Recognize the Characteristics and Symptoms of Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer or malignancy that attacks the bone marrow that produces blood cells, the most affected blood cells are white blood cells (leukocytes) so the disease is also called white blood cancer. When the disease leukemia attack, then the main characteristic is the increase in the number of leukocytes that so much exceeds the normal value this will cause various symptoms of leukemia that we can observe both physically and laboratory.
We know that white blood cells or leukocytes have a very important role in our immune system, even this is the main cell of the immune system. Although leukemia in the number of leukocytes to many, does not mean it becomes better, it is actually detrimental because white blood cells are formed is not a normal cell so it does not have a normal leukocyte function. Bone marrow, which is the organ of producing blood cells, becomes uncontrolled when exposed to leukemia, the blood cells produced by the majority of abnormal white blood cells, this will harm the production of other blood cells, such as red blood cells and platelet production to decline , and of course this will lead to various symptoms and features of leukemia that we will discuss here. Symptoms and Characteristics of Leukemia Some of the main features and symptoms of leukemia include: Fever, chills Fatigue, weakness Loss of appetite, weight loss Night sweats Pain Bones / joints Discomfort in the stomach Headache Shortness of breath Often infected with infectious diseases Easy bruising or Petechiae bleeding (small red spots under the skin) Because some conditions often present together with leukima disease, the following are also features of leukemia: Anemia Occurs due to low red blood cell count (erythrocytes) caused by decreased production by the bone-bone because it focuses more on producing abnormal white blood cells, as has been alluded to earlier. Though red blood cells is very important for the health of the body because its main function is to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Therefore, anemia characteristics also exist in leukemia, namely weakness, lethargy, shortness of breath, dizziness dizzy, difficulty concentrating, and looking pale. Weak Body Resistance White blood cells are very important for the body's resistance, its main function is to dispel infectious microorganisms and toxins harmful to the body. In white blood cell leukemia disease is indeed a lot, but it is an abnormal white blood cells that are not healthy and not functioning well, while normal white blood cells that function well very little. This will weaken the defense or immunity, which can make a person more susceptible to infection. Therefore, the characteristics of leukemia is further susceptible to diarrhea, flu, fever, and so forth. Blood Clotting Disorder This is related to the amountlow platelets (thrombocytopenia). Platelets are the blood cells responsible for blood clotting. In platelet leukemia the thrombocyte may also be low, its fate equals the above erythocytes; when the bone marrow is out of control due to leukemia the production focus is abnormal leukocytes, so that other blood cells (erythrocytes and platelets) become decreased in production. Platelet deficiency can lead to easy bruising or bleeding. So that the dark red spots under the skin, easy nosebleeds, easy gastrointestinal bleeding (bloody chapter or vomiting blood) and easy bruising when a minor collision is a characteristic of leukemia that we need to be aware of. Swollen Lymph Nodes In some cases, signs of leukemia that we can observe from physical appearance include swelling of the neck, armpits or groin. The swelling comes from the lymph nodes, because the leukemia disease has spread to the lymph nodes. If this continues without treatment, it may subsequently turn into lymphoma (lymphoma) cancer. Enlargement of the Liver or Spleen Abnormal blood cells that accumulate in the liver or spleen can cause a feeling of satiety (loss of appetite) or swelling of the liver and spleen seen or palpable in the upper abdomen; top right for the heart and upper left for the spleen. If it is very large, the swelling will also get to the lower abdomen. How to diagnose leukemia? Keep in mind that in the early stages of the disease, leukemia often does not show the characteristics as above, sometimes the disease is found when doctors perform routine checks, for example at the time of Medical Check-Up by looking at the results of routine blood tests. When you are suspected of leukemia, the first step is to do anamnesis (medical interview) to ask the symptoms of leukemia as above, then the doctor will perform a physical examination to look for lymph enlargement, bleeding spots, enlarged spleen and others. as in the characteristics of leukemia above. The next stage is the investigation or laboratory, first of which will be checked is a routine blood test to see the number of leukocytes (leukemia in leukemia increases) read: Leukosit normal and Leucocytes High (Leucocytosis) this leukemia is still suspected. To confirm the diagnosis and identify certain types of leukemia, a needle biopsy and bone marrow aspiration of the pelvic bone is required to test leukemia cells, DNA markers, and chromosomal changes in the bone marrow. Treatment of Leukemia Treatment for leukemia depends on many factors. Will be considered based on age and overall health, type of leukemia, and whether it has spread to other body parts. Common treatments used to treat leukemia include: Chemotherapy. Primary therapy by using chemical drugs to kill leukemia cells. Depending on the type of leukemia, use may be a single drug or a combination. These drugs are available in pill form, or injections directly into a blood vessel. Biological therapy. Using treatments that help the immune system recognize and attack leukemia cells. Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses X-rays or other to damage leukemia cells and stop its growth. You may receive radiation in one specific area of the body where there is a collection of leukemia cells, or may receive radiation throughout the body. Radiation therapy can be used to prepare for stem cell transplantation. Stem cell transplantation. A stem cell transplant is a procedure to replace damaged bone marrow with healthy bone marrow. Before stem cell transplantation, patients should receive high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy first to destroy damaged bone marrow. Stem cells can be obtained from the donor, or in some cases may be able to use the stem itself. Stem cell transplantation is very similar to bone marrow transplant. That is the complete feature of the symptoms of leukemia that we need to be aware of, when suspecting immediately perform the examination, because in principle the earlier known and treated then the results will be much better than waiting until severe.
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