Leukemia, a term used to describe several types of blood cancer, comes from the Greek words for "white blood"
The name refers to the whitish/pale-pink blood leukemia patients have because of high numbers of abnormal white cells(leukocytes). Although leukemia affects all types of blood cells, as well as bone marrow and other blood-producing structures, the white cells, or lymphocytes are involved the most.
The types of leukemia are broadly classified as follows:
Acute Lymphocytic or Lymphoblastic:
causes a rapid increase in abnormal lymph cells. It occurs most commonly in children.
Chronic Lymphocytic:
entails a slow increase in abnormal lymphocytes and generally affects older people.
Acute Myelogenous:
progresses rapidly and involves increased numbers of abnormal myelocytes, or granulocytes, the white cells that fight bacteria. It is rare in children and becomes incresingly common with advancing age.
Chronic Myelogenous:
progresses slowly at first and most frequently strikes middle-aged people.
*Leukemia is further classified according to cell size, rate of proliferation, and such characteristics as the appearance and immunologic features of the proliferating cells.
*Acute leukemia are the most serious; they appear abruptly and worsen rapidly.
SYMPTOMS:
Common symptoms include, easy bruising and bleeding, fatigue, pallor, weakness, fever, shortness of breath, joint pain, and abdominal swelling and tenderness.
*Chronic leukemia may be present for years without producing noticeable symptoms.
TREATMENTS:
Acute leukemias are usually treated with intensive chemotherapy, using various combinations of anti-cancer drugs. Radiation treatment is often used also. It is sometimes directed at the brain to eliminate any leukemia cells that may elude anticancer drugs, which ordinarily do not cross the protective blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Even after a remission has been achieved, chemotherapy, using lower doses of anti-cancer drugs, is continued to help prevent a recurrence.
Transfusion of RBCs, platelets and sometimes WBCs may be part of treatment.
For a growing number, bone-marrow transplants, preferably after the first or second remission.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES:
Acupressure:
practioners recommend pressing a point on the underside of the wrist to counter nausea.
Alternatively you can wear acupressure bracelet, such as that promoted for preventing motion sickness
Herbal Medication:
Madagascar periwinkle is the source of Vinblastine and Vincristine. Others are,
periwinkle extract
ginger, ginseng, sarsaparilla, and wild Oregon grape can reduce nausea.
Garlic pills are recommended to bolster the body's immune system.
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