The Egyptian Society for Blood Transfusion Services
● Symptoms of leukemia. Symptoms of leukemia vary according to the type of leukemia. However, common symptoms of leukemia include the following:
• fever.
• Permanent fatigue and weakness.
• Frequent infections.
• Loss of appetite or weight loss.
• swollen lymph glands.
• Enlarged liver or spleen.
• Easy bleeding or bruising.
• Shortness of breath during physical activity or when climbing stairs.
• The appearance of small red dots and spots on the skin.
• Excessive sweating, especially at night.
• Pain or sensitivity in the bones.
The severity of symptoms relates to the amount and location of the abnormal blood cells
It accumulates, and one may overlook the initial signs and symptoms of leukemia because they are similar to the signs and symptoms of influenza or other common diseases.
● Causes and risk factors for leukemia..
Scientists do not yet know what are the true causes of leukemia, but it seems that it is generated and developed as a result of a combination of several genetic factors and environmental factors together.
Acute leukemia begins in a single white blood cell or a small group of cells that have lost their DNA sequence.
These cells remain undeveloped but are able to multiply;
Since they are not developed enough as healthy cells do, they accumulate and impede the proper functioning of vital organs in the body.
Chronic leukemia attacks the most developed blood cells, these cells multiply and accumulate more slowly, so the progression of the disease is also slower, but it can be fatal, and specialists still do not fully know the exact reasons for the occurrence of this process.
As a result, a shortage of healthy and healthy blood cells results in inflammation, excessive bleeding, and anemia (anemia), and the presence of a very large number of white blood cells would affect the function of bone marrow tissue and penetration into other organs, and when such a condition leads to death, It is usually the result of severe blood loss or infection.
● Risk factors The following factors may increase the risk
Some types of leukemia:
Treating cancer..
People who have had certain types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy are at risk of developing certain types of leukemia many years after treatment.
Genetics..
Certain genetic abnormalities seem to affect the onset of leukemia, as it has been discovered that certain genetic diseases such as Down syndrome increase the risk of developing leukemia.
Exposure to radiation or certain chemicals.
People who have been exposed to very high levels of radiation, such as: survivors of an atomic explosion or reactor accident
My offspring are at a high risk of developing leukemia.
Exposure to certain types of chemicals, such as the benzene found in unleaded fuel and tobacco smoke, also increases the risk of developing certain types of leukemia.
In any case, the majority of people exposed to these risk factors or who belong to a particular risk group for leukemia do not develop it, and a large number of people with leukemia were not among those who were exposed to these risk factors.
Other chronic defects in lymphocytes.
This group of diseases causes the appearance of chronic leukemia, through excessive or scarce production of lymphocytes. These chronic defects in lymphocytes include the following:
• Myelodysplastic syndrome.
• Myeloproliferative disorder.
• Primary spherocytosis.
• Myelofibrosis.
• This group of medical conditions can eventually lead to the emergence of leukemia in the spinal cord.
● Diagnosis of leukemia. In most cases, doctors diagnose leukemia during a regular blood test before any symptoms had appeared, if that was the case.
Or if a person has symptoms that may indicate leukemia, he or she is likely to undergo one or more of the following tests:
• Physical examination.
• Blood tests.
• Examination of cell formation.
• Biopsy of bone marrow.
There may be a need for many other tests to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the type of leukemia and the degree of its spread in the body. Some types of leukemia are classified into levels that indicate the degree of its seriousness and the extent of its spread to the body. Determining the classification and grading of the disease helps the attending physician to develop the most optimal leukemia treatment program. effectiveness.