Leukemia

Leukemia
Name	Leukemia
Diseasesdb	7431
Icd10	C91-C95
Icd9	208.9

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced, and is characterized by an abnormal increase in white blood cells, as seen in patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center. The disease is often associated with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and infections, which can be life-threatening if left untreated, as noted by American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute. Leukemia can be diagnosed and treated by oncologists and hematologists at Cancer Research UK and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Researchers at Harvard University and Stanford University are working to develop new treatments and therapies for the disease.

Definition and Classification

Leukemia is a type of hematological malignancy that is classified into several subtypes based on the type of blood cell affected and the rate of progression, as described by World Health Organization and International Agency for Research on Cancer. The disease can be classified as acute lymphoblastic leukemia or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, depending on the type of lymphocyte affected, as seen in patients treated at University of California, Los Angeles and University of Pennsylvania. Leukemia can also be classified as myeloid leukemia or lymphoid leukemia, depending on the type of bone marrow cell affected, as noted by European Society for Medical Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and University of Chicago are working to develop new classification systems for the disease.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact causes of leukemia are not fully understood, but several risk factors have been identified, including exposure to radiation, chemical exposure, and genetic mutations, as noted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. People who have been exposed to benzene or vinyl chloride are at increased risk of developing leukemia, as seen in workers at Dow Chemical Company and Monsanto Company. Additionally, people with a family history of leukemia or other cancers are at increased risk, as noted by American Academy of Pediatrics and Society of Gynecologic Oncology. Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology are working to develop new treatments and therapies for the disease.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The symptoms of leukemia can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease, but common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats, as seen in patients treated at Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Leukemia can be diagnosed using a variety of tests, including blood tests, bone marrow biopsies, and imaging tests, as noted by Radiological Society of North America and Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. Flow cytometry and molecular testing can also be used to diagnose and monitor the disease, as described by American Society for Clinical Pathology and College of American Pathologists. Researchers at University of California, San Francisco and Duke University are working to develop new diagnostic tests and therapies for the disease.

Types of Leukemia

There are several types of leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as noted by Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Lymphoma Research Foundation. Each type of leukemia has distinct characteristics and treatment options, as seen in patients treated at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and City of Hope National Medical Center. Hairy cell leukemia and large granular lymphocytic leukemia are rare types of leukemia that require specialized treatment, as described by European Hematology Association and International Society for Experimental Hematology. Researchers at University of Oxford and University of Cambridge are working to develop new treatments and therapies for the disease.

Treatment and Management

The treatment of leukemia depends on the type and stage of the disease, as well as the patient's overall health, as noted by National Comprehensive Cancer Network and European Society for Medical Oncology. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy are common treatments for leukemia, as seen in patients treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Bone marrow transplantation and stem cell transplantation can also be used to treat leukemia, as described by American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and International Society for Cellular Therapy. Researchers at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Washington University in St. Louis are working to develop new treatments and therapies for the disease.

Prognosis and Outlook

The prognosis and outlook for leukemia vary depending on the type and stage of the disease, as well as the patient's overall health, as noted by American Cancer Society and Cancer Research UK. With treatment, many people with leukemia can achieve remission and live for many years, as seen in patients treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. However, some types of leukemia are more aggressive and require more intensive treatment, as described by European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer and National Cancer Institute. Researchers at Harvard University and Stanford University are working to develop new treatments and therapies to improve the prognosis and outlook for people with leukemia.

Epidemiology

Leukemia is a relatively rare disease, but it is one of the most common types of cancer in children and adults, as noted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization. The incidence of leukemia varies by age, with the highest rates seen in children and older adults, as seen in data from National Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK. Researchers at University of California, Los Angeles and University of Pennsylvania are working to understand the epidemiology of leukemia and develop new strategies for prevention and treatment. Category:Cancer