Leukemia :: Cancer Research Health Essays

Leukemia Leukemia is a disease characterized bythe formation of aberrant numbers of white fallcells, for which no certain cure has been found.Leukemia is also conditions characterized by thetransformation of normal blood-forming cells intoabnormal white blood cells whose unrestrainedgrowth overwhelms and replaces normal bonemarrow and blood cells. Leukemias are namedaccording to the normal cell from which theyoriginate, such as Lymphocyte Leukemia.Lymphocyte Leukemia is where a Lymphocytecell is transformed into a Leukemia cell. Another type of Leukemia is Myelocytic or(Granulocytic Leukemia). This forms when aMyelocytic cell is changed or transformed into aLeukemia cell. Different Leukemias are located inthe microscope and by how much protein theycontain. These Leukemias are usually very severeand need intervention right away. The presentincidence of new cases per year in the UnitedStates is about 25 to every 100,000 persons. Thedanger to the patient lies in the growth of these abnormal white cells, which interfere with thegrowth of the red blood cells, normal white bloodcells, and the blood platelets. The uncontrolledgrowth of the abnormal white cells produces atendency to unstop bleeding, the risk of gettingserious infection in the wounds, and a very smallpossibility of obstruction of the blood vessels. word of these Leukemias includechemotherapy with alkylafing agents, orantimetabodies that suppress the growth ofabnormal white cells. Another treatment of somekind would be the x-ray or the administration orradioactive substances, or radiophosphorus, maybe used. After treatment these diseases may lastfor many years. Age of the person diagnosed withLeukemia does play an important part in how thatindividual responds to any treatment. The older theperson the less response he may prevail totreatment. Leukemia in Animals white blood cellsis much less everyday as Leukemia in humanswhite blood cells. Todays treatment mostlyincludes chemotherapy and or bone mar rowtransplantation supportive care, where transfusionsof blood components and prompt treatment ofcomplicating infections, is very important. Ninetypercent of children with slap-up LymphocyteLeukemia nonplus received chemotherapy and fiftypercent of theses children have been fully cured ofLeukemia. Treatment of AML or AcuteMyeolcytic Leukemia is not as masteryful but hasbeen improving more and more throughout the1990s. Scientists that study the cause ofLeukemia have not had very much success lately.Very large doses of x-rays can increase theefficacy growth of Leukemia. Chemicals such asBenzene also may increase the risk of gettingLeukemia. Scientists have tried experiments onLeukemia in Animals by transmitting RNA into thebody of the Animal. Interpretation of these resultsin relation with human Leukemia is very cautious atthis time. Studies have also suggested that familyhistory, race, genetic factors, and geography may