leukemia symptoms

Symptoms of leukemia can be vary from person to person

2008-08-07T02:05:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of leukemia can be vary from person to person. Some patients symptoms may be very mild for a very long time until it is diagnosed by the doctor or develop and this kind of leukemia are called chronic leukemia while some other people may experience severe or acute symptoms and are classified as acute leukemia. Leukemia are said to affects others parts of the body and the lungs

The symptoms are result to the abnormal white cells that may be collect in the brain or the spinal cord thus cause symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, finding unusual skin rashes, loss of muscle control and also result in difficult seeing. Others people may develop sores in the eyes. Others symptoms are finding swollen lymph in the armpits, neck and groin area. Feeling pain in the bone and joint area. Loss of appetite as your stomach feel full most of the time result in weight loss. Swelling in the belly or pain on the left side of the belly or in the left shoulder from a swollen spleen. Experience fevers and night sweats.

Leukemia cancer our bone marrow produce abnormal white cell

2008-05-22T01:04:00.000-07:00

People with leukemia cancer is that their bone marrow produce abnormal white cell called leukemia cells. The types of leukemia are also grouped by the type of white blood cell that is affected. Leukemia can arise in lymphoid cells or myeloid cells. Leukemia that affects lymphoid cells is called lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia that affects myeloid cells is called myeloid leukemia or myelogenous leukemia. Leukemia can be chronic or acute. Chronic leukemia is the abnormal blood cell still can be function and it will get worse slowly not like acute leukemia it will get worse quickly as the blood cell are very abnormal result in difficult in carry out their normal work.

The symptoms of leukemia are fever and night sweats, most of the time feeling very tired and weak, Having headache quite often, frequent infections, Find pain in the bones and joints and bleeding in the gums and find tiny red spots under the skins or purple patches in the skins. Most leukemia patients will find swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpit and feeling discomfort in the abdomen due to the enlarge spleen. Weight loss. See your doctor if you experience such symptoms as your doctor can diagnose the problem because such symptoms may not be leukemia cancer it may due to other infection.

Leukemia patients can look forward to live a better quality of life.

2008-03-25T01:39:00.000-07:00

Today leukemia patients had less change of dying from the disease as scientist are studying its causes and treatment to find leukemia patients can look forward to live a better quality of life. a better ways to treat a leukemia. With the latest research on leukemia patients, For leukemia people, the bone barrow produced abnormal white cells which are called leukemia cells.

There are many types of leukemia and the common are chronic leukemia and acute leukemia. For chronic leukemia it is the beginning of the disease where the abnormal blood cells can still functions and most of the chronic leukemia may not show or have any symptoms until the chronic leukemia get worse, then only symptoms appears as the number of leukemia cells in the blood rises. Patients with acute leukemia where by the blood cells cannot carried out its normal works as the number of abnormal cells increases rapidly.

People who works in a chemical plants which are exposure of benzene are at high risk of infecting with this disease. People exposure to very high levels of radiation and cancer patients who are treated with certain cancer fighting drug. Family members who are leukemia patients.

knows the common symptoms of leukemia

2007-12-12T00:22:00.000-08:00

Leukemai is a kind of cancer of the blood and marrow. Its is cause by an over production of white blood cells. This leads to the lack of normal blood cells which result leads to leukemai symptoms. Leukemai is a kind of disease that our body overproducing of immature blood cells which is called stem cells. This cells are immature and can't replace our normal blood cells, with this our body is exposed to many kinds of disease and infection.

Anemia is the most common types of leukemia symptoms which the patients will find their bloodstream had insufficient of red blood cells which leads to risks of bleeding as the patients body has insufficient platelets in the bloodstream, result to nose bleeding, bleeding of the oral cavity and predisposing to bruising. Others kinds of leukemia symptoms are weight loss, stress, loss of appetite, fatique, poor psychical performance and lack of concentration. Some leukemia patients will have symptoms like having enlarge liver and spleen result with abdominal swelling and notice of enlarge lymph nodes. If notice such kinds of symptoms check with your medical professionals.

Acute and chronic leukemia

2007-09-25T01:26:00.000-07:00

Most of the sign and symptoms of leukemia are weight loss, loss of muscle contol and keep complaining of joint pains, fatique, vomitting, fever most of his life time, abnormal bleeding and notice enlarge spleen lymph nodes. Some leukemia patients will developes sores on the skin or in the eyes. While some leukemia patients will show no symptom until the disease has advance to chronic leukemia.

As leukemia is one of dangerous disease it is advisable to see your doctor if you notice such symptom and its a types of cancer that stard in our body that produce blood cell in our bone marrow which are called lymph nodes which are break up into parts namely the acute and chronic leukemia. The function of Acute and chronic are difference in style. The acute are faster progressing leukemia while chronic leukemia slowly progressing leukemia.

Knowing the early symptom of leukemia

2007-07-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

Leukemia like all blood cell travel through our body. The symptoms of leukemia can be the same with other disease, See your doctor as soon as possible if you observed this symptoms cause your doctor can only diagnose and treat the diseases. Most of the common symptons for leukemia are fever or night sweats, feeling weak and tired most of the time, headache, frequent infections, pain in the bones or joint area, weight loss. bleeding and bruising, the bleeding most happen at the gums area, finding purplish patches in the skin and tiny red spots under the skins, swelling or discomfort in the abdomen, swollen lymph nodes at the armpit or the neck area.

The early stage of leukemia are called chronic leukemia where the symptom don't stay very long and may not have symptoms at the beginning. When the leukemia blood cell rises as leukemia is getting worse then it will cause a number of symptoms where most of the doctor refer as acute leukemia as our blood cell became very abnormal and cannot carries their daily works. Acute leukemia worsens when a number of abnormal cells increases rapidly

Most of the symptoms of acute leukemia are vomiting, loss of muscle control, confusion and seizures. The cells can collect in the testicles causing it to swell. Leukemia also can affect the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs, or other parts of the body. Some patients develop sores in the eyes or on the skin.

Second chance for leukaemia man

2007-06-26T23:30:00.000-07:00

A Malaysian doctor, accompanied by a volunteer from the buddhist Tzu Chi organisation, had brought back the 200ml stem cells which was kept in a box at a temperatureof -4c which was witness by many pressman. It was a race against time for the doctor who had to delivered the cell within 24 hours to kuala Lumpur, once it was brought from the hospital in Taiwan.

It differs from bone marrow transplant which requires anaesthesia and extraction of the stem cells directly from the bone marrowsaid the doctor who personally sent the stemcells to the hospital where a blood tranfusionwas successfully carried out on the leukaemia patients Kok Boon.

Kok Boon, a former thchnician was diagnoise with leukaemia in May last year and started six intensive chemotherapies since then.After a year long wait a donors were identified through Buddhist Tzu Chi stem cell centre in Taiwan.

Some leukemia patients exhibit no symptoms

2007-06-05T01:42:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is one of the most dangerous types of cancer that starts in the organs that make blood, namely the bone marrow and the lymph system and its divided into two types, the acute and chronic. Acute leukemias are the rapidly progressing leukemias, while the chronic leukemias progress more slowly. The cells thats produced blood cell in the bone marrow are called lymph system.

The signs and symptoms of leukemia are not quite specific. This is because some symptoms can be found in non-cancer patients as well. The symptoms of people with leukemia are weight loss, enlarge spleen lymph nodes, fatigue, hematoma, abnormal bleeding, abdominal pain, fever most of the time and complaining joint pain. Some leukemia patients exhibit no symptoms until the disease becomes chronic.

If you are suspected of having infected with leukemia disease the doctor will often recommend many testing before confirm that you leukemia patients. The doctor will do a blood test wherein any abnormalities related to leukemia can be seen. The two abnormalities are called anemia and leukocytes. Anemia means that the blood has very low levels of erythrocytes or red blood cells. Leukopenia means that the blood has very low levels of leukocytes or white blood cells.

Symptom of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

2007-04-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the blood and bone marrow. AML can occur in adults or children AML is often difficult to diagnose. The early signs may be similar to the flu or other common diseases. Other symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia are fever, weakness or tiredness, or achiness in the bones or joints. This leukemia symptoms mostly won't go away and will be off and on.

Once this symptoms is diagonase, the doctor may order blood tests to count the number of each of the different kinds of blood cells. If the results of the blood tests are not normal, a doctor may do a bone marrow biopsy. During this test, a needle is inserted into a bone and a small amount of bone marrow is taken out and looked at under a microscope. A doctor can then tell what kind of leukemia is present and plan the best treatment for the patient.

People with Acute myelogenous leukemia

2007-03-13T01:45:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is an aggressive cancer of the bone marrow and blood. One of the most dangerous and incurable cancer. AML, (acute myelogenous leukemia) is the most common type of leukemia where the blood cells are malformed and useless. The cells can accumulate in parts of the body.

