Cancer Patient Information

Leukemia

Christine Benner

HCA 240

September 9, 2011

Debra Zanders

Leukemia

Leukemia causes massive proliferation of immature forms of white blood cells, this occurs in more than 250,000 individuals worldwide each year. Cancer is classified by malignancy involving either lymphoid (B cells or T cells in lymph tissue) or myeloid (bone marrow) cells and whether the disease is acute or chronic. “Leukemia is diagnosed 10 times more in adults than in children, although it is often thought of as a childhood cancer” (Pearson Education, Inc., 2010). Not everyone is at risk of being diagnosed with leukemia. Different cancers have different risk factors, for example exposing skin to the sunlight is a risk factor for skin cancer. The risk of chronic myelomonocyte leukemia increases with age, this disease is rare in individuals younger than 40 most cases found in people over 60. Chronic Myelomonocytic leukemia is found more commonly in men.

Environmental risks that may cause cancer are tobacco, industrial chemicals, and radiation is among the most significant. Other causes include poor diet, and alcohol consumption. Some of the signs and symptoms include too many monocytes that settle in the spleen or liver, causing organs to enlarge. An enlarged spleen can cause pain in the upper left part of the abdomen. It can also cause people to feel full too fast when they eat. It mainly causes pain in the upper right part of the abdomen. A shortage of red blood cells can lead to feeling very tired, with shortness of breath and pale skin. Not having enough normal white blood cells can lead to frequent or severe infections. A shortage of blood platelets can lead to problems with easy bruising and bleeding such as frequent nosebleeds or bleeding from the gums. Treatment options are based on how severe the disease is, as well as the age and health of the patient. Chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants are both treatment options. Going through cancer can make you feel...