As Dave Belzer once said, “You can be a victim of cancer, or a survivor of cancer. It’s a mindset.” Cancer is a battle, one that can’t always be defeated. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a battle fought by children. A battle that most are fortunate, however, to overcome because of the keen knowledge and awareness regarding the biology of leukemia, easy to read symptoms, and multiple diagnosis and treatment options.
The biology of leukemia is complex, and has the potential to affect multiple systems within our body, coming in both acute and chronic waves of complexity and severity. Leukemia first off, is a cancer of the blood cells. Starting in the bone marrow, and traveling within the bloodstream, later dispersing itself throughout the body. When you have a healthy, leukemia-free body, you see three related functions working together to keep your bone marrow working properly. When cancer arrives however, bone marrow develops errors in the DNA, causing the cells to constantly grow and divide (Winslow). Some studies show that babies who develop leukemia before the age of one may have inherited a combination of genes from both parents, making them more susceptible to the cancer (Arbanas). Each body system has white blood cells, which help your body fight infection, red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body, and platelets, which help your blood clot. All three of these, travel throughout the bloodstream, as well as the bone marrow, giving the cancer cells access to all parts of your body. As leukemia begins to take place bone marrow starts to make an abnormal amount of white blood cells, known as leukemia cells. Unlike normal cells, leukemia cells are constantly growing, eventually overpowering and completely wiping out the healthy white blood cells. These cells are also known as lymphoblasts, or immature cells (Winslow). This can occur in either an acute amount of time, getting worse extremely fast and make you feel sick, with symptoms showing up right away vs chronic, which can creep up on you, slowly getting worse. Symptoms sometimes don’t show up or develop for years even after the cancer has entered the body (“Leukemia”). After studying these symptoms, the University of Michigan believes that cancer is made up of two different types of proteins, one that causes cancer cells to grow, and one that inhibits cancer growth (Michels). These two proteins have caused researchers to outsource and look for a new therapy option that will treat both abnormalities. The biology of leukemia is complex, yet scientists strive each day to find answers.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), lymphocytic, or lymphoid cancer, is the most common type of childhood leukemia and cancer. Children ages one through seven are most prominently affected. Within the United States alone, over 15,000 cases are diagnosed each year (Winslow). While most cases can be sometimes tricky to detect in the beginning, because it mirrors the severe symptoms of the flu, many red flags can aid with its detection. Common symptoms include; bleeding from the gums, bone pain, fever, frequent infections, frequent or severe nose bleeds, swollen lymph nodes, pale skin, shortness of breath and weakness or fatigue. It is recommended to see a doctor when a multitude of these symptoms appear, continue and do not deteriorate (“Acute Myeloid”). Bleeding can be easy to pinpoint from spots seen under the skin, and if present should be taken very seriously (“Leukemia”). Since ALL is an acute type of cancer, symptoms will come on quickly and progress fast. Other risk factors associated with the growth and development of ALL can differ from patient to patient depending on their exposure to radiation, previous cancer treatments they may have had, any genetic disorders or family members diagnosed with ALL (Winslow). Any of these factors contribute to the potential or risk of getting ALL.
Tests and diagnosis are a crucial factor aiding in a child’s survival rate. When it comes to testing for leukemia four types of testing have been created, they are blood testing, bone marrow testing, imaging testing and spinal fluid testing. The most common type of testing however is a blood test, which reveals the presence of red blood cells and platelets. This test also looks at blast cells; which are immature or potential cancer cells. A bone marrow test is the second most common, but also the most painful type of testing. This test looks specifically for leukemia cells directly inside of the bone marrow. The test uses a large needle that is inserted directly into the hip bone and extracts the marrow. This test can also look to see whether the cancer cells came from B or T lymphocytes (“Acute Lymphocytic”). Testing the marrow can take anywhere from twenty to thirty minutes total and will leave a sore feeling in the butt/hip bone area for four to six weeks following the procedure, for both the donor and receiving patient (“Marrow”). Imaging testing is another tactic used to see if cancer has formed in the brain or spinal cord. This test uses x-rays and computerized tomography scans (commonly known as CT’s) or ultrasounds. Lumbar fluid tests also deal with the brain and spinal cord. It focuses on the fluid that occupies the space around this area and test with a spinal tap. Each of these testing options, are followed by eight highly effective treatment options. The treatment options to cure leukemia are; induction, consolidation, maintenance, prevention, treatment to the spinal cord, chemotherapy, targeted drug, radiation and stem cell therapy. Any of these therapies work in phases, and work to attack and kill out the cancer, as well as prevent it from growing. Induction therapy teaming with chemotherapy is designed to kill the first phase of cancer cells, in both the bone marrow and the blood, but also work to restore normal blood production. In the second phase, known as the post-remission phase or therapy, consolidation therapy aims to destroy any remaining cancer cells in the body. And