Understanding leukemia: types and treatments
An in-depth look at the causes, classification, and treatment options of leukemia
What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells that begins in the bone marrow. It occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, outnumbering healthy cells. This disease mainly affects white blood cells and disrupts the normal production of blood cells.
Classification of Leukemia
Doctors classify leukemia based on its rate of progression and the cells involved. There are two main categories: acute leukemia progresses rapidly, affecting immature cells, and requires urgent and aggressive treatment. Chronic leukemia develops gradually over years, with delayed symptoms. Leukemia also differs based on whether lymphocytes (lymphocytic) or other white blood cells (myeloid) are affected.
- Acute leukemia is a type of leukemia that progresses rapidly and affects immature cells. It requires rapid and aggressive therapy.
- Chronic leukemia develops slowly and may not show signs for years. It can involve lymphocytes or other types of white blood cells.
Possible Treatments
Treatment options vary depending on the types of leukemia, but often include: chemotherapy, which uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy enhances the body’s defenses against cancer. Targeted therapies focus on specific characteristics of leukemia cells. Stem cell transplants replace diseased cells with healthy ones. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill leukemia cells or inhibit their growth.
- Chemotherapy remains the standard treatment, using drugs against leukemia cells.
- Immunotherapies boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.
- Targeted therapies focus on the unique characteristics of leukemia cells.
- Stem cell transplants introduce healthy cells to replace diseased ones.
- Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams against leukemia cells.
Risk Factors and Diagnosis
Many factors increase the risk of leukemia: previous radiation therapy, cigarette smoking, exposure to benzene-based chemicals, and even genetic factors. Doctors identify leukemia through blood sample analysis. Initially, simple blood tests such as complete blood counts are performed. But sometimes more invasive bone marrow biopsies are needed to confirm the presence of tumor cells.
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