Leukemia

Question 1

Symptoms:

Answer 1

Pale skin
Tiredness
Excessive sweating
Weight loss
Easily bruised skin
Bone/joint pain
High temperature
Frequently bleeding eg gums/ nose

Question 2

Causes:

Answer 2

Radiation
Smoking/benzene
Previous cancer treatment
Blood disorders
Genetic disorders

Question 3

Diagnosis:

Answer 3

Bone marrow biopsy- sample of bone marrow to examine
Genetic testing- identify genetic make up of cancerous cells
CT scans, X-Ray’s, ultrasound- check organs are healthy
Lumbar puncture- needle used to extract sample of cerebrospinal failed and check cancer has not spread to spinal cord

Question 4

Treatment:

Answer 4

Intensive chemotherapy- medication at high dose to kill cancerous cells
Non- intensive chemotherapy- control not cure given with dip or mouth injection
All trans- retinoids acid- capsules of medicine (ATRA) in addiction to chemotherapy

Question 5

What is it?

Answer 5

Cancer of the white blood cells

Question 6

Physical impacts:

Answer 6

Tiredness/ fatigue

Question 7

Emotional impacts:

Answer 7

Depressed
Angry
Scared

Question 8

Social impacts:

Answer 8

Not be able to meet friends and family when ill and tired

Question 9

Financial impacts:

Answer 9

Time off work to recover

Question 10

Care pathway:

Answer 10

Visit GP
First seen clinic
Bone marrow undertaken for diagnosis
Consultant management plan
Fist treatment- (MDT to monitor response)
Further treatment- 2years
Follow up