Leukemia Essay, Research Paper

Leukemia

Date Submitted: 2000-01-25Leukemia is a disease characterized by the formation of abnormal numbers of white blood cells, for which no certain cure has been found. Leukemia is also conditions characterized by the transformation of normal blood-forming cells into abnormal white blood cells whose unrestrained growth overwhelms and replaces normal bone marrow and blood cells. Leukemias are named according to the normal cell from which they originate, such as Lymphocyte Leukemia. Lymphocyte Leukemia is where a Lymphocyte cell is transformed into a Leukemia cell. Another example of Leukemia is Myelocytic or (Granulocytic Leukemia). This forms when a Myelocytic cell is changed or transformed into a Leukemia cell. Different Leukemia’s are located in the microscope and by how much protein they contain. These Leukemia’s are usually very severe and need treatment right away. The present incidence of new cases per year in the United States is about 25 to every 100,000 persons. The danger to the patient lies in the growth of these abnormal white cells, which interfere with the growth of the red blood cells, normal white blood cells, and the blood platelets. The uncontrolled growth of the abnormal white cells produces a tendency to unstop bleeding, the risk of getting serious infection in the wounds, and a very small possibility of obstruction of the blood vessels. Treatment of these Leukemias include chemotherapy with alkylafing agents, or antimetabodies that suppress the growth of abnormal white cells. Another treatment of some kind would be the x-ray or the administration or radioactive substances, or radiophosphorus, may be used. After treatment these diseases may last for many years. Age of the person diagnosed with Leukemia does play an important part in how that individual responds to any treatment. The older the person the less response he may have to treatment. Leukemia in Animals white blood cells is much less common as Leukemia in humans white blood cells. Today’s treatment mostly includes chemotherapy and or bone marrow transplantation supportive care, where transfusions of blood components and prompt treatment of complicating infections, is very important. Ninety percent of children with Acute Lymphocyte Leukemia have received chemotherapy and fifty percent of theses children have been fully cured of Leukemia. Treatment of AML or Acute Myeolcytic Leukemia is not as successful but has been improving more and more throughout the 1990’s. Scientists that study the cause of Leukemia have not had very much success lately. Very large doses of x-rays can increase the efficacy growth of Leukemia. Chemicals such as Benzene also may increase the risk of getting Leukemia. Scientists have tried experiments on Leukemia in Animals by transmitting RNA into the body of the Animal. Interpretation of these results in relation with human Leukemia is very cautious at this time. Studies have also suggested that family history, race, genetic factors, and geography may all play some part in determining the rates of growth of these Leukemias. Stewart Alsop is an example of Acute Myeoblastic Leukemia, or AML. On the day of July 21, 1971 Stewart was made aware of some of the doctors suspicions due to his bone marrow test. He was told by his doctor in Georgetown that his marrow slides looked so unusual that he had brought in other doctors to view the test and they could not come to an agreement so they all suggested that he take another bone marrow exam. The second test was known to be “hypocelluar” meaning that it had very few cells of any sort, normal of abnormal. The Georgetown doctors counted, about fourty-four percent of his cells were abnormal, and he added, with a condor that he later discovered characteristics. “They were ugly-looking cells.” Most of them looked like Acute Meyoblastic Leukemia cells, but not all some of them looked like the cells of another kind of Leukemia, Acatymphoblastic Leukemia, and some of them looked like the cells of still another kind of bone marrow cancer, not a Leukemia, it is called Dysprotinemia. And even the Myeloblastic cells didn’t look exactly like Myeloblastic cells should look. Stewart has been treated with chemotherapy and is still living today but he doesn’t have very much longer to live. Sadako Saski was born in Japan in the year of 1943 she died twelve years later in the year of 1955 of Leukemia. She was in Hiroshima when the United States Air Force dropped an atomic bomb on that city in an attempt to end World War II. Sadako Saski was only two years old when all this had happened. Ten years later, Sadako had been diagnosed with Leukemia as a result of the radiation from the bomb. At this time Sadako was only a twelve year old little girl and she died of Leukemia. Everyday Sadako grew weaker and weaker thinking about her death and the day finally came. Sadako died on October 25, 1955. Sadako was very much loved by all of her classmates. At the time of death, her classmates folded 356 paper cranes to be buried with her. This is a symbol in Jpan of thoughtfulness. In summary to what I have learned about Leukemia it is a very painful disease. The people with Leukemia suffer very much throughout the disease and treatment of the disease, even if they are eventually cured. The treatment it took to get there was very painful. The studies of Leukemia have helped alot of people to be cured but there are still alot of people suffering due to no cure found to help them. I’m sure like all other cures needed, the money is short funded for the research that cost so very much. Maybe someday soon, we hope, they will find a cure for all kinds of cancer.