Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Health Article

Coping with cancer treatment

Since many CLL patients die from infection, it is essential that patient be very alert to the signs of infection. If patients perform this role and seek medical attention as soon as symptoms of infection appear, then treatment can be started early. This may save a life.

It is very difficult for some patients to be not only informed that they have leukemia but then to also be told that they do not need treatment. This may be very confusing, unless the patient realizes that treatment may be necessary at some future time and that starting therapies too soon may be counterproductive.

Because nutritional alteration, weight loss, and psychosocial problems may accompany CLL, it may be prudent for patients to consult with a registered dietitian.

Cancer patients need supportive care to help them come through the treatment period with physical and emotional strength in tact. Many patients experience feelings of depression, anxiety, and fatigue, and many experience nausea and vomiting during treatment. Studies have shown that these can be managed effectively if discussed with the attending physician.

Prevention

Although some cancers are related to known risk factors, such as smoking, in leukemias, there are no known risk factors. Therefore, at the present time, there is no way known to prevent the leukemias from developing. Everyone should undergo periodic medical checkups.

Resources

BOOKS

Braunwald, Eugene, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 15th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.

deWitt, Susan C. Essentials of Medical-Surgical Nursing 4th ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1998.

Herfindal, Eric T., Dick R. Gourley. Textbook of Therapeutics: Drug and Disease Management, 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000.

Humes, H. David, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Internal Medicine4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000.

Pazdur, Richard, et al. Cancer Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach: Medical, Surgical, & Radiation Oncology 4th ed. Melville, NY: PRR, 2000.

Souhami, Robert, Jeffrey Tobias. Cancer and Its Management3rd ed. London: Blackwell Science, 1998.

PERIODICALS

Mauro, F. R., et al. "Clinical characteristics and outcome of young chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients: A single institution study of 204 cases." Blood 1999; 94: 448-454.

ORGANIZATIONS

The National Cancer Institute publishes useful texts available through the internet or by mail, and answers questions by telephone. Some titles include: What You Need to Know about Leukemia, and PDQ -Treatment -Patients: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Call 1-800-4CANCER or visit on the Internet at <www.nci.nih.gov/>.

The American Cancer Society publishes useful texts, such asAdult Chronic Leukemia -Overview, Leukemia -Adult Chronic: Treatment, Leukemia -Adult Chronic: Detection and Symptoms, Leukemia: Adult Chronic FAQ [Frequently Asked Questions], and Leukemia -Adult Chronic: Prevention & Risk. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 or on the Internet at <www.cancer.org/>

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Formerly Leukemia Society of America) publishes useful texts available through the Internet or by mail, including Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Making Intelligent Choices About Therapy, Understanding Blood Counts, Patient Aid Program, Family Support Group, and Information Resource Center. Call 1-800-955-4572 or visit on the Internet at <www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/>.

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. 1010 Wayne Avenue, 7th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910-5600. Telephone: (301) 650-9127 and (877) NCCS-YES [877-622-7937). Web site: <www.cansearch.org>.

Lata Cherath, Ph.D.

Bob Kirsch

Antibodies

—Proteins made by the B lymphocytes in response to the presence of infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses, in the body.

Biopsy

—The surgical removal and microscopic examination of living tissue for diagnostic purposes.

Chemotherapy

—Treatment with drugs that act against cancer.

Chromosome

—Part of the cell that carries genetic material.

Cytokines

—Chemicals made by the cells that act on other cells to stimulate or inhibit their function. Cytokines that stimulate growth are called "growth factors."

Immunotherapy

—Treatment of cancer by stimulating the body's immune defense system.

Maturation

—The process by which stem cells transform from immature cells without a specific function into a particular type of blood cell with defined functions.

Radiation therapy

—Treatment using high-energy radiation from x-ray machines, cobalt, radium, or other sources.

Remission

—A disappearance of a disease as a result of treatment. Complete remission means that all disease is gone. Partial remission means that the disease is significantly improved by treatment, but residual traces of the disease are still present.