Leukaemia is a type of cancer that starts in the body’s blood-forming tissues, such as the lymphatic and bone marrow systems. It causes the body to produce abnormal white blood cells that are out of control, which can interfere with the body’s ability to fight against infection and even cause disruptions to the production of other kinds of blood cells.
In this article, we will inspect the symptoms, causes, and treatment options of leukaemia, which are essential for understanding this disease.
Leukaemia
Leukaemia initiates in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. Typically, the bone marrow generates stem cells that develop into various blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In leukaemia, the production of white blood cells becomes abnormal.
These aberrant cells continue to divide and grow uncontrollably rather than develop into mature, healthy white blood cells. This overgrowth displaces the healthy, normal blood cells that the body requires.
Symptoms of Leukemia
The symptoms of leukaemia can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease. These symptoms can manifest slowly over time or appear all of a sudden, depending on the type of leukaemia and how it progresses. Some common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Pain or fullness below the ribs (from enlarged spleen or liver in some cases)
- Bone pain or tenderness
Causes of Leukemia
The causes of leukaemia are as follows:
Genetic factors
Genetic factors largely influence leukaemias because some inherited abnormalities or mutations can make a person more susceptible to the disease. These genetic mutations frequently alter the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis (cell death), which can result in the unchecked proliferation of aberrant cells in the bone marrow.
Leukaemia development is known to be influenced by factors such as gene mutations in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) or chromosomal abnormalities like the Philadelphia chromosome in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).
Exposure to Radiation
Ionising radiation exposure is a well-established risk factor for leukaemia, especially for those who have had high-dose radiation therapy for prior cancers or nuclear accidents, as well as industrial workers who are exposed to radiation. Ionising radiation breaks down the DNA in cells, including the bone marrow stem cells that produce red blood cells.
Eventually, these damages may result in mutations that start the development of leukaemia. Leukaemia risk after radiation exposure is influenced by radiation type, dose, and duration, with longer exposure times and higher doses asking for a greater risk.
Chemical Exposure
Chemical exposure has been linked to a higher incidence of leukaemia, especially when it comes to substances that are carcinogenic, such as benzene and some industrial solvents. Benzene is a chemical that can be found in cigarettes, gasoline, and industrial solvents.
It is known to interfere with the normal production of blood cells and raise the risk of developing leukaemia, especially acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The process requires benzene metabolites to attach themselves to DNA, which causes chromosome abnormalities and genetic mutations in bone marrow cells.
There is a higher risk of occupational exposure for workers in industries like manufacturing, petroleum refining, and chemical production. It emphasises the need for strict workplace safety regulations and routine monitoring to reduce exposure to carcinogenic chemicals linked to leukaemia.
Viral Infections
Leukaemia has been linked to specific viral infections, though this is responsible for a smaller portion of cases than those caused by genetic and environmental factors. One example of a rare and deadly form of leukaemia affecting T-cells is adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL), which is known to be caused by the human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1).
HTLV-1 disrupts regular cellular processes and encourages unchecked cell growth by infecting T-cells and integrating its genome into the host cell’s DNA.
Family History
The risk of leukaemia is also influenced by family history. People who have a direct relative (parent, sibling, or child) who has been medically diagnosed with the disease have a slightly higher risk than the general population. It raises the possibility of a genetic predisposition or shared environmental factors within families that might help in the development of leukaemia.
As most cases of leukaemia are rare and result from a combination of genetic mutations and environmental exposures, the overall contribution of family history to leukaemia risk is still relatively small. To monitor and manage potential risks proactively, individuals with a family history of leukaemia may benefit from genetic counselling and periodic health screenings.
Treatments for Leukemia
Now, let’s look at the various treatment options for leukaemia, which include:
Chemotherapy
One of the most important aspects of treating leukaemia is chemotherapy, which is giving strong medications intended to either kill or stop the growth of leukaemia cells. These medications function by focusing on cells that divide quickly, including cancer cells.
Chemotherapy may be employed independently or together with other treatments, like radiation therapy or stem cell transplantation, depending on the particular type and stage of leukaemia.
Chemotherapy has many positive effects, but it can also have negative side effects like nausea, hair loss, and increased sensitivity to infections. Chemotherapy patients now have hope thanks to advancements in treatments that have improved outcomes and decreased side effects.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy plays a notable role in the treatment of leukaemia, particularly in cases where localised radiation can successfully target and eliminate cancer cells. This treatment employs high-energy beams or particles directed precisely at the affected area.
Radiation treatment for leukaemia can be used to reduce tumour size, manage symptoms, or get rid of diseased bone marrow to get the body ready for a stem cell transplant. Radiation therapy, although practical, can have side effects, such as fatigue, skin changes, and possibly long-term effects on healthy tissues, depending on the dose and area treated.
Stem Cell Transplant
Stem cell transplant, or bone marrow transplantation, offers a potential cure for some types of leukaemia by replacing unhealthy or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells. These stem cells may be obtained from an allogeneic transplant or the patient directly (autologous transplant).
The process requires infusing healthy stem cells into the bone marrow to rebuild it and resume average blood cell production after high-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which are used to kill leukaemia cells and block the immune system.
Stem cell transplantation carries risks associated with it, including infections, graft-versus-host disease (in allogeneic transplants), and other complications, despite its potential benefits.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a potentially effective way to treat leukaemia by enhancing the body’s immune system’s capacity to identify and fight cancer cells.
This therapy combines a variety of approaches, all aimed at boosting the body’s defences against leukaemia cells, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and monoclonal antibodies.
Leukemia cells are identified for destruction by the immune system using monoclonal antibodies, which specifically target specific proteins in the cells. The process of genetically altering a patient’s T-cells to identify and eliminate leukaemia cells is known as CAR T-cell therapy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, leukaemia is a challenging disease that requires careful attention because it has many different symptoms, causes, and treatment options that are constantly changing.
Finding it is essential because the symptoms can be subtle and may resemble other health issues. The causes of leukaemia are diverse, involving genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and potentially unknown causes. Treatment strategies have advanced significantly, offering hope through targeted therapies, chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplants.
