Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a blood cancer caused by bone marrow disorders. The word "chronic" in lymphocytic leukemia indicates that the disease develops or worsens slowly. In other words, the patient has no symptoms at the beginning of the disease. Symptoms can be felt when the cancer begins to spread to the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.
Symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia range from shortness of breath to susceptibility to infection. This condition will be better if you receive treatment immediately. If chronic lymphocytic leukemia is not treated adequately, it can cause complications in the form of immune system disorders until other types of cancer develop.
Causes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Bone marrow is a tissue located in the middle of the bone and can produce several blood cells, including lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell and are used to help fight bodily infections.
In someone suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the function of the bone marrow is disrupted, resulting in too much immature and abnormal lymphocytes.
The exact cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is unknown. However, it is suspected that the emergence of cancer that affects bone marrow function is the presence of mutations or changes in genes.
There are several factors that are believed to increase a person's risk for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, namely:
Symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic lymphoid leukemia usually does not cause symptoms at first. Patients experience symptoms only after a long period of time, or when the cancer begins to spread to the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.
Here are some of the symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia:
Diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
The diagnostic process begins with an examination of the patient's symptoms and medical history. After the initial process is complete, the diagnosis is followed by a blood test. The blood test aims to detect the number of white blood cells (especially lymphocytes), platelets and red blood cells.
If the white blood cells in the body are found to be high, the doctor will continue the bone marrow aspiration test, as well as a biopsy. In the examination process, the doctor will use a special needle to collect blood and tissue samples from the bone marrow. Once collected, the sample will be examined further in the laboratory.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are designed to determine the cause and determine the rate of disease progression, while simultaneously studying changes in existing genes. The test results will be used by the doctor to determine the steps and treatment methods used.
Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
The handling method used must be adjusted to the results of the previous inspection. If the disease is still mild and does not cause symptoms, intensive care is not needed. However, patients must always carry out routine checks with an oncologist.
Intensive care is used when the patient's condition worsens or symptoms appear. Some methods that can be used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia are:
This method of treatment can cause various side effects. Perform routine checks and consult with your doctor about what you can do to reduce the risk of side effects.
Complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
If you don't receive proper treatment, chronic lymphocytic leukemia can cause complications. Complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia vary, including:
Symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia range from shortness of breath to susceptibility to infection. This condition will be better if you receive treatment immediately. If chronic lymphocytic leukemia is not treated adequately, it can cause complications in the form of immune system disorders until other types of cancer develop.
Bone marrow is a tissue located in the middle of the bone and can produce several blood cells, including lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell and are used to help fight bodily infections.
In someone suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the function of the bone marrow is disrupted, resulting in too much immature and abnormal lymphocytes.
The exact cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is unknown. However, it is suspected that the emergence of cancer that affects bone marrow function is the presence of mutations or changes in genes.
There are several factors that are believed to increase a person's risk for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, namely:
- More than 60 years.
- Have a family member who has blood cancer.
- Frequent exposure to herbicides or insecticides.
Symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic lymphoid leukemia usually does not cause symptoms at first. Patients experience symptoms only after a long period of time, or when the cancer begins to spread to the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.
Here are some of the symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia:
- Very tired body.
- Weight loss due to unclear reasons.
- There is a painless mass or swelling in the lymph nodes in the armpits, neck, stomach, groin, or other body areas.
- fever
- Susceptible to infection.
- Stomach upset or full.
- Hard to breathe.
- Night sweats.
Diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
The diagnostic process begins with an examination of the patient's symptoms and medical history. After the initial process is complete, the diagnosis is followed by a blood test. The blood test aims to detect the number of white blood cells (especially lymphocytes), platelets and red blood cells.
If the white blood cells in the body are found to be high, the doctor will continue the bone marrow aspiration test, as well as a biopsy. In the examination process, the doctor will use a special needle to collect blood and tissue samples from the bone marrow. Once collected, the sample will be examined further in the laboratory.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are designed to determine the cause and determine the rate of disease progression, while simultaneously studying changes in existing genes. The test results will be used by the doctor to determine the steps and treatment methods used.
Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
The handling method used must be adjusted to the results of the previous inspection. If the disease is still mild and does not cause symptoms, intensive care is not needed. However, patients must always carry out routine checks with an oncologist.
Intensive care is used when the patient's condition worsens or symptoms appear. Some methods that can be used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia are:
- Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy consists of administering special drugs, by injection or by drinking, which can kill cancer cells. The medication given can be a single drug, such as chlorambucil or fludarabine, or a combination drug.
- Targeted drug therapy. Like chemotherapy, this method also involves the administration of drugs. However, drugs are given as part of the therapeutic function of drugs targeted at inhibiting the protein used by cancer cells for their survival and development. Rituximab is an example of a certain drug used in this therapy.
- Bone marrow transplantation. This method involves replacing damaged bone marrow cells with healthy bone marrow from a donor. Before a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, chemotherapy will be done first, 1 or 2 weeks before the transplant.
This method of treatment can cause various side effects. Perform routine checks and consult with your doctor about what you can do to reduce the risk of side effects.
Complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
If you don't receive proper treatment, chronic lymphocytic leukemia can cause complications. Complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia vary, including:
- Infection usually occurs in the airways.
- Impaired immune system, so the immune system can attack other normal blood cells.
- Cancer becomes more aggressive. This condition is commonly called B-cell lymphoma or Richter's syndrome.
- The emergence of other types of cancer, such as skin cancer, lung cancer and gastrointestinal cancer.
0 Response to "Chronic lymphocytic leukemia"
Post a Comment