Leukemia involves:
Abnormal Blood Cell Production: Genetic mutations in blood cells lead to uncontrolled proliferation of immature or abnormal leukocytes (white blood cells) in the bone marrow.
Disruption of Normal Blood Cell Production: Overproduction of leukemic cells crowds out normal blood cells (red blood cells, platelets, mature white blood cells), leading to bone marrow failure.
Infiltration into Organs: Leukemic cells can infiltrate other organs and tissues, interfering with normal organ function.
Complications: Leukemia can lead to anemia, bleeding disorders, increased susceptibility to infections, and in acute cases, organ failure.
Clinical Evaluation
Symptoms: Assessment of symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, and enlarged lymph nodes or spleen.
Physical Examination: Examination findings may include signs of anemia (pale skin, rapid heartbeat), enlarged liver or spleen, and petechiae (small red spots under the skin).
Diagnostic Tests: Blood tests to analyze blood cell counts and morphology, bone marrow biopsy to confirm diagnosis and determine leukemia subtype, and genetic testing to identify specific mutations.
Fatigue, weakness, and pale skin due to anemia.
Easy bruising or bleeding, including nosebleeds and bleeding gums.
Frequent infections and prolonged fever.
Enlarged lymph nodes, liver, or spleen.
Petechiae (tiny red spots under the skin) due to low platelet count.
Bone pain or tenderness (especially in acute leukemias).
Treatment goals include achieving remission, eliminating leukemic cells, and managing complications:
Chemotherapy: Administration of cytotoxic drugs to kill leukemia cells and induce remission.
Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target specific mutations or proteins involved in leukemia cell growth.
Bone Marrow Transplant: Transplantation of healthy stem cells to replace diseased bone marrow.