Leukaemia: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment

• Written by Yashita Sinha

  Reviewed by Munmi Sharma

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According to a report by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research(NCDIR), lymphoid leukaemia was the predominant cancer among children aged 0 to 14 years, accounting for 29.2% of cases in boys and 24.2% in girls.

As alarming as these figures are, they also highlight the fact that leukaemia is not only common in adults but can also develop in children. In this blog, we’ll thoroughly cover the symptoms of the disease, types of Blood Cancer (Leukemia), causes, risk factors and treatment options so that anyone suffering from this illness gets the help they require.

What is Leukaemia?

Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. The term leukaemia derives from the Greek words- luekos (white) and blood (haima). Under this condition, the body begins producing abnormal white blood cells.

Over time, these cells outgrow the healthy blood cells in the bone marrow, leading to fewer healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This hinders the body’s ability to fight infections, stop bleeding, and carry oxygen, resulting in easy bruising, frequent infections, and fatigue.

What are the Symptoms of Leukaemia?

Leukaemia symptoms vary depending on the type and progression of the disease. In some cases, symptoms develop gradually while in others they appear suddenly. Some of the common symptoms of leukaemia include:

• Sudden change in skin tone as it turns pale
• Frequent fever or chills
• Pale skin
• Easy bruising and bleeding including nosebleeds and gum bleeding
• Frequent nosebleeds and bleeding gums
• Tiny red spots on the skin
• Bone and joint pain or tenderness
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and around the underarm, groin or stomach area
• Frequent infections and allergies
• Sudden weight loss
• Shortness of breath and fatigue

Causes of Leukaemia

Although the exact cause of leukaemia is not well-established, it is characterised by the uncontrolled growth of blood cells (usually white blood cells) in the bone marrow. The reason behind this growth is mutations in the DNA.

Normally the DNA sends instructions to the blood cells telling them to expand at a defined rate and die after a certain time. However, in the case of leukaemia DNA instructs the cells to continuously grow and divide. This further results in uncontrolled blood cell production.

Types of Leukaemia

Leukaemia is categorised based on its rate of progression and the types of affected white blood cells. The below table briefly explains the difference between the two categories

Risk Factors of Leukaemia

Some of the common risk factors related to leukaemia include:

Previous Cancer Treatment

Individuals with previous exposure to certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for different types of cancers are more prone to developing leukaemia later on.

Genetic Disorders

Certain inherited genetic disorders are responsible for increasing the risk of developing leukaemia. For example, individuals with Down syndrome, Fanconi anaemia and Bloom syndrome have a slightly higher risk of leukaemia.

Smoking

Smoking is another significant risk factor for developing acute myeloid leukaemia. The presence of harmful substances in cigarettes such as benzene gets absorbed in the bloodstream, potentially damaging the bone marrow and leading to leukaemia.

Family History of Leukaemia

Individuals with a family history of leukaemia are more prone to developing the disease. While most leukaemia cases occur in individuals with no family history, having a close relative with the disease can slightly enhance the risk.

Diagnosis of Leukaemia

Some of the common diagnostic tests of leukaemia include:

Physical Examination

Doctors look for physical symptoms of leukaemia such as pale skin from anemia, swollen lymph nodes and enlarged liver and spleen. Besides this, they may also look for other signs such as fever and tiny red spots under the skin.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A Complete Blood count is a crucial test in diagnosing leukaemia. It helps your doctor determine the level of abnormal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in your bloodstream.

Blood Cell Examination

A blood cell examination is a test where doctors study your blood sample under a microscope. This helps in determining the size, shape and number of blood cells. High presence of immature white blood cells acts as an indicator of leukaemia.

Imaging Tests

If your symptoms indicate that leukaemia has impacted your organs, bones and tissues you’re most likely to undergo imaging tests. They help doctors see the inside of your body and determine the spread of leukaemia. Some common examples of imaging tests include X-rays, CT scans and MRIs.

Bone Marrow Test

A bone marrow test is conducted when your doctor suspects the disease based on symptoms, blood test reports and other risk factors. During this test, a small portion of your bone marrow is removed from your hipbone using a long and thin needle. This portion is then sent to a laboratory where it is further examined for leukaemia cells.

Treatment of Leukemia

Treatment options for leukaemia are recommended based on the type of leukaemia you have, your age, overall health and whether it has spread to other body parts. The most commonly used treatments include:

Chemotherapy

This is one of the most significant treatment options for leukaemia. It involves the use of chemicals to eradicate cancerous cells and stop them from multiplying further. During this treatment, your healthcare provider either injects chemicals into your body through veins or makes you consume pills.

Note: One of the common side effects of chemotherapy includes intense exhaustion. Since it targets rapidly growing cells, healthy cells also get affected, leading to low energy levels

Immunotherapy

Also known as biologic therapy, this type of treatment uses drugs to boost your immune system, making it capable of fighting leukaemia. It helps your immune system recognise cancerous cells and produce immune cells to fight them.

Note: Some common side effects of immunotherapy include swelling, pain, soreness, redness and rashes.

Radiation therapy

This type of leukaemia treatment involves the use of high-energy beams to destroy leukaemia cells and stop their growth. During the treatment, a machine is used to direct the radiation to the spot where cancerous cells are present. By focusing on affected areas, it helps in reducing symptoms and improving the patient’s quality of life.

Note: Patients undergoing radiation therapy might experience some changes in the affected area. These changes include irritation, swelling, and blistering.

Targeted Therapy

As the name suggests, targeted therapy targets specific abnormalities within cancerous cells. It uses drugs to block the abnormalities, affecting the growth of cancerous cells and causing them to die. This approach helps in reducing damage to normal cells, making it a better treatment option as compared to chemotherapy.

Note: Common side effects include diarrhoea, liver problems and changes in hair, skin and nails.

Bone Marrow Transplant

Also known as stem cell transplant, a bone marrow transplant aims to replace unhealthy bone marrow stem cells with leukaemia-free stem cells that help regenerate healthy bone marrow. Before this treatment, your doctor gives you high doses of chemo and radiation therapy to damage your leukaemia-producing bone marrow.

Note: Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, mouth sores and increased infection risk are some common side effects of bone marrow transplant.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell Therapy

CAR T-cell therapy is an innovative treatment which leverages the body's immune system to fight leukaemia. This approach involves modifying a patient’s T cells (a type of white blood cells) to identify and attack cancer cells.

Note: One potential side effect of CAR T-cell therapy is immune effector-cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome. Its symptoms include confusion, tremors and headaches.

In Conclusion

Leukaemia is a serious condition that affects the patient physically, mentally and financially. If diagnosed early, recovery from the disease is possible. Although medical advancement has made it possible to receive effective treatments, the expenses can put a heavy burden on patients and their families.

This is where cancer medical insurance offers peace of mind by covering expensive treatments such as chemotherapy, ambulance costs and pre and post-hospitalisation expenses. Dealing with cancer is a battle in itself and having the right financial support can help patients and their loved ones navigate this difficult situation with confidence.

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Verifying the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents is essential when purchasing health insurance. Also, kindly consult a professional medical expert to confirm the details of your health concerns.