Peoples who is infected with the disease (Acute myelogenous leukemia) are mostly are age above 65 years old. It is very rare to find people who is under 40 years old infected with this disease. The leukemai symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia include abnormal blood counts, a general run-down, unwell feeling that never gets better, reoccurring infections, swollen lymph nodes, and bone/ joint pain. Symptoms are acute (comes on suddenly, and accelerates quickly) instead of chronic (mild symptoms that gradually worsen over years).

Benzene Leukemia

2007-02-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

Benzene Leukemia is a dangerous life threatening Cancer. The people who developed
Benzene Leukemia are mostly people working long term in chemical oil plants, gas plants and painters. Symptoms of Benzene Leukemia Central Nervous system Disorders, Anemia, and other forms of acute and chronic Leukemia’s.

Several tests can show if you have been exposed to benzene. The test is measured in the blood and had to take quickly as benzene disappears rapidly from the blood.

Green tea help in the fight against cancer

2006-11-22T21:10:00.000-08:00

Reseached found green tea good for health in many way as green tea helps to lower our blood pressure. Drinking green tea also helps to lower our cholesterol and also Green tea has been reported to help in the fight against cancer.

Good about green tea because it contains large amounts of vitamins E and C which are antioxidants. Studies found green tea and green tea extract have many abilities in fighting cancer such as leukemia cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian and cervical cancer, and pelvic cancer.

Taking green tea as your daily diet will lower the risk of getting cancer.

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treatment of leukemaia

2006-10-30T20:09:00.000-08:00

Leukemia is one of the dangerous diesease that is related to the blood which has access to almost all body organs including the all important brain and heart. The incidence of cancerous cells being carried to the different parts of the body increases drastically due to this fact. Another striking aspect of the blood cancer is that it affects the leukocytes or the “white blood corpuscles” of the blood. These are the ones that protect the body from external infections. Thus the immunity of the body is seen to decrease drastically due to leukemia. The main effect of the disease is that the body starts producing infected and abnormal cells that hinder the function of blood carrying of oxygen.

The treatment of leukemaia are :-

Chemotherapy utilizes chemicals to treat the cancer. It causes many side effects such as hair loss, nausea and decline of the immune system. This is the most common form of treatment for leukemia.

Radiation therapy is another form of treatment. It is painless and in low doses causes very few side effects. Where the radiation is concentrated and the exposure levels will determine the side effects which might damage to the skin, swelling and infertility are among the possible side effects.

A bone marrow transplant is an effective way to prolong the life of cancer patients. It is however a risky surgery and requires a donor which can be difficult in attaining. These surgeries should be performed at state hospitals specializing in cancer treatment. This surgery has a high mortality rate and is therefore used only in life threatening cases.

person is diagnosed with leukemia

2006-10-20T01:08:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is considered one of the most dangerous types of cancer as it affects one of the most important tissues of the body, blood, which has access to almost all of the organs of the body. This increases the chances of cancer cells being carried to other parts of the body where these cells can stay and grow. It is also considered a dangerous disease because it affects the leukocytes, or the white blood cells, which play an important role in the body’s defense against disease. People with leukemia often have compromised immunity. The presence of abnormal cells in the blood hinders the blood from functioning well.

People with leukemia symptoms often exhibit dramatic weight loss, frequent headaches, and bleeding in different organs such as the gums and the nose and the presence of hematomas or bruises on the body.

When a person is diagnosed with leukemia, he is most likely referred to a hematologist-oncologist, who is a doctor that specializes in the treatment of leukemia. After examination, the doctor then suggests the possible treatments that can be employed to treat the leukemia, which will depend on the type and severity of the leukemia. The usual treatment of leukemia is divided into two categories: treatments that are aimed at fighting the cancer and treatments that are aimed at relieving the symptoms and the side effects of the disease.

Chemotherapy is another possible cancer treatments, which involves the use of very powerful medication to kill leukemia cells.

Common leukemia symptoms

2006-10-09T01:13:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is cancer that begins in blood cells and which is usually accompanied by anemia, impaired blood clotting, and enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.
Leukemia occurs in males more often than in females and in white people more often than in black people.

The most common leukemia symptoms are: anemia (insufficient number of red blood cells in the bloodstream), risks of bleeding (insufficient number of platelets in the bloodstream), nose bleeding, bleeding of the oral cavity, predisposition to bruising, high exposure to infections due to lack of white blood cells, improper healing.

Other leukemia symptoms may be fatigue, lack of concentration, poor psychical performance, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Benzene Leukemia life threatening Cancer

2006-10-02T00:55:00.000-07:00

Leukemia in commonly defined as cancer of white blood cells, in which bone marrow excessively produces immature abnormal white blood cells which fills up the bone marrow spaces and ultimately spills into the peripheral blood, thereby spreading to different parts of the body.
Benzene is a known carcinogen in humans and causes benzene related cancer. Breathing benzene vapors may cause immediate death and other exposures to the chemical have been linked to various forms of leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

In the body, benzene is converted to products called metabolites. Certain metabolites can be measured in the urine. However, this test must be done shortly after exposure and is not a reliable indicator of how much benzene you have been exposed to, since the metabolites may be present in urine from other sources.

Benzene Leukemia is a dangerous life threatening Cancer that develop as a result of Long term exposure to excessive levels of Benzene. In addition to Benzene leukemia People suffers from other abnormalities such as, Chromosomal abnormalities, Central Nervous system Disorders, Anemia, And may be some other forms of acute and chronic Leukemia’s.

Employees working in Chemical oil Industries, and gas plants, painters and Other industrial solvent users, are at more risk to Benzene Exposure On long term Exposure to this type of Benzene bye products causes Leukemic Cancer of Blood Forming Organs.

Several tests can show if you have been exposed to benzene. There is test for measuring benzene in the breath; this test must be done shortly after exposure. Benzene can also be measured in the blood, however, since benzene disappears rapidly from the blood, measurements are accurate only for recent exposures.

leukemia causes

2006-09-20T20:47:00.000-07:00

The direct leukemia causes are still unknown. In present, medical science isn’t able to establish the specific leukemia disease causes. However, a strong connection between certain genetic factors and the development of the disease has been revealed. Leukemia occurs on the background of genetic failure that causes the excessive production of incomplete, partially matured blood cells. Also, leukemia has a hereditary character, allowing the transmission of genetic predispositions to disease from one generation to another. Although many factors are known to contribute to the development of leukemia, they alone can’t be considered leukemia causes.

Leukemia is basically a type of cancer of the bone marrow and blood, caused by inappropriate cellular activity. The disease can be of different forms, according to the types of blood cells that cause its development. Also, if leukemia is developing rapidly, it is called acute leukemia, while if the disease is developing slowly, it is referred to as chronic leukemia.

Genetic factors that are considered to be leukemia causes chromosome abnormalities – some rare genetic syndromes are known to contribute to leukemia causes;

- Immune system genetic problems - a weak immune system is very likely to facilitate the occurrence of leukemia and therefore can be considered a leukemia cause;

- Down syndrome – children born with this syndrome have a very high risk of developing acute leukemia.

leukemia symptoms : Leukemia and Infections

2006-09-12T01:07:00.000-07:00

Common infections that affect mothers and babies may trigger certain types of childhood cancers. Leukemia and brain tumors, leading cancers in children, occur in clusters, which suggests that outbreaks of infections are a contributing cause of the disease. These infections could be minor, common illnesses...such a cold, mild flu or a respiratory infection. Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, accounting for nearly one third of all cases. Most of the rise has been in children ages 1 to 4. An infection in the womb or early in life could lead to cancer in young people who carry mutant cells that would make them more vulnerable to the disease. The virus would hit this mutant cell and cause a second mutation, prompting the onset of cancers like leukemia or brain tumors.

