What is Leukemia?

by Connie
(Texas, U.S.A.)

Leukemia... What is It?

Leukemia is basically cancer of the blood.

Leukemia was officially diagnosed in 1845 by John Benett. The term leukemia comes from the Greek words “leukos” and “heima” which also means “white blood”.

Four Types of Leukemia

There are four types of Leukemia (in adults) and each one is named after the blood cell that becomes cancerous. These were classified in 1913 and are as follows:

• Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
  
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia
  
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
  
• Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
  

Other less common types are normally subcategories of the aforementioned four.

Approximately 40,000 adults, (4,500 of which are Americans), are diagnosed with this disease yearly.

Leukemia is a malignant disease of the bone marrow and the blood. The rate at which it progresses is different with each type of leukemia.

Leukemia Signs and Symptoms

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Here are a few signs and symptoms to be on the look out for:

One sign may include easily bruising or bleeding. This is a result of a low platelet count. Also... fatigue and paleness due to anemia.

Of course, these signs are not specific to leukemia, but would certainly warrant a medical evaluation. There are specific blood tests that are required for diagnosis.

In the past 48 years, the 5 year survival rate for leukemia has quadrupled. There are new drug combination's, progress in stem cell transplantation, along with supportive care, that contributes to improved outcomes and quality of life for those diagnosed with leukemia.

Leukemia Research

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In years past, leukemia was a death sentence, but thanks to research, modern medicine, and hospitals like St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, that no longer has to be the case. The key to raising the survival rate is early diagnosis and treatment.

St. Judes Hospital needs your financial support.

Click here for information about how you can easily raise funds to help find a cure for Leukemia. This funding idea is great for an individual personor any non profit organization.

Connie from Texas,

P.S. I will be contributing more Leukemia information at a later date so please bookmark my page and return again.

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