What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that directly affects the white blood cells, which are an important part of the immune system that fights infections. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow to protect us from bacteria, viruses, fungi, abnormal cells, and foreign invaders. In patients with leukemia, their white blood cells do not function properly like red blood cells. They can also divide too quickly and displace normal cells. When a patient has leukemia, their body makes more white blood cells than red blood cells, and if there are too many of them, they can affect organs.
Leukemia is classified according to some criteria, such as how fast it develops and what type of cell is involved. Based on these conditions, it is called acute, chronic, lymphocytic, or myelogenous.
Acute leukemia occurs when most of the abnormal blood cells do not mature and cannot carry out normal functions. It can worsen very quickly. Chronic leukemia occurs when there are some immature cells, but others are normal and can function properly. It worsens more slowly than acute forms do. Lymphocytic (or lymphoblastic) leukemia involves bone marrow cells that become lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Myelogenous (or myeloid) leukemia involves the marrow cells that create red blood cells, platelets, and other kinds of white blood cells.
So, What Causes Leukemia?
Researchers do not know exactly what causes leukemia, but some things can trigger this cancer, such as radiation or chemicals, medicines taken for the treatment of other types of cancer, a family history of leukemia, genetic disorders, and some chemicals found in cigarette smoke.
What are the Symptoms of Leukemia?
Often, symptoms of leukemia do not appear in the early stages. If you experience weight loss, fever, infections, mouth sores, diarrhea, bloated lymph nodes, bone pain, or easy bleeding, contact your doctor.
How is Leukemia Diagnosed?
Leukemia cannot be fully diagnosed by a physical exam. Doctors need to conduct some tests to diagnose it, such as complete blood count, bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap, and imaging tests.
A complete blood count determines the numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood. Looking at your blood under a microscope can also determine if the cells have an abnormal appearance. Tissue biopsies can be taken from the bone marrow or lymph nodes to look for evidence of leukemia. These small samples can identify the type of leukemia and its growth rate. Biopsies of other organs, such as the liver and spleen, can show if the cancer has spread.
Treating Leukemia
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Stem Cell Transplantation
- Biological or Immunotherapy
- Targeted Therapy
Why should you choose Turkey for Leukemia Treatment?
Medical centers in Turkey work with highly experienced physicians dedicated to leukemia treatment. Using a comprehensive team approach, they provide customized care that includes the most advanced diagnostic methods and treatments.
Our partner hospitals for leukemia treatment in Turkey are certified by independent international organizations such as JCI (Joint Commission International) or ISO (International Organization for Standardization), and they are all university hospitals.
Since leukemia treatment requires urgency, we suggest you start your treatment as soon as possible.
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