Leukemia Perspective in Current Practice

Abstract

Leukemia is cancer that affects the blood formation in the bone marrow, which is characterized by an increase in the number of leucocytes (leukocytosis) in the blood and bone marrow. Leukemia has four major types, which include acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL). Hematopoiesis is a process in which the stem cells differentiate into erythrocytes, megakaryocytes, and immune cells of myeloid, and lymphoid, in bone marrow or lymphatic tissues. The blood is made up of fluid called plasma and three types of cells and each type has special functions. White blood cells (also called WBCs or leukocytes) help the body fight infections and other diseases. Red blood cells (also called RBCs or erythrocytes) carry oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and take carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. The red blood cells give blood its color. Platelets (also called thrombocytes) help form blood clots that control bleeding. Leukemias can affect any age and the incidence is different between each type. The Clinical presentation of leukemia cells may be mature, such as in chronic myeloid leukemia, and it may come in precursor form such as in acute myeloid leukemia It can also come in two forms (precursor and mature) such as chronic myeloid leukemia. Many risk factors have been identified, such as Klinefelter, Down syndromes, ataxia telangiectasia, Bloom syndrome, Viral infections from Epstein Barr virus, Human T-lymphotropic virus, ionizing radiation exposure, radiation therapy, environmental exposure with benzene, and smoking history. There is a strong relationship between nutrition status and leukemia which strongly affect the overall survival rate. This article aims to provide a brief introduction and the signs and symptoms of leukemia, its causes, epidemiology, nutrition profile, treatment prevention and good practice management advice. Keywords: Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Acute Lymphoid Leukemia, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia