Leukemias, Chronic Health Article
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Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: What Patients Should Know
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Prognosis
The prognosis for leukemia depends on the patient's age and general health. According to statistics, in chronic lymphoid leukemia, the overall survival for all stages of the disease is nine years. Most of the deaths in people with CLL are due to infections or other illnesses that occur as a result of the leukemia.
In CML, if bone marrow transplantation is performed within one to three years of diagnosis, 50 to 60 percent of the patients survive three years or more. If the disease progresses to the acute phase, the prognosis is poor. Less than 20 percent of these patients go into remission.
KEY TERMS
Antibody—A special protein made by the body's immune system as a defense against foreign material (bacteria, viruses, etc.) that enters the body. It is uniquely designed to attack and neutralize the specific antigen that triggered the immune response.
Biopsy—The surgical removal and microscopic examination of living tissue for diagnostic purposes or to follow the course of a disease. Most commonly the term refers to the collection and analysis of tissue from a suspected tumor to establish malignancy.
Chemotherapy—Any treatment of an illness with chemical agents. The term is usually used to describe the treatment of cancer with drugs that inhibit cancer growth or destroy cancer cells.
Computed tomography (CT)—An imaging technique in which cross-sectional x rays of the body are compiled to create a three-dimensional image of the body's internal structures; also called computed axial tomography.
Cytokines—Chemicals made by the cells that act on other cells to stimulate or inhibit their function. They are important controllers of immune functions.
Immunotherapy—A mode of cancer treatment in which the immune system is stimulated to fight the cancer.
Lumbar puncture—A procedure in which the doctor inserts a small needle into the spinal cavity in the lower back to withdraw spinal fluid for testing. Also known as a spinal tap.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—An imaging technique that uses a large circular magnet and radio waves to generate signals from atoms in the body. These signals are used to construct detailed images of internal body structures and organs, including the brain.
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—A cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays or particles to kill or weaken cancer cells. Radiation may be delivered externally or internally via surgically implanted pellets. Also called radiotherapy.
Remission—A disappearance of a disease and its symptoms. Complete remission means that all disease is gone. Partial remission means that the disease is significantly improved, but residual traces of the disease are still present. A remission may be due to treatment or may be spontaneous.
Prevention
Most cancers can be prevented by changes in lifestyle or diet, which will reduce the risk factors. However, in leukemias, there were as of 2004 no known risk factors. Therefore, as of 2004, there was no way known to prevent the leukemias from developing. People who are at an increased risk for developing leukemia because of
Parental concerns
Parents of a child with leukemia must balance their own fears for their child's health with the child's fears and worries. Also, given the large financial burden leukemia treatment entails, parents will want to make sure they are aware of what and what is not covered by their insurance. Parents can find a variety of sources, written and online, that will help them deal with the new circumstances of themselves and their family.
BOOKS
Cheson, Bruce D. "Chronic Lymphoid Leukemias." In Clinical Oncology. Edited by Martin D. Abeloff. London: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.
——. "Chronic Myeloid Leukemias." In Clinical Oncology. Edited by Martin D. Abeloff. London: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.
Tubergen, David G., and Archie Bleyer. "The Leukemias." In Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Edited by Richard E. Behrman et al. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2004.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Cancer Society. 1599 Clifton Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30329–4251. Web site: <www.cancer.org>.
Cancer Research Institute. 681 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10022. Web site: <www.cancerresearch.org>.
Leukemia Society of America Inc. 600 Third Ave., New York, NY 10016. Web site: <www.leukemia.org>.
National Cancer Institute. Building 31, Room 10A31, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2580, Bethesda, MD 20892–2580. Web site: <www.nci.nih.gov>.
Lata Cherath, PhD Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
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Author Info: Lata Cherath PhD, Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt MD, Thomson Gale, Gale, Detroit, Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health, 2006 |
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