symptoms of leukemia in adults

Leukemia in adults





Causes: What are the causes of leukemia?

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming cells ("blood cancer"). This leads to uncontrolled growth of immature precursors of blood cells ("leukemia cells") in the bone marrow and often in the lymphatic system (for example, lymph nodes). As a result, the leukemia cells are distributed throughout the body, the healthy blood cells are impaired in their function and increasingly displaced from the bone marrow. In many cases the immature precursors are deposited in other organs.
display

Every year, around 10,000 people in Germany suffer from leukemia and - among them about 500 to 600 children. The mean age of onset is 70 years in men and 72 years in women. There are several forms of leukemia: the so-called chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in western countries. In addition, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are among the most common leukemias. While in childhood only acute forms of leukemia occur, in adults also chronic forms that are slower and often begin without discomfort.

The exact causes of leukemia are unknown. Play a role:

    Genetic factors: It can lead to the accumulation of leukemia within a family, which speaks for a genetic predisposition. People who have Down syndrome are at an increased risk for leukemia.
    Radioactive Radiation and X-rays Radiation can damage the genetic material of cells. As a result, the irradiated cells can develop into cancer cells.
    Chemical substances: Especially benzene and its derivatives are associated with the development of leukemia. The substance is found among other things in cigarettes. Substances used in cancer therapy (cytostatics) can also increase the risk of leukemia, as well as crop protection products (herbicides), insect repellents (insecticides) and other biological substances (biocides).
    Viruses: Certain forms of leukemia may be promoted by a viral disease.

Complaints: How is the leukemia expressed?

The symptoms of acute leukemia usually develop suddenly within a few weeks due to the displacement of normal blood cells. Possible symptoms of leukemia are:

    Anemia
    Tiredness, exhaustion
    bone pain
    paleness
    Loss of appetite, weight loss
    dizziness
    night sweats
    Shortness of breath even with light load
    Bleeding tendency (for example, frequent bruises, nose bleeds)
    Frequent infections with fever
    Swelling of the lymph nodes
    Enlargement of the liver and spleen

Chronic leukemia is initially insidious in many people, with few or very unspecific symptoms. The disease is therefore often discovered by chance. In addition, there are often comorbidities, especially in the elderly, which make the diagnosis difficult.
display
Diagnosis: How is a leukemia diagnosed?

The first suspected leukemia is due to the symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, blood tests and a bone marrow examination are necessary. This can be used to determine which blood cells or bone marrow cells are altered and thus, which type of leukemia. With special laboratory methods, the genome of the blood cells is tested (cytogenetics, molecular biology) and searched for genetic changes. The detection of the so-called Philadelphia chromosome is found for example in over 90 percent of those affected by chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and often in other leukemia. The basic diagnostics are often followed by further examinations to assess the involvement of other organs.
Treatment: How can the leukemia be treated?

Depending on the type of leukemia and disease stage, different therapies are used. Chemotherapy with so-called cytostatic drugs is in most cases the most important treatment for leukemia. For this purpose, various cytostatics are available, which are often used in combinations. They suppress cell division and thus inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. A therapy with cytostatics works partly on healthy body cells, so that it can lead to serious complications. Especially in older leukemia patients, the effects and side effects of leukemia therapy must be carefully weighed.

In recent years, drugs have been developed that target the leukemia-causing disease process and protect healthy cells to a large extent. These drugs are part of the so-called