Viruses and Leukemia
Viruses of the retrovirus and herpesvirus families may potentially cause certain human leukemias and lymphomas. The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 causes adult T-cell leukemia. Influenza virus may also be a cause.
From 1974 to 2000, peaks in the rate of the acute lymphoblastic type of leukemia (ALL) among children in the UK seem to have occurred immediately after influenza epidemics. Perhaps some childhood leukemia may be triggered by infection occurring close to the time of diagnosis of leukemia. The findings are based on an analysis of data from the National Registry of Childhood Tumours, which covers the entire childhood population of the UK. During the 27-year period covered by the study, the rate of childhood ALL increased by 0.7 percent annually, on average. However, the rate spiked upward slightly in 1976 and 1990, just after influenza epidemics. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, March 15, 2006.

by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

leukemia symptoms : Green tea and Leukemia

2006-09-12T01:04:00.000-07:00

Green tea may help treat a form of adulthood leukemia. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, found that of four patients who started drinking green tea or taking green tea extracts, three showed clear improvements in their condition in the following months. The patients all had chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, a form of leukemia that usually arises during or after middle-age and typically progresses slowly. Like all types of leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, in which abnormal white blood cells replace healthy blood cells. What's particularly interesting about these four cases, according to Dr. Tait Shanafelt, is that the patients all started using green tea on their own, after hearing media reports about a lab study Shanafelt and his colleagues conducted. That study showed that one compound found in green tea, known as EGCG, was able to kill cancer cells that were taken from chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients and put in a test tube with the tea compound. After the findings were published, the doctors became aware of four chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients at their center who had started using green tea products and seemed to be doing better. In interviewing the patients and reviewing their records, the doctors found that three showed signs of a regression in their cancer after they started to drink green tea or take green tea capsules. The fourth had an improvement in her white blood cell count, though her disease remained unchanged by standard criteria. In one case, the patient had been showing progressive swelling in her lymph nodes - one of the characteristics of chronic lymphocytic leukemia - before she starting taking green tea capsules twice a day. Over the next year, her lymph nodes steadily decreased in size. These cases alone cannot prove that green tea or its extracts conferred the benefits. An answer to that question, he said, awaits the outcome of an ongoing clinical trial he is leading. The study, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, is testing the effects of a purified EGCG extract in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia. SOURCE: Leukemia Research, online December 1, 2005.

by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

leukemia symptoms : How adult acute myeloid leukemia is treated

2006-08-30T01:46:00.000-07:00

There are treatments for all patients with AML. The primary treatment of AML is chemotherapy. Radiation therapy may be used in certain cases. Bone marrow transplantation and biological therapy are being studied in clinical trials.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Drugs may be given by mouth, or they may be put into the body by a needle in a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy may sometimes be put into the fluid that surrounds the brain through a needle in the brain or back (intrathecal chemotherapy).

Radiation therapy uses x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation for AML usually comes from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy).

If the leukemia cells have spread to the brain, radiation therapy to the brain or intrathecal chemotherapy will be given.

There are two phases of treatment for AML. The first stage is called induction therapy. The purpose of induction therapy is to kill as many of the leukemia cells as possible and make patients go into remission. Once in remission with no signs of leukemia, patients enter a second phase of treatment (called continuation therapy), which tries to kill any remaining leukemia cells. Chemotherapy may be given for several years to keep a patient in remission.

Bone marrow transplantation is used to replace the bone marrow with healthy bone marrow. First, all of the bone marrow in the body is destroyed with high doses of chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. Healthy marrow is then taken from another person (a donor) whose tissue is the same as or almost the same as the patient's. The donor may be a twin (the best match), a brother or sister, or a person who is not related. The healthy marrow from the donor is given to the patient through a needle in the vein, and the marrow replaces the marrow that was destroyed. A bone marrow transplant using marrow from a relative or from a person who is not related is called an allogeneic bone marrow transplant.

Another type of bone marrow transplant, called autologous bone marrow transplant, is being studied in clinical trials. To do this type of transplant, bone marrow is taken from the patient and treated with drugs to kill any cancer cells. The marrow is then frozen to save it. Next, high-dose chemotherapy is given with or without radiation therapy to destroy all of the remaining marrow. The frozen marrow that was saved is then thawed and given to the patient through a needle in a vein to replace the marrow that was destroyed.

Another type of autologous transplant is called a peripheral blood stem cell transplant. The patient's blood is passed through a machine that removes the stem cells (immature cells from which all blood cells develop), then returns the blood to the patient. This procedure is called leukapheresis and usually takes 3 or 4 hours to complete. The stem cells are treated with drugs to kill any cancer cells and then frozen until they are transplanted to the patient. This procedure may be done alone or with an autologous bone marrow transplant.

A greater chance for recovery occurs if the doctor chooses a hospital that does more than five bone marrow transplantations per year.

Biological therapy tries to get the body to fight cancer. It uses materials made by the patient's body or made in a laboratory to boost, direct, or restore the body's natural defenses against disease. Biological therapy is sometimes called biological response modifier therapy or immunotherapy.

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leukemia symptoms : What is adult acute myeloid leukemia?

2006-08-30T01:43:00.000-07:00

Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the blood and bone marrow. AML is also called acute nonlymphocytic leukemia or ANLL. The bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside the large bones in the body. The bone marrow makes red blood cells (which carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body), white blood cells (which fight infection), and platelets (which make the blood clot).
Normally, the bone marrow makes cells called blasts that develop (mature) into several different types of blood cells that have specific jobs to do in the body. AML affects the blasts that are developing into white blood cells called granulocytes. In AML, the blasts do not mature and become too numerous. These immature blast cells are then found in the blood and the bone marrow.

Leukemia can be acute (progressing quickly with many immature blasts) or chronic (progressing slowly with more mature looking cancer cells). Acute myeloid leukemia progresses quickly. AML can occur in adults or children (refer to the PDQ summaries on Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment and Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment for more information). (Refer to the PDQ summaries on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment; Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Treatment; Adult Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment; and Hairy Cell Leukemia Treatment for more information.)

AML is often difficult to diagnose. The early signs may be similar to the flu or other common diseases. A doctor should be seen if the following signs or symptoms won't go away: fever, weakness or tiredness, or achiness in the bones or joints.

If there are symptoms, a doctor may order blood tests to count the number of each of the different kinds of blood cells. If the results of the blood tests are not normal, a doctor may do a bone marrow biopsy. During this test, a needle is inserted into a bone and a small amount of bone marrow is taken out and looked at under a microscope. A doctor can then tell what kind of leukemia is present and plan the best treatment.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on the type of AML and the patient's age and general health.

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leukemia symptoms : Laboratory Tests

2006-08-30T01:32:00.000-07:00

Complete blood count (CBC) and differential
These are routine tests that are ordered to count the number and relative proportion of each of the different types of cells in the blood stream. They give your doctor information about the relative maturity of the blood cells present and they can provide the first evidence that a person has leukemia. Irregularities in cell counts, such as elevated WBC counts or low red blood cell counts may be due to leukemia or to a variety of temporary or chronic conditions, but blasts (very immature WBCs) are not normally seen in the blood. If they are present, some kind of leukemia is likely, and follow-up testing is indicated. The CBC and differential are used to help diagnose leukemia and are important tools to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and to detect recurrence.

Bone marrow aspiration/biopsy
Bone marrow exists as a matrix of fibrous supporting tissue, fluid, undifferentiated stem cells (that have the capability of becoming any of the different types of blood cells), and a mixture of blasts and maturing blood cells. If your doctor suspects leukemia, he will often order a bone marrow aspiration or biopsy to actually look at the cell-producing fluid and tissue in the marrow. A pathologist, or other specialist then examines the marrow sample (bone and/or fluid) under the microscope, evaluating the number, size, and shape of each of the cell types, as well as the proportions of mature and immature cells. If leukemia is present, the type and severity of the disease can be determined.

Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
If leukemia is found in the bone marrow a spinal tap may also be done to look for leukemia cells in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Flourescent in situ hybridization (FISH)
This is a molecular cytogenetic test used to investigate chromosomal abnormalities associated with leukemias, other cancers, and genetic disorders. The test can be performed using a variety of samples including blood and bone marrow. Its main advantage is that non-dividing, uncultured cells can be used to help establish or confirm a diagnosis using this method.

Non-Laboratory Tests
X-rays are sometimes used to look for signs of the disease (tumors and masses of cells) in areas such as the chest. Other imaging scans may also be used to evaluate the status of body organs such as the spleen, liver, and kidney.

Treatments
In general, cure and remission rates of leukemia continue to improve for both children and adults.

Specific treatment depends on the type, severity, and symptoms. The goals of treatment are to address the cell shortages that are causing symptoms, push the leukemia into remission, and, if possible, kill all of the abnormal white blood cells -- allowing normal cells to reproduce and restore blood cell function.

Symptomatic treatment may include red blood cell and/or platelet transfusions and antibiotic therapy. If the spleen is too swollen, it may need to be surgically removed. Treatment of the leukemia may include chemotherapy drugs and radiation — both to kill cells and to relieve pain. If leukemia cells have migrated into the cerebrospinal fluid, chemotherapy drugs that are injected directly into the spinal fluid may be required.

In some cases bone marrow samples may be taken from the patient, "cleaned" of abnormal cells, and frozen to be reintroduced into the same patient following treatment. Allogeneic bone marrow transplants (using a marrow sample from a compatible donor -- most frequently a family member) can be used to cure many cases of acute leukemia. Bone marrow transplants may be considered when other treatment regimens have failed to push the leukemia into remission, or when the leukemia has recurred.

Patients with chronic leukemia may not need treatment for years, until the number of WBCs begins to increase, and/or the number of red blood cells or platelets decreases. Over-treatment of chronic leukemia may be worse than under-treatment, because drugs won't cure the condition or prolong the patient's survival and they may cause severe side effects.

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leukemia symptoms : Understanding and Recognizing

2006-08-24T03:51:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is a sort of cancer of the blood and marrow. The disease is characterized through the overproducing of immature blood cells (stem cells) that aren’t able to fully develop and carry out the activities of normal blood cells.

