Leukemia

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Leukemia is cancerous disease that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the blood-stream (National Cancer Institute, 2008, para. 1). It is one of many complicated cancer diseases that affect all ages and have very negative outcomes if not treated properly, and on time. Within the disease are several different types that affect according to how quickly the disease develops and attacks the body. It could be classified as chronic leukemia, which has a slow progress of getting worse or acute leukemia which usually gets worse quickly. The types of leukemia also can be grouped based on the white blood cell that is affected (National Cancer Institute , 2008, p. 1). The disease could either start forming in lymphoid cells or myeloid cells. When the disease forms in lymphoid cells it is called lymphoid, lymphocytic or lymphoblastic leukemia. The disease affected by the myeloid cells is called myeloid, myelogenous or myeloblastic leukemia. Four common types of leukemia exist affecting different people of all ages. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a disease that usually grows slowly in the body and affects lymphoid cells. It accounts for 15,000 new cases each year, and affects mainly people over the age of 55, rarely affecting children. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) on the other hand affects myeloid cells and tends to develop slowly at first. As well as CLL, it mainly affects adults, and is a disease that is accounted for nearly 5,000 new cases each year. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) affects myeloid cells, just as CML disease. This type of disease grows quickly and occurs in both children and adults, with 13,000 cases each year. Acute Lymphocytic (lym... ... middle of paper ... ... improvement has occurred within the years to better the health of patients with leukemia. In the 1960’s less than 5% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia survives for more than five years after treatment and therapy. Now a day, 85% of children with the disease live for more than five years (National Center Institute 2008 p. 3). References National Cancer Institute. (2002). Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/all3 National Cancer Institute. (2008). Leukemia. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/leukemia National Cancer Institute. (2008). Treatment. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/leukemia/page7 National Cancer Institute. (2008). What you need to know about Leukemia- Types of Leukemia. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/leukemia/page3

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