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Leukemia is cancer of the bone marrow and blood. The bone marrow is the soft, inner part of the bones that makes red and white blood cells. Leukemia is characterized by the uncontrolled accumulation of white blood cells (leucocytes). Under normal circumstances, the blood-forming (hematopoietic) cells of the bone marrow make leukocytes to defend the body against infectious organisms, such as viruses and bacteria. Leukocytes fight infection through a process known as phagocytosis. During phagocytosis, the leukocytes surround and destroy foreign organisms. White blood cells also produce, transport, and distribute antibodies as part of the body's immune response. If some leukocytes are damaged and remain in an immature form, they become poor infection fighters that multiply excessively and do not die off as they should. Immature leukocytes are those that have just been formed in the bone marrow. These damaged leukemic cells accumulate and lessen the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells (erythrocytes), blood-clotting cells (platelets), and normal leukocytes. If untreated, the surplus leukemic cells overwhelm the bone marrow, enter the bloodstream, and eventually invade other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and central nervous system (brain, spinal cord). In this way, the behavior of leukemia is different than that of other cancers, which usually begin in major organs and ultimately spread to the bone marrow. Leukemia can be acute (fast growing) or chronic (slow growing). The four major types of leukemia are: acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL); chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); acute myelogenous leukemia (AML); and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Leukemia is often thought to be a childhood disease, but statistically, leukemia strikes 10 times more adults than children. The American Cancer Society (ACS) predicts that about 35,070 new leukemia cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2006. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is the most frequently reported form of leukemia in adults, and approximately 11,930 new cases are anticipated in 2006. The relative five-year survival rate has more than tripled in the past 47 years for patients with leukemia due to advances in treatment. The overall relative survival rate is nearly 50%. The relative survival rates differ according to the age of the patient at diagnosis, gender, race, and type of leukemia. It is anticipated that approximately 21,790 deaths in the United States will be attributed to leukemia in 2007 (12,320 males and 9,470 females). The goal of treatment for leukemia is to bring about a complete remission. Complete remission means that there is no evidence of the disease and the individual returns to good health with normal blood and marrow cells. The cancer is not detectable in remission. Relapse indicates a return of the cancer cells and return of other signs and symptoms of the disease. Treatment centers report increasing numbers of patients with leukemia who are in complete remission at least five years after the diagnosis of their disease.
RELATED TERMS
Acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, ALL, AML, anemia, ataxia telangiectasia, benzene, Bloom's syndrome, bone marrow, chemotherapy, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, CLL, CML, computed tomography, CT, cytogenetic analysis, erythrocytes, Fanconi's anemia, hairy cell leukemia, hematopoietic, HTLV-I, human T-cell leukemia virus I, leukemic, leukocytes, lymphocytic, lymphoid tissue, malignant, myelogenous, myeloid cells, oncogenes, petechia, platelets, radiation therapy, radionuclide scan, relapse, remission, spleen, splenectomy, thrombocytosis, tumor suppressor, ultrasound, white blood cells, X-ray.
Natural Standard Monograph, Copyright © 2008 (www.naturalstandard.com). Commercial distribution prohibited. This monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.
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