Leukemia - The Most Misunderstood Cancer

Most people perceive Leukemia as being cancer of the blood. This is partly true, but it is a lot more than that. It actually starts in the tissue that produces blood, resulting in abnormal white cells. These don't die as normal blood cells do, and swamp the normal red and white cells and also the platelets, making these cells difficult to do their jobs. These abnormal white cells are actually called Leukemia cells and if they carry on crowding out the normal cells and platelets cause the untimely death of the sufferer.

There are two main kinds of Leukemia, each defined by the way it develops and the speed with which it progresses. These are chronic and acute, which progress slowly and rapidly respectively. In the early stages of Chronic Leukemia, the abnormal cells are still able to work alongside the normal cells, albeit at a reduced rate. As there are no early presentable symptoms, this type is generally diagnosed at a routine health check. In the later stages, when the abnormal cells have reached a critical point, suffers may notice that their lymph nodes are swollen or repeated infections. The abnormal cells in Acute Leukemia can't do any of the work of the normal cells, and they can increase at an alarming rate. These two kinds of Leukemia are then split into further types depending on where they present themselves. The types that appears in the Lymphoid cells are Lymphocytic, Lymphoid or Lymphoblastic. The Leukemias in the Myeloid cells are Myelogenous, Myeloid or Myeloblastic.

There is still no proven reason why some people develop Cancer and those with he same lifestyle don't. Although many have theories it is still a medical mystery. Smoking is widely regarded as a major cause of Cancer, in this case acute Myeloid Leukemia, but there are many non smokers who develop it, and many smokers who don't. Inherited diseases are also thought to play a part, and there sometimes seems to be a family link with Cancer, but unfortunately it still seems to be a lottery as to who will develop Cancer and who won't. It is a fact that many who would be classed as high risk will never develop a Cancer during their lifetime, and this is what is so scary about this ferocious disease.

There are many different kinds of Leukemia treatment, mainly depending on the type. Your age also plays a factor in the treatment, and whether or not the Leukemia cells were present in the fluid produced from a spinal tap. The main treatments are targeted therapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy, stem cell or bone marrow transplant and radiotherapy. As with all Cancers, early diagnosis is vital, something that can be very difficult in Chronic Leukemia.

We should all do what we can to stay fit and healthy so that our bodies continue to do their job effectively, but sadly there are no guarantees that we won't develop Leukemia at some stage. Research is constant and treatment continues to improve, but all we can really do is hope that none of us develop this cruel disease.

Lymphoma - Symptoms And Prevention

Diseases like tumors, sarcoma, melanoma, and lymphoma have threatened many human lives. When we look on any type of cancers we will find many experts are doing research to find out the best cures for the patients. Besides this there are experts in prostate cancer and in acoustic neuroma that have been successful in introducing some form of treatment but still there is much more progress required to treat the large number of patients. Let us move to the disease of Lymphoma, which has become one of the common causes of fatalities these days. Hopefully those suffering from this condition will get some basic help.

What is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a type of building up disease which disturbs the cycle of lymphatic system. Lymphatic system is a part of immune system, a system which helps our body to fight against bacteria and viruses. When the system gets disturbed, the disease starts to spread because there is no other way to fight back the bacteria and constant virus attacks inside the body. It is a kind of disease which when spreads in any part of the body starts to decay that section. It is really a cursing disease and has put many lives to suffer.

Often we come to hear about the "Lymph Nodes". This is the section where lymphoma tends to attack. These nodes are swollen at the time we are carrying any bacterial infection. A time comes when the cells in this section start to develop and their rapid growth curse the section. The final stage of this development results in Lymphoma.

Causes & Symptoms:

With the research, the experts have not declared any definite causes for the diseases as every patient is having his or her own symptom for the disease. However, there are some general risk factors which can give you a bit sign but still there is a deep diagnosis required to testify the suspected patient.

Age:

There are two age groups who are found with the disease. The first percentile is reported in old people, who are above the age of 60. In children it is recorded in the kids who have a weak or pre-mature immune system.

Already disturbed or weak immune system:

The person with a weaker immune system can easily come under the influence of Lymphoma. A weak immune system itself invites this disease after that it spreads rapidly.

Inherited:

Lymphoma can be inherited. If anyone had the same syndrome in his or her family, then it increases the likelihood for the disease to come back to the person.

Other diseases of stimulation:

There are some diseases which also invites the urgency of Lymphoma. The most common are HIV Aids and hepatitis C.

Prevention:

As the disease does not have any confirmed symptoms, the choices of prevention are also very limited. According to the experts' advice, you can prevent yourself by eradicating the risk factors. There are some automatic risk factors which you cannot avoid, like inheritance factor. But you can avoid some risk factors which are in your hand like avoid smoking etc.