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- Derivation of the word: From Greek "Leukos" (white) and haima (blood); word developed by R. Virchow in 1855 http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term...
- Causes: Cause unknown, however several risk factors have been identified: high-energy radiation exposure, genetic syndromes such as Down's, exposure to benzene, and possible electromagnetic fields http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu/types/arti...
- Populations affected: Children and adults, all races, median age for diagnosis = 66 http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/le...
- General types: Chronic, where cells mature abnormally and accumulate; and acute, where immature cells (blasts) accumulate quickly because they don't stop dividing http://cancer.about.com/od/leukemia/f/ac...
- Type of bone marrow cells affected: Lymphocytic (begin in myeloid cells that make lympocytes) or myelogenous (beginning in myeloid cells that make platlets, red blood cells and whitle blood cells other than lymphocytes http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/conten...
- Most common childhood form: Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), 75% of children that are affected with leukemia http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uva...
- New cases in 2009 in the United States: 44,790 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types...
- Estimated deaths 2009: 21,870 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types...
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Leukemia is a cancer of the blood that produces either abnormal white blood cells or too many of these cells in the bone marrow. As the cancer advances, it eventually blocks the growth of normal white blood cells which are important for fighting off diseases. Leukemia also overcomes red blood cells and platelets which interferes with oxygen flow through the blood and blood clotting.
There are four main types and several subtypes of leukemia, which are discussed below and in the fast facts section to the right. You will also find a featured video on new technologies used for diagnosis and treatment and news and blogs sections so you can keep up with the latest developments in the treatments for leukemia.MayoClinic.com: Leukemia http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_hematology/leukemia.cfm -
Types
- Acute Leukemia
- In this form, the changed leukemia cell proliferates, forming about a trillion more nonfunctioning leukemia cells, crowding out the normal cells which reduces normal production. Red blood cell counts drop causing anemia and a compromised immune system. This causes a decrease in the platelet counts, so patients bruise easier and bleed easier. There are two types:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia - the most common form in children.
- Acute myelogenous leukemia - the second most common form found in childrenhttp://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_hematology/leukemia.cfm
- Chronic Leukemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia - many white blood cells are produced, causing the blood flow to slow down and anemia.
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia - too many lymphocytes are made that do not function. May lead to anemia, low platelet and neutrophil counts, and the immune system is weakened.http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7026
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United States Statistics
- New cases: 44,270 per yearNCI: Leukemia
- Deaths: 21,710 per yearNCI: Leukemia
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Excerpt from "The Secrets of the Sequence" on Finding Leukemia Cures
Research scientists have investigated the use of genomic typing as a replacement diagnositic technique for pinpointing the type of leukemia that patie ... read moreResearch scientists have investigated the use of genomic typing as a replacement diagnositic technique for pinpointing the type of leukemia that patients have. This technique has helped identify and develop drug therapies that work with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). With other types of leukemia, such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, conventional chemotherapy is needed to wipe out the cancerous stem cells in the bone marrow, and afterwards bone marrow stem cell transplant can be done. However, only about 1 in 4 affected people find a match. There is current research on developing stem cell lines from cells of the patients as a cure. This type of approach has worked in studies on mice.
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Leukemia Blogs
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NICE says pharma should help pay for leukemia drugs - Medical ...
Government regulators in Britain are asking Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb to help pay for their leukemia drugs. (February 09, 2010)mmm-online.com -
Guerrero's wife battling leukemia | MyBoxingFans - Boxing News
Robert Guerrero seeks prayers from the boxing community Robert Guerrero, scheduled to face interim lightweight titlist Michael Katsidis on March 27, withdrew. (February 09, 2010)myboxingfans.com -
I'm Writing A Book About Leukemia, Anyone Who Knows Information On ...
Okay so the boy in my story hasn't told his best friend he has it yet, so I need some complications that can me traced back to the disease or treatment to. (February 09, 2010)content101.cn -
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in Children: ALL Childhood Cancer ...
Childhood leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL, once led to death within 4 months of diagnosis. ALL is now a survivable disease over 85 percent of the time. (February 07, 2010)cancer.suite101.com
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Leukemia News
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Guerrero's wife battling leukemia
Guerrero's wife, Casey, was diagnosed with leukemia two weeks before then-featherweight titleholder Guerrero was scheduled to defend his belt against Martin ... (February 08, 2010)ESPN -
ChemGenex shares dive on FDA's leukemia drug critique
With the FDA's oncology experts preparing to gather to consider the fate of ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals' experimental leukemia drug Omapro, FDA staffers are ... (February 09, 2010)FierceBiotech -
Rihanna Pays Tribute to Leukemia Victim Jasmina
... in need of a transplant, as well as highlighted the need for more African-American donors after watching a video about young leukemia victim, Jasmina Anema. (February 08, 2010)People Magazine -
NICE says pharma should help pay for leukemia drugs
Government regulators in Britain are asking Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb to help pay for their leukemia drugs. In a statement today, the National ... (February 09, 2010)Medical Marketing and Media
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