Each type of mature blood cells has specific traits and roles inside the body. White blood cells or leukocytes have an important role in the immune system, contributing to overcome infections. White blood cells also help in healing flesh wounds and cuts. Red blood cells or erythrocytes contain hemoglobin, which has a great importance in transporting oxygen to the cells within the organism. Red blood cells are vital for the process of cell respiration, carrying oxygen to cells and removing carbon dioxide from them. Platelets have an important role in repairing damage at the level of blood vessels, accumulating to seal any cuts or tares.

Leukemia leads to the accumulation and crowding of diseased stem cells at the level of the bone marrow, which decreases the normal production of healthy blood cells. The lack of normal blood cells leads to the appearance of leukemia symptoms. It is important to understand that despite the fact that leukemia causes an over production of white blood cells, these cells are immature and can’t substitute for normal blood cells. Due to this, the body is exposed to many forms of infection.

The most common leukemia symptoms are: anemia (insufficient number of red blood cells in the bloodstream), risks of bleeding (insufficient number of platelets in the bloodstream), nose bleeding, bleeding of the oral cavity, predisposition to bruising, high exposure to infections due to lack of white blood cells, improper healing.

Other leukemia symptoms may be fatigue, lack of concentration, poor psychical performance, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.

In the case of chronic leukemia, which facilitates the accumulation of diseased blood cells in different places inside the body, the leukemia symptoms may be migraines, insomnia, decreased vision and hearing, loss of balance, faints and seizures. Some of these leukemia symptoms need immediate medical intervention, as they may lead to further complications.

Sometimes people with leukemia may have enlarged liver and spleen, causing abdominal swelling or enlarged lymph nodes. The body glands of the organism can also be affected by leukemia.

Leukemia symptoms have a non-specific character. This means that they can be misleading in establishing an appropriate diagnose, as they may also occur in the cases of other diseases. Medical professionals are the only persons able to distinguish leukemia from other illnesses with resembling symptoms. Proper diagnose is very important in order to quickly begin the administration of specific treatment. Blood analysis and careful body examinations can reveal the presence of leukemia. Leukemia is considered to have a high rate of mortality and although the disease can be overcome through treatment and therapy, it can cause death if its presence is not noticed in time. Therefore, prompt intervention is required for leukemia, regardless of its type.

By Groshan Fabiola

leukemia symptoms : A Guide To Leukemia

2006-08-24T03:46:00.000-07:00

Being diagnosed with cancer is devastating; cancer is a very serious disease that has caused the deaths of a lot of people. However, given recent developments in medicine and in technology, the treatments used to treat cancers are now becoming more potent and effective, and in some cases, treatments are successful at eradicating certain forms of cancers.

In addition to treatment, one of the most powerful tools in the battle against cancer is information; a better understanding of a disease can help an individual to avoid certain risk factors that could prevent full recovery. This principle applies to most diseases, especially to those that are considered very serious. One of these diseases is leukemia, which, in simpler terms, is cancer of the blood. Following is some information on this disease.

Leukemia facts

Leukemia is considered one of the most dangerous types of cancer as it affects one of the most important tissues of the body: blood, which has access to almost all of the organs of the body. This increases the chances of cancer cells being carried to other parts of the body where these cells can stay and grow. It is also considered a dangerous disease because it affects the leukocytes, or the white blood cells, which play an important role in the body’s defense against disease; people with leukemia often have compromised immunity. The presence of abnormal cells in the blood hinders the blood from functioning well.

With regard to symptoms, people with leukemia symptoms often exhibit dramatic weight loss, frequent headaches, and bleeding in different organs such as the gums and the nose. Another common symptom is the presence of hematomas or bruises on the body. The usual treatment of this disease is chemotherapy, where patients are given oral drugs that target cancer cells. Another common treatment is radiation, which can have certain side effects such as the loss of hair.

Leukemia is a very dangerous disease because it affects the blood. However, it is still curable, as recent developments in treatments and research have made some headway in effectively treating the disease. Together with this, people should also realize that one of the most important weapons against this disease is information, which can help people deal better with this dreaded disease.

By Jennifer Bailey

leukemia symptoms : Chemotherapy

2006-08-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

Patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) usually receive chemotherapy drugs as soon as possible after diagnosis. Chemotherapy uses strong cancer drugs to kill leukemia cells. This first stage of treatment is called induction therapy. The goal is to achieve remission (no signs of leukemia cells) and to restore normal blood production.

Common chemotherapy drugs given during induction therapy include daunorubicin, doxorubicin, and cytarabine. These cancer drugs kill the leukemia cells by stopping them from growing. Unfortunately, chemotherapy also kills normal cells, so AML patients receiving induction therapy may have side effects including nausea, tiredness, and higher risk of infections.

For most patients, induction therapy brings back normal blood cell production within a few weeks, and microscopic examinations of their blood and marrow samples show no signs of leukemia cells. When this happens, the disease is in remission. At this point, several long-term treatment choices may be considered. These include further chemotherapy or a blood stem cell transplant.

by Nielsen Technical Services

leukemia symptoms : Information

2006-08-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

Leukemia Cancer Overview

This website was created to help leukemia / blood cancer patients and their families and friends with up-to-date information about leukemia and more specifically about acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). We have the latest information on leukemia, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. We have also gathered vital information on coping with the personal and financial effects of leukemia, which may be difficult to deal with without the proper preparation.

Leukemia is cancer that originates in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy inner portion of certain bones, and in which the malignant cells are white blood cells (leukocytes). Acute myelogenous leukemia is a malignancy that arises in either granulocytes or monocytes which are white blood cells that battle infectious agents throughout the body.

Although the exact cause of AML is unknown, exposure to benzene and cigarettes smoking are linked to the disease. AML occurs in all ages but more often in older adults. With more than 10,000 new luekemia cases diagnosed annually, AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. Other types of leukemia are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) and hairy cell leukemia (HCL).

The onset of AML is usually slow, and there are different leukemia symptoms depending on whether there is a deficiency of red cells, white cells or platelets.

As the disease progresses rapidly, it is very important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. The Treatment Options section describes the different types of treatments such as chemotherapy, as well as has clinical trial information. In our Medical Financial Aid and Assistance section, we discuss how patients and their families may be helped with medical bills and financial concerns.

Because some leukemias are linked to benzene exposure, see our At Risk Jobs and Benzene Exposure section to find out if you or a loved one has worked in a job associated with benzene poisoning.

by Nielsen Technical Services

leukemia symptoms : Vitamin B-12 for Mental Acuity

2006-08-08T21:47:00.000-07:00

Vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin) has been known as the energizer. A water-soluble vitamin is unique in being the first cobalt-containing substance found to be essential for longevity. Cobalt is an essential mineral and is an integral part of vitamin B-12. It is necessary for the normal functioning and maintenance of red blood cells as well as all other body cells.

Vitamin B-12 and Folic Acid have been helpful in treating anxiety and has a calming effect on insomniacs. Folic Acid protects against cancer and benefits arthritis and anemia.

Vitamin B-12 aids in preventing pallor, fatigue, lack of energy and forgetfulness. Increases capillary blood flow and vision. Good for the blood flow to the heart and aids in the absorption of other vitamins.

Vitamin B-12 will assist is eliminating mental fatigue and confusion, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, angina pectoris, diabetes, hypoglycemia, epilepsy multiple sclerosis, neuritis, neuropsychiatric disorders, vertigo, leg paralysis, bruises, muscular dystrophy, cold sores, shingles, psoriasis, hangovers, leukemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, overweight and obesity, tobacco amblyopia, ulcers, gastritis, asthma, tuberculosis, allergies, worms, degenerative joint disease, rheumatoid arthritis.

Lack of vitamin B-12 has been found to cause a type of brain damage resembling schizophrenia. The brain damage may be detected by the following symptoms: numbness or a feeling of deadness in an extremity, sore mouth, stiffness, shooting pain, hot or cold, needles and pins tingle sensations.

Vitamin B-12 Deficiency symptoms may vary in severe or mild forms of mood disorders, mental slowness and loss of memory to severe psychotic symptoms, nervousness, neuritis, unpleasant body odor and menstrual disturbances. If a deficiency is not detected in early stages, it may result in permanent mental deterioration and/or paralysis.

It is a well known fact that a total Vegetarian Diet (Vegan) is lacking the essential vitamin B-12. Therefore, a person on a Vegan Diet should take one 50 microgram of B-12 once per week. If you consider a Vegan Diet for the purpose of Weight Loss you may reconsider your choices and review the 12 Healthy Herbs for Safe Weight Loss. A Natural Cleanser will also supply you with essential nutrients and aid in Weight Loss on a continuous healthy level.

This simple source of vitamin B-12 may be found in this Herbal Combination: Alfalfa, Chlorophyll, Don Quai, Kelp and Comfrey. This will enhance Mental Acuity and supply the needed nutrients to help prevent deficiencies from the lack of eating meat.