finally, maintenance therapy, which focuses on preventing cancer cells from re-growing and is the third phase. Treatments at this time include lower dosages of treatment over long periods of time. Some treatments are specialized to specific cancers, like prevention treatment to the spinal cord. This treatments deals with only people who have ALL and kills all leukemia cancer cells in the central nervous system during each of the three phases of treatment. The drugs for this treatment are injected directly into the fluid that covers the spinal cord. Another treatment is called targeted drug therapy, which attacks very specific abnormalities in the cells and most commonly in patients with ALL, the drug will look for the philadelphia chromosome. The philadelphia chromosome is an abnormality in chromosome 22, when part of chromosome 9 is transferred to it. Radiation therapy uses high powered beams to kill cancer cell and doctors usually only recommend this if the cancer has moved to the central nervous system. Lastly, we have the stem cell transplant. This also uses a consolidation therapy for people at a high risk for relapse, but it allows a person to re-establish healthy stem cells by replacing leukemic bone marrow with leukemia-free marrow. Unfortunately the patient needs a compatible donor for this treatment (“Acute Lymphocytic”). Recently, a new advancement in the cancer treatment, is the 3D radiation treatment. This treatment “uses x-ray sliced images of an organ or sections of the body stacked to recreate the patients anatomy on a computer screen”. Images can be rotated to find the best angle to aim the radiation at (Michels). Diagnosis and treatments are a vital component in curing leukemia, and the multitude of options and therapies are what allows ALL to have such a high survival rate.
It is estimated that over seventy-six million americans will be diagnosed with cancer (Michels). As research continues, so does the survival rate of patients with ALL. The survival rate will increase higher than the already 66.4% chance for all children, and 90.8% rate for children under the age of five (Larson). As Jennifer Aniston once said, “cancer can affect all of us, whether you’re a daughter, mother, sister, friend, co worker, doctor or patient”. Battling cancer is something children should never have to fight through, which is why striving for a cure becomes a lifestyle for many doctors and researchers. A cure for not only leukemia but all cancer I believe will one day be discovered, and the battle will for ever be won.
The biology of leukemia is complex, and has the potential to affect multiple systems within our body, coming in both acute and chronic waves of complexity and severity. Leukemia first off, is a cancer of the blood cells. Starting in the bone marrow, and traveling within the bloodstream, later dispersing itself throughout the body. When you have a healthy, leukemia-free body, you see three related functions working together to keep your bone marrow working properly. When cancer arrives however, bone marrow develops errors in the DNA, causing the cells to constantly grow and divide (Winslow). Some studies show that babies who develop leukemia before the age of one may have inherited a combination of genes from both parents, making them more susceptible to the cancer (Arbanas). Each body system has white blood cells, which help your body fight infection, red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body, and platelets, which help your blood clot. All three of these, travel throughout the bloodstream, as well as the bone marrow, giving the cancer cells access to all parts of your body. As leukemia begins to take place bone marrow starts to make an abnormal amount of white blood cells, known as leukemia cells. Unlike normal cells, leukemia cells are constantly growing, eventually overpowering and completely wiping out the healthy white blood cells. These cells are also known as lymphoblasts, or immature cells (Winslow). This can occur in either an acute amount of time, getting worse extremely fast and make you feel sick, with symptoms showing up right away vs chronic, which can creep up on you, slowly getting worse. Symptoms sometimes don’t show up or develop for years even after the cancer has entered the body (“Leukemia”). After studying these symptoms, the University of Michigan believes that cancer is made up of two different types of proteins, one that causes cancer cells to grow, and one that inhibits cancer growth (Michels). These two proteins have caused researchers to outsource and look for a new therapy option that will treat both abnormalities. The biology of leukemia is complex, yet scientists strive each day to find answers.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), lymphocytic, or lymphoid cancer, is the most common type of childhood leukemia and cancer. Children ages one through seven are most prominently affected. Within the United States alone, over 15,000 cases are diagnosed each year (Winslow). While most cases can be sometimes tricky to detect in the beginning, because it mirrors the severe symptoms of the flu, many red flags can aid with its detection. Common symptoms include; bleeding from the gums, bone pain, fever, frequent infections, frequent or severe nose bleeds, swollen lymph nodes, pale skin, shortness of breath and weakness or fatigue. It is recommended to see a doctor when a multitude of these symptoms appear, continue and do not deteriorate (“Acute Myeloid”). Bleeding can be easy to pinpoint from spots seen under the skin, and if present should be taken very seriously (“Leukemia”). Since ALL is an acute type of cancer, symptoms will come on quickly and progress fast. Other risk factors associated with the growth and development of ALL can differ from patient to patient depending on their exposure to radiation, previous cancer treatments they may have had, any genetic disorders or family members diagnosed with ALL (Winslow). Any of these factors contribute to the potential or risk of getting ALL.
