Leukemia (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Leukemia Overview
- Leukemia Causes
- Leukemia Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Leukemia Treatment
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Therapy
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Support Groups and Counseling
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Leukemia - Symptoms Experienced
Leukemia Causes
The exact cause of leukemia is unknown.
- As with other cancers, smoking is considered a risk factor for leukemia, but many people who develop leukemia have never smoked, and many people who smoke never develop leukemia.
- Long-term exposure to chemicals such as benzene or formaldehyde, typically in the workplace, is considered a risk factor for leukemia, but this accounts for relatively few cases of the disease.
- Prolonged exposure to radiation is a risk factor, although this accounts for relatively few cases of leukemia. Doses of radiation used for diagnostic imaging such as x-rays and CT scans are nowhere near as prolonged or high as the doses needed to cause leukemia.
- Previous chemotherapy: Chemotherapy, particularly certain of the alkylating agents and topoisomerase inhibitors, used to treat certain types of cancers, are linked to development of leukemia later. It is likely that radiation treatment adds to the risk of leukemia associated with certain chemotherapy drugs.
- Human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1): Infection with this virus is linked to human T-cell leukemia.
- Myelodysplastic syndromes: In this unusual group of blood disorders, the net outcome is invariably an acute myelocytic process.
- Down syndrome and other genetic diseases: Some diseases caused by abnormal chromosomes may increase risk for leukemia.
- Family history: Having a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) who has chronic lymphocytic leukemia increases one’s risk of having the disease by as much as 4 times that of someone who does not have an affected relative.
Next: Leukemia Symptoms »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Leukemia - Symptoms Experienced
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
For leukemia, what were the symptoms and signs you experienced?
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Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia »
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant (clonal) disease of the bone marrow in which early lymphoid precursors proliferate and replace the normal hematopoietic cells of the marrow.
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