Capsulated Formula

Alfalfa: Contains eight digestive enzymes and eight essential amino acids. Use equal parts in addition with Don Quai, Kelp and Chlorophyll. Rich in Vitamin U for peptic ulcers. Athletes use this Herb for Endurance and Energy.

Chlorophyll: High in Calcium and Iron. Liquid form take one capful once a day.

Don Quai: Gives nourishment to the brain cells. High in Vitamin E and B-12. Acts as a mild laxative as it lubricates the intestines. Helps eliminate dry skin problems by moistening and softening the skin.

Kelp: High in Iodine. Iodine assists the thyroid to help them do their job more efficiently. Especially good for the Pituitary and Adrenal Glands. Contains: Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin G, Calcium, Chlorine, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium; Selenium, Silicon, Sodium, Sulfur, Zinc, Trace Minerals.

Comfrey: Take in tablet form or in capsules, three pills three times a day. Use in place of the above formula or in addition if already deficient. Use in ten day increments resting seven days in between.

Food Sources

Folic Acid is needed with B-12 and may be found in: Orange Juice, Asparagus, Spinach, Turnip Greens, Avocado, Brussels Sprouts, Lima Beans, Soy Beans, Kidney Beans, White Beans, Root Vegetables, Whole Grains, Wheat Germ, Bulgur Wheat, Oysters, Salmon, Milk, Brewers Yeast, Organ Meat and Chicken Livers.

Cobalt may be found in high sources: meats, especially kidney and liver, oysters, beet greens, buckwheat, figs, lettuce, cabbage, watercress, clams, milk and spinach.

Vitamin B-12 may be found in: beef, cheese, eggs, fish, clams, milk and milk products. Vitamin B-12 may be stored in the intestines for many years and the reabsorption from the intestines is quite efficient.

A healthy diet of well balanced food choices will supply the needed amounts of Vitamin B-12 and Folic Acid but in most cases we do not consume the healthiest of food products therefore, the above formula will be most beneficial in making Healthy Choices for A Healthy and Happy Life.

By Gloria Ruffell

leukemia symptoms : General Aspects of Leukemia

2006-08-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

Many people suffer from leukemia these days. A large number of cases of cancer are identified to be leukemia. Leukemia is a sort of cancer of the blood and marrow. The disease is characterized through the overproducing of immature blood cells (stem cells) that aren’t able to fully develop and to carry out the activities of normal blood cells.

According to their functions and structure, there are three different types of cells within the normal blood: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Through the process of hematopoiesis, these three types of blood cells are developed from a distinctive type of blood cell called stem cell. Stem cells divide and go through several stages of development to finally form a mature blood cell of a particular type, with a certain, distinctive function in the body. The process through which a stem cell morphs into a mature blood cell takes place within the bone marrow.

According to the speed of development and the persistence of the disorder, there are two types of leukemia: acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia is known to develop very rapidly, while chronic leukemia is developed slowly. According to the types of blood cells affected by the disease, leukemia can either be lymphocytic or myelogenous.

Lymphocytic and myelogenous types of leukemia are developed from different types of cells: the lymphocytic type of leukemia develops from cells called lymphoblasts or lymphocytes in the spongious tissue of the bones, while the myelogenous type of leukemia (sometimes refered to as myeloid and myelocytic leukemia) develops from myeloid cells.

In the case of acute forms of leukemia, the abnormal cells come from early, immature cells. Such forms of the disorder have a very fast rate of development, due to the fact that normal stem cells tend to multiply frequently. Leukemia cells usually don’t divide faster and more frequently than normal stem cells, they simply don’t stop their process of division when they should. Sometimes the numbers of white blood cells are very high, while in other cases they can be normal or low.

Chronic leukemia, apart from its slow development, is different from acute leukemia by the level of maturation that the diseased cells are able to reach. Stem cells affected by chronic leukemia reach a higher level of maturation but they present abnormalities and they can’t act as healthy white blood cells do. Unlike acute leukemia, in the chronic form of the disease the unhealthy cells have much longer periods of life and they tend to accumulate in different parts of the body.

Leukemia affects people of all age groups. While children usually respond better to the treatment for leukemia and sometimes deal well with the disease, adults difficultly cope with this form of cancer.

Regardless of age and sex, many people are diagnosed with forms of leukemia. Children tend to respond better to some types of leukemia, while adults difficultly cope with the disease. The cases of acute leukemia exceed those of chronic leukemia by approximately 10 percent. Older adults seem to be affected the most by acute leukemia. Around two thirds of acute leukemia cases seem to occur after the age of 60.

By Groshan Fabiola

leukemia symptoms : Particularities of Different Types of Leukemia

2006-08-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is a form of cancer that occurs at the level of the spinal marrow. Inside the spinal marrow there is a type of immature blood cells that are called stem cells. These cells have a neutral initial state and later develop into different types of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets). Leukemia interferes in the normal process of cell maturation, leading to an accumulation of partially developed blood cells in the marrow, blood and later in body organs. Most of these resulted cells are inefficient inside the organism, as they can’t carry out the activity of normal blood cells.

Depending on to the rate of development, the disease can either be acute leukemia (developing very rapidly), or chronic leukemia (slow developing).

Particular to acute leukemia is the inability of stem cells (immature cells that can be found within the bone marrow) to reach the state of maturity. These immature blood cells tend to continuously divide and they accumulate in the bloodstream. Acute leukemia develops very rapidly and people who suffer from it need immediate treatment and specific therapy. If mistreated or ignored, acute leukemia causes the death of affected patients within a few months. While certain forms of acute leukemia are usually successfully treated, other forms don’t respond well to the specific treatment.

A characteristic of the chronic type of leukemia is that the diseased cells usually come from more mature cells, but in most cases they aren’t developed normally. The leukemia cells have long periods of life and they tend to accumulate within the bloodstream. Although normal people have between 5000 and 10000 white blood cells in their body, people who suffer from chronic leukemia may have more than 100000.

Lymphocytic and myelogenous types of leukemia are developed from different types of cells: the lymphocytic type of leukemia develops from cells called lymphoblasts or lymphocytes in the spongious tissue of the bones, while the myelogenous type of leukemia (sometimes refered to as myeloid and myelocytic leukemia) develops from myeloid cells. Judging by the types of cells involved in the development of leukemia and by the rate of cellular division specific to each form of the disease, the main types of leukemia are: acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

In addition to the common forms of chronic leukemia, there are also some rare types. Hairy cell leukemia (HCL), just like chronic lymphocytic leukemia, has a slow progression. The cells of hairy cell leukemia are different from other diseased cells mainly through their aspect. Hairy cell leukemia doesn’t usually respond well to treatment. Prolymphocytic leukemia is a very rare and unusual form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Some cancers, called lymphomas, are caused by abnormal blood cells that are present in the lymph nodes, liver, spleen or other organs. These particular types of cancer don’t occur at the levels of the bone marrow and have a development that is not characteristic to most forms of lymphocytic leukemia.

By Groshan Fabiola

leukemia symptoms :Possible Leukemia Causes and Risk Factors

2006-08-02T20:44:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is a disease that is considered to be life-threatening. It requires prompt intervention when discovered, in order to maximize the chances of recovering through specific treatment and therapy. Leukemia is basically a type of cancer of the bone marrow and blood, caused by inappropriate cellular activity. The disease can be of different forms, according to the types of blood cells that cause its development. Also, if leukemia is developing rapidly, it is called acute leukemia, while if the disease is developing slowly, it is referred to as chronic leukemia.

The direct leukemia causes are still unknown. In present, medical science isn’t able to establish the specific leukemia disease causes. However, a strong connection between certain genetic factors and the development of the disease has been revealed. Leukemia occurs on the background of genetic failure that causes the excessive production of incomplete, partially matured blood cells. Also, leukemia has a hereditary character, allowing the transmission of genetic predispositions to disease from one generation to another. Although many factors are known to contribute to the development of leukemia, they alone can’t be considered leukemia causes.

Despite the fact that statistics indicate a higher incidence of the disease in people that are exposed to some environmental factors of risk, leukemia doesn’t seem to be caused by neither of them in particular. Among the environmental factors that are thought to be leukemia causes, here are some of the most plausible ones:

- Smoking – smoking is thought to increase the chances of being affected by leukemia. Although statistics show that around 20 percent of acute leukemia cases are related to smoking, leukemia also occurs to people that don’t smoke and therefore it can’t be considered a leukemia cause on itself;

- Prolonged exposure to radiation – Radiation is considered to facilitate the development of leukemia. It is believed that exposure to X-rays can be a leukemia cause;

- Prolonged exposure to benzene – statistics reveal that this is a major factor of risk in some forms of leukemia, such as myelogenous leukemia;

- Chemotherapy and cancer treatment – previous cancer treatments and chemotherapy are known to facilitate the occurrence and development of leukemia and can be considered plausible leukemia causes. Within a few years from the completion of chemotherapy and other treatments for certain forms of cancer, most people can develop leukemia.

