Leukemia

Leukemia 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