Posts Tagged ‘White blood cells’

Lymphoma – cancer of white blood cells. What are its causes, symptom, risk factors and treatment?

Lymphocytes are the cells of the immune system. Lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes i.e white blood cells. This type of cancer develops in lymphatic system. There are two types of lymphoma:
- Hodgkin disease : It occurs due to the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells in lymph nodes. The structure of the abnormal lymph node and types of cells will decide the division of hodgkin disease.
- Non-Hodgkin disease : The risk increase with age and people who have weak immune system. It occurs when T or B type cells grow abnormally.

CAUSES OF LYMPHOMA

Exact cause is not known but the risk factors include:
- Infections like HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus.
- It depends on age.
- Weak immune system.
- When body is exposed to harmful chemicals.
- Family history of lymphoma.
- Exposure to carcinogens.

SYMPTOMS OF LYMPHOMA

- Swelling in neck, under an arm.
- Swelling is painless.
- Swelling of lymph nodes or tissues.
- Fever and chills.
- Weight loss
- Sweating in night.
- Tiredness and weakness.
- Abdominal discomfort.

To diagnose lymphoma:
- a complete physical examination and family history is noted.
- blood tests are done.
- imaging techniques are used to detect the presence of cancer and how much it has spread.
- examinations of bone marrow are done.
- biopsy can be done.
- CT Scan and MRI

After diagnosis is over, staging of lymphoma is done so that how much the cancer has spread is noticeable.

- In stage 1, lymphoma has affected single lymph node.
- In stage 2, lymphoma has affected one or more lymph nodes.
- In stage 3, lymphoma has affected when two or more lymph nodes or a lymph node and an organ on the opposite side of the body.
- In stage 4, lymphoma has affected spleen, bone marrow or nervous system.

Treatment of lymphoma depends on how much it has spread and affected i.e. the staging of the disease. The goal of medical therapy in lymphoma is complete remission.

- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy

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Leukopenia – Decreased number of white blood cells : causes, symptoms and treatment.

Leukopenia is the decreased number of white blood cells in blood. It is a blood disease usually caused by a decrease in the granulocyte numbers, particularly the blood neutrophils. White blood cells protect the body against infections, diseases and foreign particles. The normal white blood cell count is between 5000 to 10000 per cubic milli meter. When the total white cell count drops below 4000 per cubic millimeter in the blood, the person is said to be suffering from leucopenia.

CAUSES OF LEUKOPENIA

- Some medications like antipsychotic drugs, immunosuppressive drugs, interferons, and some antidepressants.
- Some cancer treatment.
- Diseases such as HIV, and even influenza.
- Mineral deficiencies like copper, zinc.
- Sepsis, and aplastic anemia.
- Enlargement of spleen.
- Radiation.
- Folate deficiencies.

SYMPTOMS OF LEUKOPENIA

Mild cases do not show much symptoms.
- Anemia.
- Pneumonia.
- Liver abscess.
- Mouth inflammation.
- Headache.
- Fever.
- Craving for hot drinks.
- Irritability.
- Sore throat and skin rash.
- Sores on body, mouth, around the rectum and vagina.
- The person becomes susceptible to various infections and oral ulcers.

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT OF LEUKOPENIA

A complete blood cell count is usually sufficient to confirm the disease. This blood test is called a complete blood count (CBC) and will measure the amount of white blood cells in the blood. This is typically the only way to tell if someone has an abnormally low amount.

In certain cases treatments such as chemotherapy and cytokine therapy have been used. Chronic Leukopenia can lead to vulnerability to the infections, hence it is advisable to consult the doctor and take necessary precautions.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (also called acute lymphocytic leukemia or ALL) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This type of cancer usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated. It is the most common type of cancer in children.
ALL is a leukemia occurring mostly in children under age four, although older children and adults can also be affected; Caucasian boys are most likely to develop ALL. ALL accounts for 23 percent of cancers in those under age 15,
The causes of ALL are unknown, but the disease is more common in those with Down Syndrome and who were exposed to radiation prenatally.

Symptoms of ALL in Children

- ALL starts suddenly, often after a four to six week illness characterized by bone pain, joint swelling, and easy bruisability.
- Symptoms of ALL include fatigue and pallor from anemia, a decrease in red blood cells, and excessive bleeding and bruising from a decrease in platelets.
- Bone and joint pain are caused by excess lymphocytes in the bone marrow.
- If leukemia affects the brain, headaches, irritability and vomiting may occur.

Diagnosis of ALL in children

- Diagnosing ALL begins with a medical history and physical examination, complete blood count, and blood smears.
- Pathological examination, cyto-genetics and immunophenotyping, establish whether the “blast” cells began from the B lymphocytes or T lymphocytes.
- DNA testing can establish how aggressive the disease is; different mutations have been associated with shorter or longer survival.
- Medical imaging (such as ultrasound or CT scanning) can find invasion of other organs commonly the lung, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, brain, kidneys and reproductive organs.

Treatment of ALL in children

Treatment for acute leukemia can include chemotherapy, steroids, radiation therapy, intensive combined treatments (including bone marrow or stem cell transplants), and growth factors.
Chemotherapy treatment is very effective and starts with an induction phase, where the fast growing cancer cells are destroyed over several weeks. The consolidation phase of chemotherapy may last as long as several years. Chemotherapy drugs may be injected into the fluid around the brain, followed by radiation, because the cancer cells so often spread to the brain.
If relapse occurs, stem cell transplant may offer the best chance for a cure, but has serious risks and side effects that can be fatal. Siblings or other family members or donors with compatible tissue, or HLA match, can be used.