Among the genetic factors that are considered to be leukemia causes, the following ones are thought to be the most important:

- chromosome abnormalities – some rare genetic syndromes are known to contribute to leukemia causes;

- Immune system genetic problems - a weak immune system is very likely to facilitate the occurrence of leukemia and therefore can be considered a leukemia cause;

- Down syndrome – children born with this syndrome have a very high risk of developing acute leukemia.

The list of possible leukemia causes can continue further, but these are the most common factors that are considered to be interrelated with leukemia. While some of them can be prevented, others reside within the genes and in present can’t be corrected. In future, however, thanks to medical advance, we will probably be able to prevent leukemia and other forms of cancer.

By Groshan Fabiola

leukemia symptoms : The Benefits of Green Tea for Cancer and Leukemia

2006-07-31T01:17:00.000-07:00

Green tea has long had many health benefits associated with it and its curative properties have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

Green tea, black tea and oolong tea are all made with the leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves and is reputed to contain the highest concentration of polyphenols, chemicals that act as powerful antioxidants. The more the leaves are fermented, the lower the polyphenol content and the higher the caffeine content. Tea polyphenols are classified as catechins and green tea contains six primary catechin compounds: catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate (also known as EGCG). EGCG is considered to be the most active component in green tea and is the best researched of all the green tea polyphenols.

Several studies have suggested that green tea and green tea extract have cancer-fighting abilities, possibly because the tea's concentration of antioxidants such as EGCG help minimize the cell damage that can lead to cancer.

A recent study conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota has demonstrated the benefits of green tea in adult sufferers of leukemia. EGCG (the key antioxidant in green tea) has been shown to kill cancer cells taken from leukaemia patients and put in a test tube.

Doctors at the clinic reported that four patients had started using green tea on their own last year, after hearing media reports about its health benefits. All four patients had CLL (http://hammeranvil.blogspot.com/
). In the months after they started drinking green tea or taking green tea extracts, three of them showed measurable improvements in their condition. The fourth patient who did not show an improvement in her cancer overall, still exhibited an increase in her white blood cell count.

In one case, a patient had been showing progressive swelling in her lymph nodes before she starting taking green tea capsules twice a day. Swelling of the lymph nodes is one of the characteristic symptoms of CLL. However, over the next year the patient’s lymph nodes steadily reduced in size.

Other research has come up with an explanation for why regular green tea drinkers have a low incidence of gastric and oesophageal cancers. Researchers have found that EGCG, the anti-cancer compound in green tea, works in a similar way to the anti-cancer drug methotrexate. Both work by blocking the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, which is essential to the growth of tumour cells. However, the benefit of EGCG over methotrexate is that it has far fewer side effects.

The same study also showed that blocking the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme lowers folic acid levels. This side effect could explain the increased risk of birth defects and explains why some studies suggest green tea increases the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida. However, in a study conducted at Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California in Oakland, researchers found that women who drank more than one half cup of caffeinated green tea every day doubled their odds of conceiving. Women seeking to conceive or who are already pregnant are advised to consult their medical practitioner about the risks associated with drinking green tea.

The author gave up drinking coffee several years ago and has been tasting and researching the benefits of green tea and herbal teas ever since. He writes for http://www.tealeafmagic.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Galloway

leukemia symptoms : Understanding Chronic Leukemia

2006-07-31T01:13:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is a disease of the blood and bone marrow that occurs on the background of genetic predispositions to cancer. Leukemia affects the cellular process of maturation, causing the accumulation of immature blood cells in the spinal marrow and bloodstream. In some cases leukemia causes the incomplete cells to multiply very quickly, while in other cases the abnormal blood cells have prolonged periods of life and persist in different places inside the body. Incomplete blood cells can’t substitute for normal blood cells, as they can’t carry out their roles. The cells affected by leukemia are therefore incompatible with the organism and can cause serious damage.

Judging by the speed of development and the persistence of the disorder, there are two types of leukemia: acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Judging by the types of stem cells affected by the disorder, leukemia can either be lymphocytic or myelogenous.

Acute leukemia is different from chronic leukemia by the levels that stem cells are able to reach in their development (stem cells that present anomalies still manage to partially develop and either resemble immature cells or complete, normal white blood cells).

Acute leukemia is a form of cancer that develops very rapidly. It is manifested through overpopulation of the blood with immature cells that are unable to fulfill the functions of normal blood cells. In the case of acute leukemia, the marrow is unable to produce normal quantities of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Patients who suffer from leukemia also develop anemia, a deficiency of normal red blood cells. Also, a decreased number of white blood cells reduces the body’s ability of overcoming infections, while the lack of platelets facilitates inflammation and bleeding.

Chronic leukemia tends to develop slower than acute leukemia. In the case of chronic leukemia, the body is able to produce blood cells that are more mature than those produced in acute leukemia. Although these cells may appear incomplete, they can’t fulfill their roles inside the organism and tend to cluster at different levels of the body. They also have a longer period of life.

Chronic leukemia of lymphocytic form is known to affect a type of blood cell called B lymphocyte. The disease weakens the immune system, interferes in the normal activity of the spinal marrow and facilitates the access of harmful cells to body organs. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia first occurs at the levels of the bone marrow, but can quickly spread to different organs and tissue through the bloodstream.

The presence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is usually revealed by blood tests and careful body examination. Although apparently some people may have no symptoms of the disease, other patients may experience fatigue, lack of concentration, poor balance, memory loss, deterioration of vision and hearing, vertigos, body weakness, joint and bone pains. Just like in other forms of the disease, chronic leukemia requires immediate specific treatment and therapy. The chances of fully overcoming the disease are considerably enhanced if it is discovered quickly.

If you want to find great content on different leukemia related issues like chronic leukemia, acute leukemia and many more visit http://www.leukemia-guide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Groshan_Fabiola

leukemia symptoms : Benzene and Leukemia Information

2006-07-29T00:57:00.000-07:00

Benzene Leukemia Exposure

Benzene exposure has been linked in numerous studies to causing leukemia. Exposure to benzene and the development of leukemia or benzene related leukemia have been highly publicized over the recent years. Statistcs are showing that there are approximatly, 10,000 benzene related leukemia deaths per year in the US alone.

Benzene Information

Benzene is a known carcinogen in humans and causes benzene related cancer. Breathing benzene vapors may cause immediate death and other exposures to the chemical have been linked to various forms of leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

Interesting Benzene Leukemia Facts

1. The use of benzene as a solvent was banned in the United States more then 20 years ago.

2. Benzene ranks # 6 on the CERCLA Hazerdous Substance List.

3. Almost 300,000 people per year are exposed to benzene in the workplace.

Benzene Leukemia Side Effects

Benzene is a known carcinogen in humans and causes benzene related cancer. Breathing benzene vapors may cause immediate death and other exposures to the chemical have been linked to various forms of leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

Acute Benzene Side Effects

Acute (short-term) exposure will commonly be associated with the following benzene side effects:

1. Irritation of the eyes and skin
2. Irritation of the nose and throat
3. Dizziness and lightheadedness
4. Headache and vomiting
5. Convulsions and coma
6. Rapid heart beat
7. Sudden death

Chronic Benzene Side Effects

Chronic (long-term) exposure will commonly be associated with the following benzene side effects:

1. Benzene Cancer
2. Leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
3. Reproductive harm (teratogen - an agent that can cause malformations of an embryo or fetus)
4. Drying and scaling of the skin
5. Damage to blood cells? aplastic anemia

Is there a medical test to show whether I have been exposed to benzene?

Several tests can show if you have been exposed to benzene. There is test for measuring benzene in the breath; this test must be done shortly after exposure. Benzene can also be measured in the blood, however, since benzene disappears rapidly from the blood, measurements are accurate only for recent exposures.

In the body, benzene is converted to products called metabolites. Certain metabolites can be measured in the urine. However, this test must be done shortly after exposure and is not a reliable indicator of how much benzene you have been exposed to, since the metabolites may be present in urine from other sources.

Other Benzene Leukemia Resources

If you or a family member have been diagnosed with benzene related leukemia there are many helpful resources on the Internet. Most notably, The Leukemia Society and The Benzene Leukemia Orginization.

http://www.leukemia.org
http://www.benzene-leukemia.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Hilley

leukemia symptoms : Natural Progesterone

2006-07-29T00:51:00.000-07:00

Natural Progesterone is derived from natural sources, such as plants. Many health food stores and Internet sites sell Natural Progesterone compounds, or plants they are derived from such as wild yams, soy and fenugreek, with various claims to reduce menopausal symptoms. However, Progesterone from these plants is actually in a precursor form called diosgenin. It needs to be metabolized into active Progesterone before it exerts any of its hormonal effects. Human beings are unable to convert diosgenin into active progesterone. However, this conversion can take place in the laboratory, and the resulting active compound is still marketed as natural progesterone.

