Leukemia's Effects on the Body: Understanding Symptoms and Their Aftermath
Leukemia is a type of cancer that originates in the body's blood-forming cells, specifically within the bone marrow. This disease affects the production of white blood cells (WBCs), leading to various health complications.
Types of Leukemia
Leukemia can be categorised into four main types:
- Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML): This type begins in blood-forming cells within the bone marrow and involves an overproduction of monocytes, primarily affecting older adults.
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Originating from lymphocytes, CLL also affects older adults.
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): This form begins in blood-forming cells within the bone marrow and is more common in children.
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Usually developing from cells that turn into WBCs other than lymphocytes, AML is most common in adults.
Impact of Leukemia on the Body
Leukemia affects the body in several ways, impacting the blood, bones, immune system, heart, muscles, and digestive system.
Blood
Leukemia causes an overproduction of abnormal WBCs called blasts, which cannot fight infections effectively. This leads to symptoms such as anemia (due to low red blood cells), increased bleeding or bruising (due to low platelet counts), and immune system weakness resulting in frequent infections.
Bones
Leukemia cells overcrowd the bone marrow, causing bone pain and discomfort. This occurs as the marrow becomes overwhelmed with abnormal blasts.
Immune System
The abnormal white blood cells are dysfunctional, weakening the immune response. This results in persistent infections, skin infections, and increased susceptibility to colds, urinary tract infections, and other illnesses.
Heart
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), resulting from rapid breakdown of leukemia blasts, can cause imbalances in blood electrolytes (potassium, phosphate, uric acid), leading to kidney damage and heart problems if untreated. Leukostasis can also cause chest pain and contribute to cardiovascular strain.
Muscles
Symptoms such as fatigue and weakness are common, likely due to anemia, infection, and the body's overall weakened state. Additionally, joint and muscle pain may occur, especially in certain types of leukemia like ALL.
Digestive System
Leukemia can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, either from the disease itself or from treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Enlargement of organs like the spleen or liver may cause abdominal fullness and discomfort.
Treatment and Management
Chemotherapy is a primary treatment for leukemia, but it may cause side effects such as loss of appetite, mouth sores, hair loss, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting. However, doctors can prescribe medications to prevent or reduce some of these side effects or provide referrals to other doctors to address symptoms and side effects.
Seeking practical or emotional support from a support group, friends, and family can be beneficial in improving a person's quality of life. Coping strategies for fatigue include being flexible with plans, setting priorities, asking for help, managing nutrition, improving sleep habits, and engaging in light activity.
It's essential to remember that leukemia can be either acute or chronic. Acute leukemia progresses much faster than chronic leukemia and requires more immediate treatment.
In conclusion, leukemia disrupts normal blood cell production, leading to various health complications. However, with proper treatment and care, it is possible to manage the disease and improve quality of life.
- The classified types of leukemia can affect both children and older adults, with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) being more common in children.
- Other leukemias, like Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), usually develop from cells that turn into white blood cells other than lymphocytes and are more common in adults.
- The science behind leukemia treatment continually evolves to help address the disease and its effects on the immune system, chronic diseases, and overall health-and-wellness.
- Mental-health concerns may arise during treatment, emphasizing the importance of incorporating fitness-and-exercise, mental-health support, and wellness practices into one's routine.
- The systemic nature of leukemia can cause various symptoms that impact not only the blood but also the bones, heart, muscles, digestive system, and immune system, negatively affecting one's general well-being.
