Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood stem cells (immature blood cells) in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy material that fills the centre of most bones.

There are several different types of leukemia. The 4 main types of leukemia are: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL),  Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

The following are symptoms of Leukemia:

-Persistent fatigue

-Fever

-Night sweats

-Frequent infections

-Pale skin

-Shortness of breath

-Unexplained weight loss

-Bone pain or tenderness

-Swollen lymph nodes (neck, underarm, stomach, enlarged spleen or liver)

-Bruising and bleeding easily (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, darkened skin patches, petechiae)

-Malaise

-Vision problems

-Sores in the eyes

-Chloroma

-Leukemia cutis

-Leukocytoclastic vasculitis

For more information, visit the Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, or the Canadian Cancer Society.

The following are risk factors for Leukemia:
-High levels of radiation
-Previous radiotherapy or chemotherapy
-Smoking
-Breathing in benzene or formaldehyde
-Family cancer syndromes
-Genetic disorders

For more information, visit the Cleveland Clinic, or the Canadian Cancer Society.

The following are diagnosis options for Leukemia:
-Health history & physical exam
-CBC
-Blood chemistry tests
-Blood clotting factors
-Cytochemistry
-Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
-Immunophenotyping
-Flow cytometry
-Immunohistochemistry
-Cell Assessment
-Cytogenetic and molecular studies
-Lumbar puncture
-Lymph node biopsy
-Chest x-ray
-CT scan
-MRI
-Ultrasound

For more information, visit the Canadian Cancer Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or Mayo Clinic.

Treatment options vary depending on the types of leukemia (ALL, AML, CLL, CML). Options include:

-Chemotherapy
-Immunotherapy
-Supportive therapy
-Surgery
-Targeted therapy
-Radiation therapy
-Stem cell transplant
-Hematopoietic cell transplant
-Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy
-Watchful waiting

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic, or Cleveland Clinic.

Certainty Takes On A Whole New Meaning When You Are Living With Cancer – Lisa Machado

Leukemia Didn’t Beat Me. I Beat It! – Jason Clark

If you would like to share your leukemia story, please email us at info@survivornet.ca.

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Food and Nutrition

Leukemia: Care Instructions - MyHealth Alberta

Leukemia Prevention: Tips, Facts, and More

Nutrition and diets for leukemia

Nutrition Tips for Leukemia Patients: What to Eat and Why

Reducing your risk for leukemia

Types of Leukemia

Ways to Prepare for Leukemia Treatment

What is Leukemia?

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada

“In the 1950s, five women around a kitchen table decided to make a difference and started raising money for leukemia research, founding what is now known as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.”

Visit them at https://www.bloodcancers.ca/ 

 

Imagine a Cure for Leukemia

“Imagine a Cure for Leukemia was born in 2006 with the purpose of providing hope, strength and courage to people with leukemia. We fund projects where medical breakthroughs have already been achieved, and where additional money is needed to turn them into better treatments for people.”

Visit them at https://www.imagineacureforleukemia.com/