How
is leukemia caused?
- Blood contains erythrocytes (red blood
cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and
platelets.
- “In leukemia, leukocytes multiply at an
increased rate, resulting in an abnormally
high number of white cells.”
- Patient becomes weak as a result of
loss of oxygen; abnormal cells crowd bone
marrow
- Four main types: acute lymphocytic,
acute granulocytic, chronic lymphocytic,
and chronic granulocytic
- 5 % of all cancer cases in the US
- Environmental factors increase
risk
- Exposure to radiation, chemicals like
chloramphenicol and benzene, and possible
viruses
- Radiation: first indication came from
the early 1900s soon after the discovery of
X rays and first uses of radiation to treat
cancer
- Chemicals: farmers and other
agricultural workers exposed to pesticides,
herbicides and fertilizers have 10-40%
higher chance to get leukemia
- Doctors who adminstered radiation got
leukemia
- Siblings of leukemia patients have
higher risk to contract leukemia
|
Ideas
|
Leukemia spreads extremely quickly
Without enough oxygen, the "blue blood" is pumped
to the lungs and causes the body to be unstable
without oxygen
After the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks on Japan,
many people were exposed to radiation and developed
leukemia
Marie and Pierre Curie both developed leukemia as a
result of their work with high levels of radium
More effective cures for leukemia need to be
found
There should be more cancer research on leukemia to
help prevent new cases |
|
