Get in touch
© 2014-2024 Hospitality Medservice. All rights reserved.
Get in touch

Leukemia

I accept Terms and Conditions and agree to receive marketing letters that can be interesting for me.

Leukemia is a malignant blood disorder characterized by abnormal maturation of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the bone marrow. Gradually, poorly differentiated white blood cells replace red blood cells and platelets, accumulating in organs and tissues and disrupting their function.

In oncohematology, two types of acute leukemia are distinguished:

  • Lymphoblastic leukemia: an increase in lymphoblasts (immature precursors of leukocytes) in the blood. It is ten times more common in children, with a peak incidence between the ages of one and six. Boys are more frequently affected than girls.
  • Myeloid leukemia: accumulation of myeloblasts in the blood, accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of normal blood cells. It is more commonly seen in individuals over 50 years old, with men and women equally affected. In 10% of cases, myeloid leukemia leads to the development of sarcoma (a greenish-pink lesion on the skin).

Chronic leukemias predominantly occur in men over the age of 70.

Leukemia is one of the most severe conditions in oncology, but modern diagnostic and treatment methods used in global practice significantly improve the prognosis. With timely therapy, the chances of achieving sustained remission approach 90%.

Symptoms indicating the need for diagnosis and treatment

Main symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia:

  • Joint and bone pain
  • Increased heart rate
  • Weakness and dizziness
  • Increased bleeding, including nosebleeds and gum bleeding
  • Weight loss
  • Enlarged lymph nodes, liver, and spleen
  • Bruising on the skin

The immune system is severely affected in this type of leukemia, making patients prone to frequent viral and bacterial infections.

Main symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia:

  • Asthenia (weakness, fatigue)
  • Weight loss
  • Fever
  • Dizziness and fainting
  • Pale skin
  • Suppuration of wounds
  • Recurrent ENT inflammations

Diagnostic and treatment methods

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of leukemia is carried out by oncohematologists. A leukemia diagnosis can be confirmed based on the following tests:

  • Blood tests with a leukocyte differential count
  • Genetic analysis of bone marrow aspirates (to identify mutations causing the disease)
  • Myelogram — examination of bone marrow samples
  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Chest X-ray in two projections (to assess lymph nodes)

Treatment

The primary treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy. During the first stage, doctors aim to achieve remission, while the second stage focuses on preventing relapses. If the risk of relapse is high, a bone marrow transplant is indicated for the patient.

Innovations in global clinics

British scientists have developed a new therapeutic approach for curing patients with previously incurable forms of leukemia. This method, called “base editing,” involves altering the genetic code and molecular structure of DNA. By using this approach, the body receives entirely new “genetic instructions,” enabling the creation of new T-lymphocytes and protecting healthy cells by making them invisible to chemotherapy.