Leukemia

Leukemia (blood cancer) is a clonal malignant hematopoietic-stem-cell disorder; leukemic cells lose further differentiation/maturation capacity and arrest at various developmental stages. In marrow/hematopoietic tissue, leukemic cells massively proliferate/accumulate and infiltrate other organs/tissues, while suppressing normal hematopoiesis. Clinical: anemia, bleeding, infection, organ infiltration. Treatable: chemo, radiation, hormone therapy, bone-marrow transplant. Cure rate age-dependent; children more curable than adults.

Common Symptoms

Coma; hepatosplenomegaly; petechiae; splenomegaly; bone pain; severe pain; persistent fever; thinning/lateral eyebrow loss; dry ear-shell necrosis

Causes and Pathogenesis

Type-C RNA retrovirus proven cause in mice/cats/cattle/sheep/primates; provirus integrates into host DNA. v-onc oncogenes; endogenous proto-oncogenes; activation by retroviral insertion. Only adult T-cell leukemia proven viral in humans. Genetic: 8.1% family history (vs 0.5% controls); consanguinity = 30x ALL; Down/Bloom/Fanconi syndromes; Sydney line in 50% pediatric ALL; HLA-A2/A9 association. But not generally hereditary. Ionizing radiation (1-9Gy; latency 2-16y; breaks DNA; induces acute/chronic non-lymphocytic and chronic myeloid, not chronic lymphocytic). Benzene (acute myeloblastic/erythroleukemia); alkylating agents/cytotoxic drugs cause secondary leukemia (especially after lymphoma/immunodeficiency tumors; breast/ovarian/lung cancer chemo).

Treatment

Drug, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

(1) Avoid excessive X-rays/radiation; PPE; pregnant women/infants avoid. (2) Prevent infections (type-C RNA virus). (3) Cautious drug use (chloramphenicol/phenylbutazone/antivirals/anticancer/immunosuppressants). (4) Avoid phenol/chlorobenzene/nitrobenzene/perfumes/pesticides/synthetic fibers/rubber/plastics/dyes. (5) Screen high-risk groups. Health education: screen high-risk; occupational PPE; avoid radiation; prevent viral infection; eco-friendly renovation + ventilation before occupancy; check unexplained bleeding/low fever/arthralgia/dizziness.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Hematology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.