White blood cells (leukocytes) form part of the body’s immune system and help defend the body against infection. Cancer of these blood cells is known as leukaemia, commonly called ‘blood cancer’. Based on the type of white blood cells that are affected and the rate at which they develop leukaemia is classified as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). CML is the commonest adult leukaemia in India.
Genes, diet, hormones, exposure to high levels of radiation or chemicals such as benzene, chemotherapy drugs (to treat another cancer), pre-existing blood disorders and smoking could act as risk factors. Children with chromosomal abnormalities (Down’s syndrome, Fanconi’s anaemia) have also been reported to be at a higher risk of developing leukaemia.
Leukaemia usually does not present with any symptoms at first and may be diagnosed by chance during a blood test. Lymph node biopsy in acute leukaemia establishes how far the leukaemia has spread. Acute leukaemia requires immediate treatment because it progresses rapidly and aggressively. Chronic leukaemia progresses slowly over the course of many years. The most effective method of treating leukaemia is chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is usually used in acute leukaemia to treat advanced cases of acute leukaemia that have spread to the nervous system and/or brain and to prepare the body for a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow or stem cell transplant is an alternative treatment option for some patients.
Breastfeeding has been recognised as the best form of newborn nourishment, offering multiple advantages for both mother and child. According recent studies, breastfeeding may provide long-term protection against childhood Leukaemia.
CML treatment is evolving, with newer therapies offering improved safety and efficacy profiles.
What are the three types of blood cancer? Explains Dr Mukul Roy- Consultant, Radiation Oncology, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai.
Immunotherapy is a treatment that leverages a person's immune system to destroy cancer cells present in the body.
A study published in JAMA Oncology reported that MRD-negative status assessed by flow cytometry was associated with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment can make a child completely cancer-free. Read on to know the various types, and symptoms of childhood cancer.
In the body of the ones who are suffering from Leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, which hinders proper functioning.
Doctors at Fortis Hospital, Bangalore successfully restored the vision of a 3-year-old diagnosed with rare cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
They revealed how a mutation triggers a chain of biological events that lead to most leukaemias.
According to the research presented in the journal Cancer Cell, a new kind of substance called A-485, could help in identifying a common denominator for developing new drugs to combat cancer. Read on to know more.
Childhood cancer comprises almost 3-5 per cent of the total cancer cases in India, revealed experts. They were also worried over the low cure rate due to lack of available data.
Japan-born swimming champion, RikakoIkee revealed that she was diagnosed with leukaemia with a social media post on Tuesday. Here is all you need to know about this form of blood cancer.
While common cold or flu can cause your lymph nodes to swell up, there are other serious conditions that may just prove to be the culprits.
To enable prediction of the clinical course of the CLL, MedGenome, India's premier genomics based research and diagnostics company, has announced the launch of the IGHV gene mutation testing. Current guidelines for CLL management involves comprehensive molecular work-up that includes some genetic tests performed on the patients' blood or bone marrow sample, that enables oncologists to assess the prognosis of the disease subtype and further management.
The study provides for the first time evidence that we can identify people at risk of developing AML many years before they actually develop this life-threatening disease
Leading paediatrician, Dr Vijay Yewale explains some common symptoms of cancer in children.
Mainstream AML treatments have remained unchanged for decades.
The development comes after the US Food and Drug Administration last year approved a cell-based gene therapy.
Dr Sachin Almel, consultant oncologist, P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre tells us how stem cells help in treating cancer.
Scientists have developed a new drug that has the potential to strip cancer cells of their "immortality".
The treatment duration, remission, recurrence and other questions answered.
Parents watch out for these signs.
This strategy was not effective, however, in another type of blood cancer that commonly strikes adults.
According to a recent research, brain cancer has taken over leukemia and has become the major cause of cancer deaths in children.
Breastfeeding has been recognised as the best form of newborn nourishment, offering multiple advantages for both mother and child. According recent studies, breastfeeding may provide long-term protection against childhood Leukaemia.
Immunotherapy is a treatment that leverages a person's immune system to destroy cancer cells present in the body.
A study published in JAMA Oncology reported that MRD-negative status assessed by flow cytometry was associated with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment can make a child completely cancer-free. Read on to know the various types, and symptoms of childhood cancer.
In the body of the ones who are suffering from Leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, which hinders proper functioning.
Doctors at Fortis Hospital, Bangalore successfully restored the vision of a 3-year-old diagnosed with rare cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
They revealed how a mutation triggers a chain of biological events that lead to most leukaemias.
According to the research presented in the journal Cancer Cell, a new kind of substance called A-485, could help in identifying a common denominator for developing new drugs to combat cancer. Read on to know more.
Childhood cancer comprises almost 3-5 per cent of the total cancer cases in India, revealed experts. They were also worried over the low cure rate due to lack of available data.
Japan-born swimming champion, RikakoIkee revealed that she was diagnosed with leukaemia with a social media post on Tuesday. Here is all you need to know about this form of blood cancer.
While common cold or flu can cause your lymph nodes to swell up, there are other serious conditions that may just prove to be the culprits.
To enable prediction of the clinical course of the CLL, MedGenome, India's premier genomics based research and diagnostics company, has announced the launch of the IGHV gene mutation testing. Current guidelines for CLL management involves comprehensive molecular work-up that includes some genetic tests performed on the patients' blood or bone marrow sample, that enables oncologists to assess the prognosis of the disease subtype and further management.
The study provides for the first time evidence that we can identify people at risk of developing AML many years before they actually develop this life-threatening disease
Leading paediatrician, Dr Vijay Yewale explains some common symptoms of cancer in children.
Mainstream AML treatments have remained unchanged for decades.
The development comes after the US Food and Drug Administration last year approved a cell-based gene therapy.
Dr Sachin Almel, consultant oncologist, P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre tells us how stem cells help in treating cancer.
Scientists have developed a new drug that has the potential to strip cancer cells of their "immortality".
The treatment duration, remission, recurrence and other questions answered.
This strategy was not effective, however, in another type of blood cancer that commonly strikes adults.
According to a recent research, brain cancer has taken over leukemia and has become the major cause of cancer deaths in children.
A drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat leukemia has the potential to improve motor and cognitive functions of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease and dementia, a small study has found.
Adolescents and young adults have a lower chance of surviving some common types of cancer than children, finds a new study on cancer survival across Europe.
A drug developed for breast cancer treatment that blocks the activity of CDK6 enzyme in the body has been found to be highly effective against acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with FLT3 mutations, a study said.
CML treatment is evolving, with newer therapies offering improved safety and efficacy profiles.
What are the three types of blood cancer? Explains Dr Mukul Roy- Consultant, Radiation Oncology, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai.
Parents watch out for these signs.
