Leukemia | Causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment in Turkey

Different types of leukemia

Leukemias are generally divided into acute and chronic forms, depending on how quickly the disease progresses.

In acute leukemia, cancer cells multiply rapidly and symptoms appear early. In chronic leukemia, however, malignant cells tend to multiply more slowly, although they accumulate in greater numbers.

Lymphocytic leukemia

Lymphocytic leukemia is a type of leukemia that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are part of the immune system and help fight infections.

There are two main types of lymphocytic leukemia:

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL): This is the form in which the disease progresses rapidly and complications quickly become dangerous. It is most common in children.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): This is a slow-growing type of leukemia that occurs most often in adults. This form of the disease can sometimes go undetected for several years.

Myeloid leukemia

Myeloid leukemia is a form of blood cancer that affects the myeloid blood cells in the bone marrow. Myeloid cells are a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection.

There are two types of myeloid leukemia:

• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
• Chronic myeloid (myelocytic or granular) leukemia (CML).

Causes of leukemia

The exact causes of leukemia are not well understood. However, it is known that genetic and environmental factors play a key role in its development.

In general, leukemia occurs when certain blood cells undergo DNA mutations. These chromosomal and/or genetic changes promote abnormal proliferation of the affected cells, which divide more rapidly and survive longer than healthy cells.

These changes are not inherited from parents or passed on to offspring, but occur during the course of life in association with the disease itself.

Risk factors

Several factors have been identified that increase the risk of developing leukemia:

• Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals, especially benzene and its derivatives.
• Exposure to high levels of radiation, such as that used in radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
• Smoking increases the risk of harmful genetic mutations.
• Chromosomal and genetic abnormalities that may promote malignant transformation of blood cells.
• Certain pre-existing blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndromes, affect cell production.
• Hereditary factors, such as Down syndrome, which is associated with an increased risk of leukemia.
• A family history of leukemia, which appears to increase the risk in close relatives slightly.

Although the exact cause of leukemia remains uncertain, a healthy lifestyle is essential to reduce the risk. Smoking should be avoided, and protective measures should be taken at work, especially when exposed to chemicals or radiation.

Regular medical checkups, including a complete blood count, will help monitor bone marrow function and detect any abnormalities early.

Symptoms of Leukemia

In the early stages of chronic leukemia, there may be no symptoms at all because the leukemia cells are not interfering with the functions of other cells. In acute leukemia, however, symptoms appear quickly and can progress very rapidly.

Like other blood cells, leukemia cells circulate throughout the body, and symptoms vary depending on their number and location. Symptoms typically include persistent fatigue, night sweats, fever, headache, paleness, unexplained weight loss, and increased susceptibility to infection. Bone and joint pain, frequent bleeding, enlarged spleen and swollen lymph nodes may also occur.

Sometimes leukemic blasts can invade organs such as the stomach, intestines, kidneys, lungs, or nervous system. This leads to specific symptoms that indicate dysfunction of the affected organ.

Not all of these symptoms are sure signs of leukemia, as they can be associated with many other diseases. It is therefore necessary to consult your doctor to find out more about the nature of the disorders.

Diagnosis of Leukemia

Diagnosing leukemia requires a thorough medical evaluation by a hematologist. The first step in this evaluation is to look for any enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. This is followed by a series of tests, including a complete blood count and a bone marrow sample, which are essential to make an accurate diagnosis and guide the choice of treatment.

At the same time, radiologic studies and a lumbar puncture of the cerebrospinal fluid may be ordered to rule out or confirm the involvement of other organs in the leukemic process.

Blood tests, including a complete blood count and indicators of liver and kidney function, provide valuable information. In leukemia, white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts are often altered relative to established norms.

This diagnostic process allows cancer cells to be distinguished from normal blood cells, contributing to accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Leukemia treatment in Turkey

Leukemia treatment in Turkey is a very delicate process aimed at eradicating leukemia cells without affecting healthy cells. The choice of the appropriate treatment depends on several factors, including the patient's age, the stage of the cancer, and the patient's health.

The main leukemia treatments in Turkey include:

Chemotherapy process

This treatment aims to inject chemicals into the patient's body so that they destroy leukemia cells and allow healthy cells to be produced. The use of different anticancer drugs is required. Two types of chemotherapy are used:

• Intensive chemotherapy.
• Non-intensive chemotherapy.

Stem Cell Transplant (Bone Marrow)

After chemotherapy, the patient receives a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant to replace the destroyed cells. The transplant is also designed to allow the bone marrow to re-form to produce healthy blood components. Bone marrow transplants are not available for people over the age of 55.

Additional treatments

Depending on the patient's case, other leukemia treatments may be used. These may include:

• Radiotherapy: uses radiation or other types of energy to kill leukemia cells.
• Targeted therapy: uses drugs that block the growth and division of leukemia cells.
• Immunotherapy: stimulates the patient's immune system to attack leukemia cells.
• Supportive care.

Side effects of blood cancer treatments

Leukemia treatments, especially chemotherapy, can have serious effects on the patient's body. These side effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Hair loss.
• Fatigue and lack of energy.
• Loss of appetite and weight.
• Heart problems.
• Anemia due to low blood cell counts.
• Mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the mouth).

To help manage these side effects, medications are available to help patients recover.