It is thought that ‘Natural’ Progesterone, or plant-derived diosgenin that is activated in a laboratory, is safer than synthetically produced Progesterone compounds. These synthetic compounds may interfere with steroid hormone production and with glucose metabolism.

Current scientific knowledge suggests Natural Progesterone is ineffective for its most widely prescribed use- treatment of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. The sale of Natural Progesterone compounds is unregulated, which also raises concerns about standardization, contamination and safety. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women share the details of any natural treatments they are taking with their physician. This can help a physician monitor their patient for side effects, including toxicity, and avoid prescribing other treatments that may lead to adverse interactions.

Diosgenin itself may have some potential uses to treat other conditions in the future. Recent laboratory research suggests that diosgenin may inhibit the growth of certain cells, lining joint cavities in humans, which are associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Other research suggests diosgenin may have a protective effect by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells involved in colon cancer, some types of human leukemia, and a bone cancer called osteosarcoma. While promising, these findings are the subject of additional research and do not prove that diosgenin is indeed beneficial in treating these conditions.

Progesterone provides detailed information about progesterone, natural progesterone, progesterone benefit, progesterone creams and more. Progesterone is the sister site of Colostrum Milk.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Stith

leukemia symptoms : What You Need to Know About

2006-07-27T00:27:00.000-07:00

Cancer in any form is a deadly disease. But when it affects the most vital components of the body then their fatality increases manifold. One such type of cancer is cancer of the blood, technically known as leukemia. Blood is the most important tissue of the body. It is the connective tissue which carries and supplies oxygen and other vital elements to the remotest parts of the body. The importance of blood can be understood by the fact that it is the most important of all the connective tissues which provide the nutrients and other vital elements to the body.

The most dangerous feature of leukemia is that it is related to the blood which has access to almost all body organs including the all important brain and heart. The incidence of cancerous cells being carried to the different parts of the body increases drastically due to this fact. Another striking aspect of the blood cancer is that it affects the leukocytes or the “white blood corpuscles” of the blood. These are the ones that protect the body from external infections. Thus the immunity of the body is seen to decrease drastically due to leukemia. The main effect of the disease is that the body starts producing infected and abnormal cells that hinder the function of blood i.e. carrying of oxygen.

A patient suffering from leukemia is seen to loose weight due to anemia. This happens because the cancerous cells are unable to carry the hemoglobin properly which is the chief source of iron to the body. And due to that the body looses all vitality. The situation of the patient becomes vulnerable because the brain also starts to dysfunction due to infected blood. Headache, night sweats etc. can be commonly seen to occur as an attachment to this deadly disease.

The people living in areas prone to radioactive waste disposal and activity are most common targets of leukemia. Overexposure to radioactivity causes the cells to mutate and function abnormally. The children who are diagnosed with Down syndrome have a high probability to develop leukemia. Over exposure to Benzene, the industrially important hydrocarbon is also a known cause of blood cancer. The abnormal cells are easily detected under the microscope. Thus the doctor suspicious of such a disease advises the patient for a bone marrow examination. The onset can be detected by the swollen lymph nodes of the body which are commonly found in armpits, around the neck and at the thigh.

Chemotherapy is the most effective but a very painful way of killing the cancerous cells. The patient is subjected to drugs orally. The patient undergoes tremendous pressure as he is injected with lot many chemicals at a time. Another treatment is through the radiation. It is also very treacherous way of getting treated. The patients are seen to loose hair and texture of skin.

Leukemia though very dangerous is still curable and the research in the field is also being done on an extensive basis. Proper treatment at the right time can prevent the reflux of this disease. Methods like bone marrow transplant, which may be required at a later stage, are also effective in treating the patient. Above all to over come with the disease a person needs to be loved and supported by all. Leukemia is fatal disease but life is mightier then it.

Mansi aggarwal writes about leukemia. Learn more at http://www.leukemiacorner.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mansi_Aggarwal

leukemia symptoms : Benzene Exposure Can Lead to Acute Myleogenous Leukemia

2006-07-27T00:21:00.000-07:00

Over the past 60 years, oil workers have been known to have an alarming degree of leukemia diagnoses. Although it had often been cited as being a genetic problem, recent studies have shown that even minor exposure to this chemical dramatically increases the chance of contracting any of a number of cancers.

Acute myelogenous leukemia is an extremely rare form of cancer. However, many petroleum industry workers have developed it. Other individuals who are at risk are printing press operators, airplane mechanics and soda production workers.

The reason these professions are particularly at risk is because of the common use of benzene as a solvent for oil based products. If one uses benzene to remove oil however, it is commonly absorbed through the skin and brought into the body.

The other common diseases contracted through occupational benzene exposure are chronic lymphocytic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and non-hodgkins lymphoma.

There are thousands of lawsuits pending in state and federal court regarding benzene side-effects. There is a wealth of information regarding benzene to be found on the internet. In order to find a benzene specialist, the internet provides many directories of benzene lawyers. Often, information and medical testing will be provided for free by law firms handling these cases. When evaluating an attorney to handle a case, it is very important to ask specific questions about their experience. The vast majority of cases are filed by a small handful of law firms who focus their practice on prosecution of these claims.

Gary Plunkett is currently working with many patients who have developed these diseases to help gain compensation for their losses.

For information regarding the chemical benzene, go to:

http://www.benzene.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Plunkett

leukemia symptoms : Leukemia and What Online Writers Can Do to Help

2006-07-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

They say that the pen is mightier than the sword and indeed it is. Now then is the keyboard and word processor mightier than cancer? It very well could be and this is why I would ask that all online article writers put in a good word for those who do research and are working on ways to cure leukemia. In fact with the right level of funding mankind could solve this problem within perhaps a decade or two.

If you have a skill of any kind shouldn’t you use it to help the common good? Shouldn’t we all work to promote the common good and remove those things, which challenge our civilization and people? We are all here for a reason and yet while we are here we can do so much more.

On one online article website there are nearly 30,000 authors, but what if everyone of them wrote one article on Leukemia next week for public awareness, then we might be able to leverage the power of the people or the power of the online writers to do some good in the World.

What would it take for you to write one more article for a special cause? Why not pick 4 special causes each month and simply write on them. That is only one per week, it will not impact your life, but it could make the difference in someone else’s. Do you see what I am writing about? Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

leukemia symptoms : How Is Leukemia Treated?

2006-07-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. There are two types of leukemia, chronic and acute, which are treated differently and have different symptoms. Acute leukemia rapidly progresses and needs immediate, aggressive treatment. Chronic leukemia can take months or years to show symptoms and may not need immediate treatment but will require ongoing monitoring.

Chemotherapy utilizes chemicals to treat the cancer. It causes many side effects such as hair loss, nausea and decline of the immune system. The complete course of therapy can be from two to five years including maintenance. This is the most common form of treatment for leukemia with the desired result being total remission. Even without symptoms, ongoing monitoring must occur to guard against relapse.

Radiation therapy is another form of treatment. It is painless and in low doses causes very few side effects. Where the radiation is concentrated and the exposure levels will determine the side effects, if any, and the severity of them. Damage to the skin, swelling and infertility are among the possible side effects.

A bone marrow transplant is an effective way to prolong the life of cancer patients. It is, however, a risky surgery and requires a donor which can be difficult in attaining. These surgeries should be performed at state of the art hospitals specializing in cancer treatment. This surgery has a high mortality rate and is therefore used only in life threatening cases.

Immunotherapy is a means to stimulate the immune system so the body can attack the cancer cells. This type of treatment is still in its early stages and continually under development. It is believed that this type of treatment may prove less harmful than chemotherapy or radiation therapy and may someday supplant these treatments as a method for treating cancer.

Long term effects of leukemia treatments may cause anemia. This side effect can be treated by blood transfusions or platelet transfusions. There are risks with transfusions but it is believed transfusions will help reduce the threat of additional complications such as heart attacks. Doses of antibiotics are also generally prescribed to leukemia patients to help counteract the danger of infection cause by declined immune system or treatment side effects.

There are currently almost 200,000 people in the United States diagnosed with leukemia and an estimated 35,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year. It is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 20. There are many treatment facilities throughout the United States specializing in cancer treatment. Early diagnosis, aggressive treatment, and monitoring will help prolong life and increase chances of a person going into remission.

About The Author
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for http://www.leukemiaclinical.com. To learn more about leukemia, visit http://www.leukemiaclinical.com/acutemyeloidleukemia/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gray_Rollins

leukemia symptoms : No link between leukemia risk and nuclear plants

2006-07-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

Children living near nuclear plants in France do not have an increased risk of leukemia, a new study confirms.
Most studies that have examined cancer risk near nuclear installations have looked only at how far a child lives from the plant, Dr. Jacqueline Clavel of Universite Paris Sud, Villejuif and colleagues note, assuming that the greater the distance, the lower the radiation exposure. However, radiation dispersion follows a more complex pattern, they note.

