Hairy cell leukemia is an atypical, gradually progressing cancer of the blood wherein there is excessive production of the B cells or lymphocytes (kind of infection-combatant white blood cells) in the bone marrow. These surfeit B cells are anomalous and appear ‘hairy’ microscopically due to the fine protuberances or villi from their surface. Due to the surge in amounts of leukemia cells, there is lesser production of healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Annually in the United States, nearly 600-800 individuals are detected with hairy cell leukemia. Hairy cell leukemia is observed to affect the male gender greater than the female, occurring mostly in the middle-age bracket or elderly individuals. Hairy cell leukemia is not known to affect kids and those in their teens. Doctors  [...]

Cladribine (Cladribine Novaplus, Leustatin) Cladribine is a cancer or antineoplastic medication for treating a form of blood cancer (Hairy Cell Leukemia) that hinders the spread of cancer cells, retarding their growth and proliferation in the body. Cladribine, however, has been additionally employed for other purposes. Likely Side effects of cladribine (Cladribine Novaplus, Leustatin) In case one is experiencing any of the below stated grave side effects, then it is vital to seek prompt medical assistance or get in touch with one’s doctor urgently. An allergic reaction characterised by shortened breath; feeling a restricted or closed sensation in the throat; breathing distress; the lips, face or tongue swelling up or appearance of hives. Lowered functioning of the bone marrow and blood  [...]

Leukemia cancer is the cancer of the cells leading to irregularity of the blood cells that could have a damaging effect on the chromosomes or genes. Leukemia is the widespread reason for cancer fatalities among infants known to affect more often the white populace than the dark skin tones. There are varied kinds of leukemia from which 2 namely; acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) are widely observed to affect children. 8 Caveat Signs Of Child Leukemia Susceptibility to Infection Child leukemia could lead to high fever and severe infirmity, however it is immune to antibiotics. It is primarily due to the dearth of white blood cells, particularly mature granulocytes. Though it leads to the elevated production of white blood cells, these cells prove defenceless  [...]

Diagnosis & Tests The doctor would initially conduct a thorough physical exam and check whether the liver, spleen, groin, neck and lymph nodes in the under arms are showing any kind of swelling. A CBC blood test would be ordered for finding out the complete blood count that evaluates the number of white and red blood cells and platelet count in the blood. Additionally, the blood sample is microscopically analysed to check for appearance of the cells and in determining the amount of mature cells and leukemia cells known as blasts. Though blood tests might show the presence but they mostly do not reveal the type of leukemia that is present. For further identification of the type of leukemia, a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy procedure is conducted by the haematologist (specialist in blood  [...]

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a chronic form of leukemia linked to a particular genetic anomaly in the leukemia cell known as the Philadelphia chromosome (T9 or T22). Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Causes: The production of the anomalous gene occurs due to the displacement of the genetic material ABL from chromosome 9 that occupies the position of the normal part of chromosome 22 located close to a region known as BCR. The resultant fusion gene BCRABL causes the ABL gene to function in anomalous manner leading to the development of leukemia. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Symptoms: Majority of the patients that have developed CML initially seek medical advice when they developed the following symptoms: Weariness Low-grade Fever or sweating. Feeling fullness in the stomach due to spleen  [...]

The reaction to R-CHOP chemotherapy treatment varies from person to person with some experiencing very few while others undergoing more of them. The side effects elucidated would not be evident in all that are undergoing this treatment. The most prevalent side effects are stated below: Flu-similar symptoms – In some cases, rituximab could lead to fever and chills, feeling weak, tired, giddy and headaches that could be experienced during the time the drug is administered, that are transitory in nature. Low blood pressure – While rituximab is being infused, the blood pressure could plummet. Hence, during the course of the treatment the blood pressure would be regularly monitored. Those consuming blood pressure lowering medications would be recommended to take them at least twelve hours  [...]

Chronic Lymphcytic leukemia (CLL) is condition caused due to lymphocytes losing their normal perishing capability leading to their accumulation over periods of time. Initially, the cell production amplifies solely in the blood, however as years pass by, they tend to proliferate even in the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and bone marrow. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Symptoms: Several patients are asymptomatic during analysis, apart from a high white blood cell count. Few might experience weariness or lymph node swelling or a sense abdominal fullness because of a spleen enlargement. As CLL reaches more advanced stages and commences replacing normal bone marrow, the depleted blood counts could lead to one becoming anemic and prone to infections. CLL makes a person more susceptible to infection  [...]

R-CHOP is a form of chemotherapy treatment used in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It derives its name subsequent to the initials of the drugs employed during the procedure. It entails the use of the monoclonal antibody rituximab, and the below stated chemotherapy drugs: Cyclophosphamide Doxorubicin that has the chemical name –hydroxydaunorubicin Vincristine that was initially identified as Oncovin. Prednisolone – a steroid. Rituximab Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody employed in an attempt to obliterate some types of cancer cells while preserving the functioning of normal cells. They are intended to detect certain proteins that are present on the surface of some of the cancer cells and fasten onto them much alike a lock-&-key mechanism. This locking mechanism elicits the body’s immune  [...]

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an atypical form of cancer that affects nearly two hundred adults annually in the UK. Leukaemia is the cancer caused due to the uninhibited proliferation of the white blood cells due to which these cells cannot reach maturity. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, there is unrestrained production of the immature lymphocytes known as lymphoblasts (at times called as blast cells). There are two varied kinds of lymphocytes, namely: B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes. These immature cells inundate the bone marrow and impede proper functioning of blood cells production. Since the leukemia cells have not attained total maturity, they fail to carry out the task of normal white blood cells leading to a heightened likelihood of infections. As the bone marrow is crammed  [...]

Leukemia is a form of cancer affecting the tissues which are responsible for the body’s blood formation that includes the bone marrow and the lymph system. During this condition, there is huge production of the anomalous white blood cells by the bone marrow to such an extent that at times it lends the blood a white cast. The normally functioning white blood cells are powerful infection-combatants. However, among individuals affected with leukemia the irregular white blood cells have a tendency of accumulating, hindering normal white blood cell production and impeding the body’s capacity to combat infection. Leukemia treatment is a multifarious approach wherein majority of the patients undergo chemotherapy, while others get treated with radiation therapy, BMT or bone marrow implant or biological  [...]