Leukemia is a disease that can cause death. Leukemia is defined as the type of cancer in the blood cells that causes the cells to work improperly, usually affecting the white blood cells. It occurs when an abnormal increase of immature blood cell is produced compared to mature blood cell. Large numbers of abnormal blood cells produced caused the bone marrow to contain more abnormal cell, thus causing difficulties for normal cell to survive. This disease spread among the cells without control and can cause a major death to the patients. The type of leukemia and the age of the patient affect the survival rates for individuals with leukemia (Bozzone, 2009). The improvement survival rates through chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation, the more long term illness must be handled by the patients relating to the treatment-related diseases (Agarwal & Thomas, 2008). In general, Leukemia can be described in three major categories which are type of leukemia, symptoms of leukemia and treatments (refer to Figure 1 in Appendix 1).
The first major category of leukemia is types of leukemia. Types of leukemia are divided into two, which are Acute Leukemia and Chronic Leukemia. Acute and Chronic Leukemia are classified based on the progresses of the cell. First, Acute Leukemia is referring to fast growing cancer and can overrun in the body in several weeks or month. The cell replicated and accumulate very quickly as the blood forming cell remain in immature states (American Cancer Society, 2013). The patients with this type of leukemia need to be treated immediately. Acute leukemia is further divided into two subclasses which are Acute Myelogelous (granulocytic) Leukemia (AML) and Acute Lymphocytic (lymphoblastic) Leukemia (ALL). ALL is commo...
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...ved from http://www.lls.org/content/nationalcontent/resourcecenter/freeeducationmaterials/leukemia/pdf/aml.pdf. Macmillan Cancer Support. (2014). Busulfan (Busilvex®, Myleran®).Retrieved from http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Chemotherapy/Individualdrugs/Busulfan.aspx Mayo Clinic Staff. (2012). Stem cell transplant. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stem-cell-transplant/basics/definition/prc-20013565 Mayo Clinic Staff. (2013). Disease and conditions leukemia. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/leukemia/basics/causes/con-20024914 Zimmermann, C., Yuen, D., Mischitelle, A., Minden, M. D., Brandwein, J. M., Schimmer,
A., Gagliese, L., Lo, C., Rydall, A., & Rodin, G. (2013). Symptom burden and supportive care in patients with acute leukemia. Leukemia Research, 37, 731-736.
Recently nine studies were done with cancer patients to show improvements on sleep quality, mood, stress, cancer-related distress, cancer related symptoms, and the patients over-all quality of life. One
Cella, D.F. (1995). Measuring quality of life in palliative care. Semin Oncol 22(2 Suppl 3), 73-81.
Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is a life-altering event. During this time, life is not only difficult for the patient, but also for their loved ones. Families must learn to cope together and to work out the best options for the patient and the rest of the family. Although it may not be fair at times, things may need to be centered on or around the patient no matter what the circumstance. (Abbott, 2003) Sacrifices may have to be made during difficult times. Many factors are involved when dealing with chronic illnesses. Coping with chronic illnesses alter many different emotions for the patients and the loved ones. Many changes occur that are very different and difficult to get used to. (Abbott, 2003) It is not easy for someone to sympathize with you when they haven’t been in the situation themselves. No matter how many books they read or people they talk to, they cannot come close to understanding.
Retrospective Chart Review of Terminal Patients with Cancer with Agitation and Their Risk Factors. Journal Of Palliative Medicine, 15(11). doi: 10.1089/jpm.2012.114
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the worlds largest non-profit organization which funds blood cancer research and providing patient services and education. The LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and myeloma and to improve quality of patients and there families. This is done by discovering new cures and making blood cancers a story of the past.The organizations national office is located in White Plains, NY. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has local chapters through out the United States and Canada.
Over one million Americans in the United States are living with or have been diagnosed with leukemia. That’s a big amount of people. I chose to do my research paper on leukemia because two years ago I lost my grandma to the cancer. I wanted to know more about the disease and what was happening to her. I researched the different types, risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and what kind of research is being done to help cure leukemia. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells that start in the bone marrow. During leukemia the bone marrow starts to make a lot of abnormal white blood cells or “leukemia cells”.
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells, which start in the bone marrow. The disease develops when the blood cells produced in the bone marrow grow out of control. The cause for leukemia is unknown.
“The word 'leukemia' is a very frightening word. In many instances, it's a killer and it's something that you have to deal with in a very serious and determined way if you're going to beat it” - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Many people, including tons of children, fight leukemia every day trying to beat this vicious cancer. Without knowing how leukemia is exactly caused, it puts a damper on how to avoid it.
...essive episodes (CareNotes). As chemo is administered, patients may aquire other issues, such as a loss in appitite, less energy, sores in the mouth, pain throughout the body, an increased heartbeat, coughing or breathing issues, and confusion (CareNotes). According to CareNotes, patients must stay away from people that are sick, due to a decreased immune system, and they must drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.
There are different types of pain which may be suffered by an individual with cancer, with some patients suffering only one type of pain, but others experiencing a range of all three types. Identifying the type of pain suffered is the first major step in ensuring effective treatment, as not all respond to different treatments in the same way (De Conno & Caraceni, 1996, p.9).
End of life pain management is an important function of hospice organizations. Families and patients alike are comforted by the fact that, at the end, there are resources which allow for a comfortable death. Much of the quality of hospice care is determined by patient family members. In 2005, the Brown Medical school conducted research with regard to t...
Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. It begins in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside the bones. Within the bone marrow is where white blood cells are created, that help fight off bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms within the body that cause infections. The disease develops to when the white blood cells are being produced out of control. The cells that are being produced do not work properly as they should, they grow faster than a normal cell would and don’t know when to stop growing. Overtime, if not treated properly, the white blood cells will over crowd blood cells, creating a serious problem such as anemia, bleeding and infection. Leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes and other organs in the body causing swelling and pain.
The emphasis on health and fitness has become paramount in our society today in an effort to prevent and combat diseases such as Cancers. Cancers are a group of over 100 diseases that affects every aspect of the human system from skin, to bones, to muscles, to blood. One of the most common blood disorders is Leukemia. As defined by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bone that is responsible for the production of blood cells. The term leukemia means white blood. The term leukocytes refer to white blood cells, which are body’s defense against infections and other foreign substances. When Leukemia occurs there is an uncontrolled increase in the number of white blood cells. When this occurs, these cancerous cells inhibit the production of healthy red blood cells, platelets, and mature white blood cells. Over time the cancerous cells can spread to the bloodstream and lymph nodes. They can also travel to the Central Nervous System and the rest of the body.
Palliative care involves the holistic care to maintain and improve the quality of life of the patient and family during hospitalisation until the terminal stage. Palliation of care refers to the multidisciplinary approach of providing comfort and support for the terminally ill patient and family, thus has an important role in maintaining and improving the quality of life of the whole family. Chronic illness such as cancer gives a physiologic and emotional burden for the patient and family. Education and counselling of the possible options as well as treatments for pain and other symptoms that could help alleviate anxiety, suffering and discomfort. Palliative care provides assistance for the family as a channel for communication between the
Kanwar, V.S. (2013, Sep 16). Diseases & Conditions - Medscape Reference. Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/990113-overview#a0156