Leukemia Flashcards
leukemia
- cancer of any of the leukocytes
- malignant WBCS present in circulation (malignancy of WBCS)
- wherever blood flows may have infiltration of tissues (NOT METASTASIS)
leukemia is the most common cancer in
Children and young adults
Etiology of leukemia
idiopathic
Chronic leukemia’s
- may live with, may be myeloid or lymphoid
- mature cells, less aggressive
Acute leukemia’s
cure or death (likely to succumb as very aggressive)
- myeloid or lymphoid
- immature blast cells (formative) aggressive with short duration
- not mature cells higher above cells in fig 12.6
leukemia’s classified as
acute or chronic lymphocytic (lymphocytes) or myelogenous (monocytes, granulocytes) leukemias
risks of leukemia
- genetic predisposition
- excessive exposure to radiation
- Immunodeficiency
- T-cell leukemia virus (infection doesn’t cause cancer virus does - it interferes with DNA and causes mutations)
- Non malignant blood cell production also affected (decreases) cancer fights for limited resources
Diagnosing leukemia
-blood & bone marrow evaluation
Manifestations of Leukemia
- anemia
- thrombocytopenia: decreased deficiency of platelets affects clotting
- Leukopenia: decrease in WBC, decrease in defense
- recurrent infections and fever: body’s immunity compromised, own cells dying & releasing endogenous pyrogens
- Fatigue & weakness: due to lack of RBCS
- bruising & bleeding: lack of platelets
- generalized pain: using muscles of body can’t fuel d/t decreased
how is non malignant blood cell production affected in pts with leukemia
- leads to decreased 02 supply (less RBCS)
- impaired immune function (WBCS compromised and not being formed due to or reduction)
what is anemia
lack of red blood cells
what is leukopenia
deficiency of leukocytes
thrombocytopenia
deficiency of platelets
for stages of treatment for leukemia
- Induction phase
- CNS prophylaxis
- Consolidation
- Maintenance
Treatment of leukemia uses BOTH
Chemotherapy & Radiation
