronic leukemias
Compared to acute leukemia, chronic leukemia develops and progresses more slowly.
Chronic leukemias arise from partially developed blood cells. Although they appear normal, these cells are not. White blood cells that are partially grown cannot effectively fight infection since they do not function correctly. For many years, a person with chronic leukemia can be symptom-free.
CLL, or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
The bone marrow’s lymphoid cells are affected by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It is the most common type of leukemia, one that grows slowly. The CLL cells may accumulate for years in the bone marrow before they spread to the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.
People above the age of 50 have the highest number of CLL. This leukemia is rare in children and youth.
CLL symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- The fever
- Cools
- Night sweats
- swollen lymph nodes
CML, or chronic myeloid leukemia
CML begins in the myeloid cells of the bone marrow. The myeloid cells develop into adult platelets, red blood cells, and some types of white blood cells. The disease is slow-growing; however, it has the potential of turning into acute leukemia.
CML is very rare in children and mainly affects the elderly.
Possible symptoms and signs include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Unintended weight loss
- Bone pain
- An enlarged spleen may present as a mass under the left rib cage.
CMML, or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
A more rare type of chronic leukemia which causes an overload of monocyte cells in the blood is called chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Patients with CMML will often have a swelling on the left side under their rib cage because it often leads to an enlarged spleen. They may also have difficulty consuming large portions of food as they will easily feel that they are full.
Approximately 15–30% of patients with CMML will eventually develop AML.
How to Determine Your Type
You have to see your healthcare practitioner to get tested to find out what type of leukemia you have. You cannot figure out your type just by looking at your symptoms. Compared to chronic leukemias, acute leukemias may cause more symptoms and have a tendency to grow and spread quickly.
Your doctor will test your bone marrow and blood to identify your leukemia kind. Your samples will be sent to a lab so a pathologist can look at them under the microscope.
When to Seek Medical Care
If you have any of the leukemia symptoms, see your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to a better outcome and a greater variety of treatment choices, depending on the type of leukemia.
Warning signs include increased bleeding or bruising, fevers without other symptoms, and daily weakness and fatigue.
Your doctor will ask for a number of diagnostic procedures, including blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy, if they suspect you have leukemia.
- Chemotherapy: This therapy slows down the rate of growth of cancer cells, stops the spreading of cancer cells, and kills them through medicines.
- Radiation therapy applies high doses of radiation that would kill cancer cells and avoid further spreading. Radiation is two different types: internal and external. Radioactive materials are introduced by a medical expert into the body through internal radiation. Specialized appliances that direct radiation at the body’s malignancy are used when external radiation is applied.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment either strengthens the patient’s immune system or uses antibodies (proteins) that are made in a lab to kill or prevent cancer cells from growing.
- Medications used in targeted therapy target specific cancer cells while causing the least damage to healthy cells.
Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for leukemia. The type of leukemia and the severity will determine what options are available.
How to Avoid Leukemia
Leukemia cannot be prevented with absolute certainty. The majority of leukemia patients do not have any risk factors. One of the forms of leukemia for which smoking is a possible risk factor is acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. Staying away from or quitting smoking can help lower your risk.
A Brief Overview
Leukemia is a type of cancer that occurs in the bone marrow and blood. It usually impacts immature cells that mature into platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells in the bone marrow. There are several forms of leukemia classified based on how fast they grow and spread.
ALL and AML are examples of acute leukemias that progress rapidly. Chronic leukemias can take years before symptoms are noticed. The types of chronic leukemia include three: CML, CLL, and CMML.
For any symptoms of leukemia you may experience, including weakness and exhaustion, fevers and night sweats, or bleeding and bruising, always consult your doctor.
