leukemia causes
General description
Leukemia is cancer of the tissues that make up the blood in the body, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system.
There are many types of leukemia. Some forms of leukemia are more frequent in children. Others take place, mainly, in adults.
Leukemia, usually, involves white blood cells. White blood cells are powerful fighters of infections; In general, they grow and divide in an organized manner, as the body needs them. But in people who have leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells that do not work properly.
Treatment for leukemia can be complex, depending on the type of leukemia and other factors. But there are strategies and resources that can help make the treatment successful.
Leukemia care at Mayo Clinic
symptom
The symptoms of leukemia vary depending on the type of leukemia. The common signs and symptoms of leukemia are the following:
Fever or chills
Persistent fatigue, weakness
Frequent or serious infections
Thinning without proposing it
Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen
Bleeding easily and bruising
Recurrent nosebleeds
Small red spots on the skin (petechiae)
Excessive sweating, especially at night
Pain or sensitivity in the bones
When to see the doctor
Ask for a consultation with your doctor if you have persistent symptoms or signs that worry you.
The symptoms of leukemia are usually vague and unspecific. You may miss the early symptoms of leukemia because they resemble those of influenza and other common illnesses.
In rare cases, leukemia can be discovered in blood tests that are ordered for another disease.
When to see the doctor
Ask for a consultation with your doctor if you have persistent symptoms or signs that worry you.
The symptoms of leukemia are usually vague and unspecific. You may miss the early symptoms of leukemia because they resemble those of influenza and other common illnesses.In rare cases, leukemia can be discovered in blood tests that are ordered for another disease.
Request a Consultation at Mayo Clinic
Causes
Parts of the immune system
Parts of the immune system
Scientists do not understand exactly what the causes of leukemia are. Apparently, it is generated from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
How leukemia is formed
In general, it is believed that leukemia occurs when some blood cells acquire mutations in DNA (the information that is found inside each cell and that directs its function). There may be other changes in the cells that are still not fully understood and that could contribute to causing the leukemia.
Some abnormalities cause the cell to grow and divide more quickly, and to continue to live when normal cells have already died. Over time, these abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow, which decreases the number of healthy platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells, and causes the signs and symptoms of leukemia.
How leukemia is classified
Doctors classify leukemia based on the speed of evolution and the types of cells involved.
The first type of classification focuses on the rate of evolution of leukemia:
Acute leukemia. In acute leukemia, abnormal blood cells are immature blood cells (blasts). They can not fulfill their normal functions and multiply fast; therefore, the disease worsens rapidly. Acute leukemia requires timely and aggressive treatment.
Chronic leukemia There are many types of chronic leukemia. Some produce too many cells and others, very few. Chronic leukemia includes more mature blood cells. These blood cells replicate and accumulate very slowly, and can function normally for a while. Some forms of chronic leukemia, at first, do not produce early symptoms, so they may go unnoticed or not diagnosed for years.
The second type of classification takes into account the type of affected white blood cell:
Lymphocytic leukemia This type of leukemia affects the lymphoid cells (lymphocytes) that make up the lymphoid or lymphatic tissue. The lymphatic tissue forms the immune system.
Myelogenous leukemia This type of leukemia affects the myeloid cells. These cause red blood cells, white blood cells and cells that produce platelets.
Types of leukemia
These are the main types of leukemia:
Acute lymphocytic leukemia. This is the most frequent type of leukemia in young children. Acute lymphocytic leukemia can also affect adults.
Acute myelogenous leukemia. Acute myelogenous leukemia is a type of frequent leukemia. It affects children and adults. Acute myelogenous leukemia is the most frequent type of acute leukemia in adults.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. If you have chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the most common chronic leukemia in adults, you may feel well for years without needing treatment.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia. This type of leukemia affects mainly adults. A person suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia has few or no symptoms for months or years before entering a phase in which the leukemia cells grow faster.
Other types of leukemia. There are other rare types of leukemia, such as hairy cell leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative disorders.
How leukemia is formed
In general, it is believed that leukemia occurs when some blood cells acquire mutations in DNA (the information that is found inside each cell and that directs its function). There may be other changes in the cells that are still not fully understood and that could contribute to causing the leukemia. Some abnormalities cause the cell to grow and divide more quickly, and to continue to live when normal cells have already died. Over time, these abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow, which decreases the number of healthy platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells, and causes the signs and symptoms of leukemia.
How leukemia is classified
Doctors classify leukemia based on the speed of evolution and the types of cells involved.
The first type of classification focuses on the rate of evolution of leukemia:
Acute leukemia. In acute leukemia, abnormal blood cells are immature blood cells (blasts). They can not fulfill their normal functions and multiply fast; therefore, the disease worsens rapidly. Acute leukemia requires timely and aggressive treatment.
Chronic leukemia There are many types of chronic leukemia. Some produce too many cells and others, very few. Chronic leukemia includes more mature blood cells. These blood cells replicate and accumulate very slowly, and can function normally for a while. Some forms of chronic leukemia, at first, do not produce early symptoms, so they may go unnoticed or not diagnosed for years.
The second type of classification takes into account the type of affected white blood cell:
Lymphocytic leukemia This type of leukemia affects the lymphoid cells (lymphocytes) that make up the lymphoid or lymphatic tissue. The lymphatic tissue forms the immune system.
Myelogenous leukemia This type of leukemia affects the myeloid cells. These cause red blood cells, white blood cells and cells that produce platelets.
Types of leukemia
These are the main types of leukemia:
Acute lymphocytic leukemia. This is the most frequent type of leukemia in young children. Acute lymphocytic leukemia can also affect adults.
Acute myelogenous leukemia. Acute myelogenous leukemia is a type of frequent leukemia. It affects children and adults. Acute myelogenous leukemia is the most frequent type of acute leukemia in adults.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. If you have chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the most common chronic leukemia in adults, you may feel well for years without needing treatment.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia. This type of leukemia affects mainly adults. A person suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia has few or no symptoms for months or years before entering a phase in which the leukemia cells grow faster.
Other types of leukemia. There are other rare types of leukemia, such as hairy cell leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative disorders.
Risk factor's
The factors that can increase the risks of manifesting some types of leukemia are:
Previous oncological treatments. People who have had certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for other types of cancer are at higher risk of developing certain types of leukemia.
Genetic disorders. Genetic abnormalities appear to play a role in the development of leukemia. Certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, are associated with an increased risk of suffering from leukemia.
Exposure to certain chemical substances. Exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene (which is found in gasoline and used in the chemical industry), is also linked to an increased risk of some types of leukemia.
Smoke. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of acute myelogenous leukemia.
Family history of leukemia. If a member of your family has been diagnosed with leukemia, your risk of developing the disease may increase.
However, most people with known risk factors do not have leukemia. And many people with leukemia do not have any of these risk factors.
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