LeukemiaBy: Dimple Patel

Thesis STATEMENT

• Though the cause of leukemia is still unknown, with new research and technology, many leukemia victims are surviving longer and are healthier than ever before.

What is leukemia?

• Leukemia is a type of cancer that occurs in blood forming tissues, such as the bone marrow and the lymphatic system.

• This cancer starts in the white blood cells

• The word “leuk” means white in Greek

• www.uiowa.edu/~cemrf/archive/sem/large/

Silverstein, Alvin, Virginia Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein Nunn.  

General information

•The body has three different types of cells• Red blood cells• White Blood cells• Platelets

Red blood cells.http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulundone/

3272901942/(Silverstein)

Causes and Risk Factors

• Not known exactly• Abnormal

chromosomes• Myelodysplasia

• Environmental factors

• Pollution

• Household chemicals

• Benzene and petroleum containing products

• “few studies have examined the association between home use of solvents and the risk of childhood leukemia.”

• Results: “ALL risk was significantly associated with paint exposure.”

(Scelo, Ghislaine)( 133-139)

Causes Cont’d

•Exposure to radiation and certain chemicals

•Genetics

•Cancer therapy• This is a rare and unfortunate risk , but it is

certainly possible

• Scelo,  133-139.

Symptoms

• Fever and chills

• Frequent infections

• Loss of appetite

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Enlarged liver or spleen

• Shortness of breath

• Petechaie • Tiny red spots on the

skin

• Bruising and bleeding very easily

• Pain in the bones

• Lots of sweating, mainly at night.

(Ball, Edward D, and Gregory A Lelek)

When to find medical advice

•When common symptoms start to show more frequently and do not go away

•May want to see your family doctor or oncologist

(Ball, Edward D, and Gregory A Lelek)

Tests

•Physical exam

•Blood Tests

•Immunophenotype

•Cytogenetic analysis

•Bone marrow samples

Progression of Leukemia

•Chronic leukemia

•Acute leukemia

(Silverstein)

Which cells are affected?

•Lymphocytic leukemia

•Myelogenous leukemia

Silverstein, Alvin, Virginia Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein Nunn.

TYPES OF Leukemia

•Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

•Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)

•Chronic lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

•Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

(Belson, Martin, Beverely Kingsley, and Adrianne Holmes) : p.138-145

Influences of Treatments

•Based on the type of leukemia• Present in cerebrospinal fluid• Treated before?• Features of leukemia cells• Patients symptoms and health

(Ball, Edward D, and Gregory A Lelek)

Leukemia & chemotherapy

• Single drug or combination of two or more drugs

• Can be given by• Mouth• Injection into vein• Catheter• Inject directly into

cerebrospinal fluid• Inject straight into

spine

(Silverstein)

worldofcure.com

Leukemia & radiation therapy

Radiation therapy

high energy rays kills cancer cells

Large machine

rays are directed at body part

There are side effects to this treatment!

http://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/sc/cancer/img/linac2.jpg

(Silverstein)

Bone marrow transplant

•Replaces abnormal stem cells

•High doses of chemo and radiation destroy bone marrowhttp://www.adventisthealthcare.com/adam/graphics/images/en/12665.jpg

Silverstein, Alvin, Virginia Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein Nunn.

Living With Leukemia

•Challenging

•Support groups

•Depression

•Financial tensions

•Worrying about family

Apel

Support

•The American Cancer Society

American Cancer Society

Children With Leukemia

• Each year about 2000 children in the United States are diagnosed with Leukemia.

• Two main types of leukemia in children• Acute Lymphoblastic

Leukemia (ALL)• Acute Myelogenous

Leukemia (AML)

(Insert picture here)

Belson, Martin, Beverely Kingsley, and Adrianne Holmes.

Children with leukemia Cont’d

•Childhood (ALL) risk factors• Sibling with leukemia• Caucasian or Hispanic• Exposed to radiation

(Picture goes here)

Belson, Martin, Beverely Kingsley, and Adrianne Holmes.

Symptoms of childhood leukemia

•Looks pale•Feel weak and tired•Bleed or bruise very easily•Fever•Fatigue•Frequent infections•Painless blue or purple lumps in neck, underarm, stomach or groin area

Belson, Martin, Beverely Kingsley, and Adrianne Holmes.

PBSC

• Type of a treatment:• Peripheral Blood Stem Cell

(Preidt)

(Picture goes here)

RESEARCH

•Living longer

•Patients that are treated with transplants

(Picture goes here)

(Preidt)

High risk jobs

Risky jobs that may cause Acute myelogenous leukemia

(insert picture here)

Side effects of Treatments

•Chemotherapy

•Radiation

Side effects of Transplants

GCHD(Graft

versus host disease)

• Insert picture here

.Ball, Edward D, and Gregory A Lelek

Follow Up

The aftermath of the treatment

.Ball, Edward D, and Gregory A Lelek

Look Good…Feel Better

•“The latest cancer treatments aren’t always prescribed by doctors”

CTFA foundation

HOMe Treatment

•Helping yourself at home to make yourself healthier and better

(insert picture here)

Bets Davis

Emotions

•Thinking about death

•Your life is not over

Insert picture here

Bets Davis

Hospitals in our area treating

leukemia

• University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center

• Thomas Jefferson Kimmel Cancer Center

• Wistar Institute cancer Center of Philadelphia.

Mercy Suburban Cancer Center