Leukaemia is a group of cancers that originate in the bone marrow, producing abnormal white blood cells. These cells form in the bone marrow — the soft, spongy inner portion of certain bones. Acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) are the most common types in adults. Chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are less common. Although uncommonly diagnosed in adults, ALL represents about 85% of all childhood leukaemias, while about 15% of pediatric leukaemias are AML.

Normal blood-cell development begins in the marrow from the hematopoietic stem cells. These primitive cells are capable of developing into full range of blood cells — red and white blood cells and platelets — each of which makes important contributions to how the body functions. Normal, healthy white blood cells, or leukocytes, have a very short life span — sometimes only a few hours long — and are continuously replenished in the bone marrow. They proceed through their life cycles in an orderly way, and when they die they are replaced by new cells.

Leukaemia develops when the genetic material, or DNA, of a white blood cell is altered giving growth advantage to that leukocyte. The diseased cells cannot mature beyond an early stage in their life cycles, so they never develop into functional cells. Because they do not mature, they become immortal and live indefinitely. The diseased cells — called blasts — eventually take over the bone marrow and do not allow normal RBC, WBC and platelet development.As the numbers of normal cells decline, patients may develop anaemia, a low level of oxygen-carrying red blood cells; infections caused by low counts of micro-organism fighting white blood cells; and bruising and bleeding, resulting from low levels of platelets, the blood component crucial to blood clotting and wound healing. Leukaemic cells may also invade the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and other organs.
TYPES OF LEUKAEMIA

Blood cells can become malignant at any stage in their development. The leukaemia cells that result carry many characteristics of the cell from which they originate. Most leukaemias develop from one of two types of white blood cells, lymphocytes or myelocytes, and are classified as lymphocytic leukaemia or myeloid leukaemia, respectively.

Lymphocytic Leukaemia
Myeloid Leukaemia
Acute or Chronic Leukaemia

TREATMENT

Apollo Cancer Centres provides multi disciplinary care in treating leukaemia. An expert team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and bone marrow transplant specialists work in coordination to provide treatment. A well equipped blood bank along with Apheresis equipment helps in stem cell collection and in providing blood components to the critically sick patients with low counts. Latest advances in chemotherapy, radiation leukaemia therapy, and bone marrow and/or stem cell transplantation combined with the expertise and skills of doctors from across many medical disciplines offer comprehensive treatment options along with compassionate care.

A collaborative approach is very important when caring for people with leukaemia because many patients require more than one form of treatment. Having a team of specialists working together from the very beginning optimises patient care.

Members of the team meet regularly to review and discuss each patient’s treatment plan. Other specialists, including those who provide psychosocial support, help the team meet the nonmedical needs of both patients and their caregivers. These healthcare professionals work together to provide a full spectrum of supportive and holistic care.

Article by
Apollo Hospitals