What happens to your white blood cells when you have leukemia?
Leukemia usually involves the white blood cells. Your white blood cells are potent infection fighters — they normally grow and divide in an orderly way, as your body needs them. But in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, which don’t function properly.
How is chronic leukemia different from other types of leukemia?
Chronic leukemia involves more mature blood cells. These blood cells replicate or accumulate more slowly and can function normally for a period of time. Some forms of chronic leukemia initially produce no early symptoms and can go unnoticed or undiagnosed for years. The second type of classification is by type of white blood cell affected:
How old do you have to be to die from leukemia?
Leukemia is most common in people aged over 55, with the median age of diagnosis being 66. It is also one of the most common cancers for people under age 20. The survival rate is higher for younger people. According to the National Cancer Institute, the percentage of deaths by age group are as follows:
Why is leukemia not considered to be a hereditary disease?
Researchers also found that leukemia is rare in people of Asian descent. These different risks are likely due to different genetic predispositions. Leukemia is generally not considered a hereditary disease. However, having a close family member with leukemia increases your risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
What is the life expectancy of a person with leukemia?
Life expectancy for this kind of leukemia may be 10 years, 20 years or even longer. Leukemia life expectancy also depends on the type of blood cells affected by the cancer. There are two groups of leukemia: lymphocytic and myelogenous, which are further divided into sub-groups, each with differing survival rates.
What is the end stage of leukemia?
The final phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia refers to the phase when the percentage of cancerous cells exceeds thirty percent. A variety of distressing symptoms may be experienced in this phase. If the treatment options work, the disease may go in remission. At times, leukemia could also relapse.
What is Stage 4 leukemia?
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. Stage 4 lymphoma means that cancer has spread to an organ external to the lymphatic system. The survival rates vary widely depending on an individual’s risk factors and type of cancer.
What can cause leukemia?
Leukemia can be caused by many factors, including heredity (genetics), radiation chemical substances such as radioactive and hazardous substances clams, and also because of the virus. Leukemia patients should immediately consult a doctor to quickly get treatment and intense therapy.