Leukemia

Leukemia or leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of blood cells, usually white blood cells. It is part of the broad group of diseases called hematological neoplasms. There are mainly two types of leukemia 1. Acute leukemia 2. Chronic lymphatic leukemia. Any form of leukemia except chronic lymphatic leukemia is covered by Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a prescribed disease.

Cause

Exposure to electromagnetic radiations or to ionising particles where the dose is sufficient to double the risk of the occurrence of the condition. For example, people working in the nuclear industry and hospital X-ray departments.

Some other major causes are

• Exposure to Atomic Bomb Radiation
• Previous Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy
• Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus
• Myelodysplasctic Syndrome
• Downs Syndrome

Symptom

The symptoms of leukemia are broad, but there are specific symptoms of leukemia to keep an eye out for:

• fever
  
• infection
  
• excessive bruising
  
• fatigue
  
• physical exercise intolerance
  
• abdominal pain, or generally feeling fullness
  
• weight loss
  
• abnormal bleeding
  
• enlargement of the lymph nodes, spleen, and/or liver
  
• weakness

Around 60% - 70% cases of leukemia is founded in people age 50 and over. Factors outside of industrial hazard such as smoking is a big factor in what causes leukemia.

Prevention

Unfortunately there isn't a medically proven prevention method for leukemia. However controlling certain factors that are related to leukemia could well help.

• Stop smoking
• Minimise exposure to benzene
• Keep a good lookout of your health if you have previously received chemotherapy or radiation treatment

Diagnosis

After the initial check up if physician decides that the blood of a patient is abnormal and a possible case of leukemia is suspected; a treatment plan will be devised. Leukemia is not a single disease, rather a formation of various different type of cancer formed in blood cells and bone marrow.

Generally there are five different types of treatment:

• Chemotherapy
• Interferon therapy which slows down the reproduction of leukemia cells.
• Radiation therapy
• Stem cell transplantation (SCT)
• Surgery to remove an enlarged spleen

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