Tests and diagnosis are a crucial factor aiding in a child’s survival rate. When it comes to testing for leukemia four types of testing have been created, they are blood testing, bone marrow testing, imaging testing and spinal fluid testing. The most common type of testing however is a blood test, which reveals the presence of red blood cells and platelets. This test also looks at blast cells; which are immature or potential cancer cells. A bone marrow test is the second most common, but also the most painful type of testing. This test looks specifically for leukemia cells directly inside of the bone marrow. The test uses a large needle that is inserted directly into the hip bone and extracts the marrow. This test can also look to see whether the cancer cells came from B or T lymphocytes (“Acute Lymphocytic”). Testing the marrow can take anywhere from twenty to thirty minutes total and will leave a sore feeling in the butt/hip bone area for four to six weeks following the procedure, for both the donor and receiving patient (“Marrow”). Imaging testing is another tactic used to see if cancer has formed in the brain or spinal cord. This test uses x-rays and computerized tomography scans (commonly known as CT’s) or ultrasounds. Lumbar fluid tests also deal with the brain and spinal cord. It focuses on the fluid that occupies the space around this area and test with a spinal tap. Each of these testing options, are followed by eight highly effective treatment options. The treatment options to cure leukemia are; induction, consolidation, maintenance, prevention, treatment to the spinal cord, chemotherapy, targeted drug, radiation and stem cell therapy. Any of these therapies work in phases, and work to attack and kill out the cancer, as well as prevent it from growing. Induction therapy teaming with chemotherapy is designed to kill the first phase of cancer cells, in both the bone marrow and the blood, but also work to restore normal blood production. In the second phase, known as the post-remission phase or therapy, consolidation therapy aims to destroy any remaining cancer cells in the body. And finally, maintenance therapy, which focuses on preventing cancer cells from re-growing and is the third phase. Treatments at this time include lower dosages of treatment over long periods of time. Some treatments are specialized to specific cancers, like prevention treatment to the spinal cord. This treatments deals with only people who have ALL and kills all leukemia cancer cells in the central nervous system during each of the three phases of treatment. The drugs for this treatment are injected directly into the fluid that covers the spinal cord. Another treatment is called targeted drug therapy, which attacks very specific abnormalities in the cells and most commonly in patients with ALL, the drug will look for the philadelphia chromosome. The philadelphia chromosome is an abnormality in chromosome 22, when part of chromosome 9 is transferred to it. Radiation therapy uses high powered beams to kill cancer cell and doctors usually only recommend this if the cancer has moved to the central nervous system. Lastly, we have the stem cell transplant. This also uses a consolidation therapy for people at a high risk for relapse, but it allows a person to re-establish healthy stem cells by replacing leukemic bone marrow with leukemia-free marrow. Unfortunately the patient needs a compatible donor for this treatment (“Acute Lymphocytic”). Recently, a new advancement in the cancer treatment, is the 3D radiation treatment. This treatment “uses x-ray sliced images of an organ or sections of the body stacked to recreate the patients anatomy on a computer screen”. Images can be rotated to find the best angle to aim the radiation at (Michels). Diagnosis and treatments are a vital component in curing leukemia, and the multitude of options and therapies are what allows ALL to have such a high survival rate.
It is estimated that over seventy-six million americans will be diagnosed with cancer (Michels). As research continues, so does the survival rate of patients with ALL. The survival rate will increase higher than the already 66.4% chance for all children, and 90.8% rate for children under the age of five (Larson). As Jennifer Aniston once said, “cancer can affect all of us, whether you’re a daughter, mother, sister, friend, co worker, doctor or patient”. Battling cancer is something children should never have to fight through, which is why striving for a cure becomes a lifestyle for many doctors and researchers. A cure for not only leukemia but all cancer I believe will one day be discovered, and the battle will for ever be won.
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