MAIN Health Diseases Cancer Leukemia

From the Greek meaning "white blood", leukemia typically begins in the white blood cells or in the bone marrow where white blood cells are produced.

Blood is primarily made up of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all the body's tissues from the lungs - and white blood cells, which primarily help the body fight off infection.

Leukemia disrupts this normal process by introducing a large number of abnormal white blood cells which don't perform properly and can eventually decrease the body's ability to fight off disease.

Although it has been suggested that exposure to certain chemicals, radiation, chemotherapy, or that hereditary and genetic factors may be possible risks, the causes of leukemia are still unknown.

The four main types of leukemia result in varying symptoms, and call for different treatments. The general signs of the disease, however, usually include a feeling of weakness or fatigue, abnormal bruising or wounds that are slow to heal, bone or joint pain, or anemia (low red blood cell count),

Although childhood leukemia is one of the most common cancers found in children (the more "acute" faster growing type), leukemia can affect people of all ages. It is usually diagnosed as the slower growing or "chronic" form in adults over 40.

Identifying the exact type of leukemia is important, since this determines the correct treatments. These may include a single or a combination of therapies including bone marrow transplants, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or stem cell transplantation.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Major advocacy group with busy online discussion boards offering patient, family and caregiver support, facts & information on treatment, diagnosis, childhood leukemia, related research news, clinical trials, helpful FAQ.

What You Need to Know About Leukemia - Online informational booklet from the National Cancer Institute with extensive and clear information on leukemia types, symptoms and therapies, how to prepare for treatment and related side effects, follow-up care, research outlook.

What is Childhood Leukemia? - Explanations on what it is and how it's treated, types of childhood leukemia and how it differs from adult leukemia, symptoms & diagnosis, treatment options, questions to ask your doctor, related links

Information on Leukemia - Extensive FAQ on the topic with information on symptoms, treatment options, side effects, after care, research outlook and links to related facts & resources.

MedlinePlus - Bone Marrow Transplantation - One-stop browsing for links to news & research on the leukemia treatment, how procedures are prepared for and performed, its use in childhood leukemia, information on follow-up care, clinical trials and statistics.

Learning More About Your Disease - leukemia and other blood cancers - Specific symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for acute myelogenous leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and related diseases, with links to more information.

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.