1. Leukemia
By: Fabiola Dominguez

2. What is leukemia?
It’s cancer of your blood cells caused by a rise in the number of white blood cells in your body
John Bennett named the disease leucocythemia, based on the microscopic accumulation of purulent leucocytes (1845).
Alfred Velpeau defined the leukemia associated symptoms, and observed pus in the blood vessels (1825)
Alfred Donné detected a maturation arrest of the white blood cells (1844)
John Hughes Benett diagnosed it in Edinburgh

3. A Few Facts… Leukemia starts in the bone marrow
There are four types: acute myeloid, chronic myeloid, acute lymphocytic, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Acute leukemias are rapid- growing cancers
chronic forms of the disease progress more slowly

4. Common misconceptions
false
true
Leukemia Is Just One Disease
It’s Only a Childhood Cancer
Leukemia= certain death
Leukemia is a diverse group of blood cancers
most frequently diagnosed among people age 65 to 74
adults with chronic leukemia have five-year survival rates roughly between 60 and 80 percent. 

5. Causes
Leukemia happens when the DNA of immature blood cells, mainly white cells, becomes damaged in some way.
Family history of leukemia
Smoking which increases chances of AML
Genetic disorders such as down syndrome
Blood disorders
Previous treatment for cancer
Exposure to radiation
Exposure to chemicals such as benzene
Not contagious
leukemia is a rare disease
most common type of acute leukemia in adults
diagnosed among people age 65 to 74

6. symptoms
bleeding, easy bruising, frequent infections, mouth ulcer, nosebleed, pallor, red spots on skin, shortness of breath, swollen lymph nodes, or unintentional weight loss
dizziness, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, or weakness

7. Lymphatic system: Leukemia
The lymphatic system is closely related to the blood cell-forming system
The lymphatic system is part of our immune system, which helps protect against disease and infection
blood-cell-forming system in our marrow is closely linked to our lymphatic system
lymphocytes travel between each node through the lymphatic channels, which meet at large ducts that empty into a blood vessel

8. The immune system: leukemia
Lymphocytic leukemia refers to abnormal cell growth in the marrow cells that become lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a role in the immune system
Directly affects the immune system through over production of white blood cells
Weakens it causing higher risks of infection
First line of defense: since it’s a mutation/ genetic trait there is no first line
Second line of defense: creates a fever in order to eliminate any bacteria that can infect the body while producing an excess amount of white blood cells

9. The immune system: leukemia
Specific defense:
Humoral response- the body produces lymphocytes
within the spleen in order to combat the infection
which makes the cancer worse
Cellular- the memory cells keep the production of
white cells going, which harms the patient more
than it helps them

10. Treatment plan
Chemotherapy is the major form of treatment for leukemia. This drug treatment uses chemicals to kill leukemia cells.
Biological therapy works by using treatments that help your immune system recognize and attack leukemia cells.
Health insurance covers majority of cost
Depending on what stage most bodies are receptive

11. Possible cures?
There is treatment plans available but leukemia has no cure
No chemicals have been proven or shown sign of relieving the overproduction
Many studies are being carried out, however no progress has been made

12. Questions ?