To get a more accurate picture of the risk, Clavel and her team divided regions around each of 23 different French nuclear plants into five zones based on radiation exposure to the red bone marrow (RBM) due to gaseous discharge from the plant. They evaluated the rate of leukemia diagnoses among children younger than 15 years old between 1990 and 2001 over 40 square kilometers around each plant.

A total of 750 cases of leukemia were diagnosed, slightly lower than the 795 cases that would have been expected, although the difference was not statistically significant. The researchers also found no evidence of an increased risk that correlated with increased radiation exposure.

The average radiation exposure from gaseous discharge was very low, a small fraction of the estimated exposure from natural sources of ionizing radiation, such as radon, or from medical tests, such as X-ray imaging.

The average RBM dose from gaseous radioactive discharge among children who lived in the vicinity of nuclear plants was about 1,000 to 10,000 times lower than the average RBM dose from natural sources, Clavel and her colleagues report.

They conclude that there was no evidence of an increase in the rate of childhood leukemia in the vicinity of these 23 French nuclear plants between 1990 and 2001.

SOURCE: British Journal of Cancer, May 8, 2004.

leukemia symptoms : leukemia drug MabCampath promising

2006-07-18T22:43:00.000-07:00

German drugmaker Schering AG and U.S. biotech firm Genzyme Corp have seen good preliminary results in a study of the drug MabCampath to treat leukemia, Schering said in a statement.
Schering and Genzyme are co-developing MabCampath (alemtuzumab), which is marketed in the United States as Campath, for use against cancer and other diseases.

The drug is already approved to treat a type of blood cancer and the two companies are now studying it in a phase III trial of previously untreated patients with progressive B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

"Patients who received the monoclonal antibody MabCampath exhibited significantly higher overall and complete response rates, with a manageable safety profile," than those treated with comparison drug chlorambucil, Schering said in a statement late on Saturday.

The interim results of the trial showed a nearly 30 percent greater overall response rate among patients treated with MabCampath than chlorambucil, it added.

Schering holds the worldwide marketing and distribution rights to the product, which is marketed in the U.S. by Schering affiliate Berlex Laboratories.

"Once the final data from the study's primary endpoint of progression-free survival are available, Genzyme and Berlex expect to file an application seeking to expand the product's current label to include previously untreated B-CLL patients who require therapy," Schering said.

The trial involves 297 previously untreated patients with progressive disease at 44 medical centers in Europe and the United States, it added.

The most common side effects in the trial so far were fever, rigors, nausea, abnormally low blood pressure and vomiting.

Serious adverse events related to treatment occurred in 25 percent of MabCampath patients and 6 percent of patients on chlorambucil.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most prevalent form of adult leukemia, affecting approximately 120,000 people in Europe and the United States. The disease is most commonly diagnosed among people age 50 or older, Schering said.

by German drugmaker Schering AG

leukemia symptoms : Clinical Features in Rai & Binet Staging

2006-07-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

Lymphocytosis = high numbers of lymphocytes
Lymphadenopathy = lymphatic disease
Hepatomegaly = enlarged liver
Splenomegaly = enlarged spleen

There are a few more types and subtypes of chronic leukemia, the most notable of which are hairy cell leukemia, prolymphocytic leukemia, T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL), like CLL, is a slow-growing lymphocytic cancer. It is distinguished by its appearance under the microscope, because the lymphocytes have many fine, "hairy" projections from their surfaces. HCL is typically a disease of middle-aged males. Most individuals report nonspecific symptoms that are partially caused by anemia. Yet HCL differs from CLL with respect management.

Both prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) and T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (T-CLL; also known as large granular lymphocyte leukemia, or LGL) are unusual forms of CLL. They are very rare, and account for only about 1% of all CLL cases. PLL, like CLL, is mostly seen in men. More than half of the cells in PLL are prolymphocytes, which are larger than CLL cells and have less condensed genetic material. T-CLL results from the reproduction of cells that resemble normal large granular lymphocytes. PLL and T-CLL are more aggressive in nature than other forms of CLL, and they are less likely to respond to treatment.

There is some dispute about the categorization of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Some groups consider CMML to be a "pre-leukemia," or "myelodysplastic syndrome," rather than a malignant disorder. It is a disease that is found in older individuals. Patients may be asymptomatic (without symptoms) and be diagnosed accidentally, or they may have symptoms of tiredness, bruising and/or abdominal discomfort from an enlarged spleen. CMML may be inactive, or it may progress slowly over months and years. CMML eventually transforms into an acute, usually fatal form of leukemia.

by Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All rights reserved.

leukemia symptoms : Staging

2006-07-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

Most cancer patients are assigned a clinical "stage" after undergoing a diagnostic work-up. American physicians often use the four-stage TNM system - a classification system developed and recently revised by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC; International Union Against Cancer). According to this system, staging is based on the size of the tumor and how far it has spread from its original location in the body.

Because leukemia starts in the bone marrow and often has spread to other organs by the time it is detected, there is no need for traditional staging. Instead, physicians rely upon cytologic (cellular) classification systems to identify the type and subtype of leukemia. Cell classification systems, in turn, help to predict the prognosis, or outcome, of specific forms of leukemia and the likely response to treatment.

The most popular classification method for acute leukemia is the French-American-British (FAB) system. According to FAB classification, acute leukemia is divided into eight subtypes of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and three subtypes of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) (see Types of Leukemia). FAB originally was based upon the microscopic appearance of leukemia cells; however, in recent years, researchers have discovered that cellular characteristics such as genetic make-up and numbers of specific cell types help to classify leukemia and predict its outcome.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is classified by one of two cytologic staging systems, which known as Rai Classification and Binet Staging, respectively.
Rai Classification
Rai Classificationseparates chronic lymphocytic leukemia into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories, which correspond with stages 0, I & II, and III & IV, respectively:

Rai Stage 0 patients are low risk and have lymphocytosis, a high lymphocyte count defined as more than 15,000 lymphocytes per cubic millimeter (> 15,000 /mm3).

Rai Stage I patients are intermediate risk and have lymphocytosis plus enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy).

Rai Stage II patients are also intermediate risk but have lymphocytosis plus an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) or enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), with or without lymphadenopathy.

Rai Stage III patients are high-risk and have lymphocytosis plus anemia, a low red blood cell count (hemoglobin < 11 g/dL), with or without lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, or splenomegaly.

Rai Stage IV patients are also high-risk but have lymphocytosis plus thrombocytopenia, a low number of blood platelets (< 100 Ž 103 /µL).
Binet Staging
Binet Staging classifies CLL according to the number of lymphoid tissues that are involved (i.e., the spleen and the lymph nodes of the neck, groin, and underarms), as well as the presence of low red blood cell count (anemia) or low number of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia): Binet Stage A patients have fewer than three areas of enlarged lymphoid tissue. Enlarged lymph nodes of the neck, underarms, and groin, as well as the spleen, are each considered "one group," whether unilateral (one-sided) or bilateral (on both sides).

Binet Stage B patients have more than three areas of enlarged lymphoid tissue

Binet Stage C patients have anemia plus thrombocytopenia (platelets <100 Ž 103 /µL).
One major advantage of the Binet system is its ability to highlight the splenic form of CLL, which may have a better prognosis than when classified by the Rai system.

by Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All rights reserved

leukemia symptoms : HK scientists uncover workings behind leukemia

2006-07-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

Scientists in Hong Kong believe they have uncovered the trigger for leukemia, a cancer of the blood that afflicts millions worldwide.
The findings could pave the way for the design of new drugs to combat the abnormal proliferation of white blood cells and might also lead to new treatments for other types of cancers.

Leukemia has been linked to infection by the Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1), which is contracted through sex, blood transfusions and breastfeeding.

More than 20 million people suffer from leukemia globally and it is especially prevalent in Japan.

In a study that began in 2000, researchers at the University of Hong Kong found that abnormal division of white blood cells took place when a foreign protein called TAX in the leukemia virus bound itself to a human protein which the same group of scientists identified for the first time in human cells.

That newly identified protein, called TAX1BP2, ensures proper cell division.

When the foreign protein started merging with the human protein, the scientists began to observe abnormal cell division.

"When they merge, the function of TAX1BP2 is disrupted ... and leads to the generation of abnormal numbers of chromosomes in daughter cells and is therefore thought to be a driving force in the development of cancer," said Wilson Ching, assistant professor of the University of Hong Kong's departments of pathology and biochemistry.

The group's findings were published in the journal Nature Cell Biology on June 11.

The researchers will see if their findings apply to other types of virus-linked cancers, such as liver cancer, which is believed to be linked to the hepatitis B virus, and nasopharyngeal cancer, linked to the Epstein-Barr virus.

The latter two cancers are endemic in southern China and Hong Kong. Up to 10 percent of Hong Kong's population were estimated to be carriers of hepatitis B just five years ago.

At least 15 percent of all human cancers are believed to be caused by viral infections.

The team's findings might also help pave the way for the design of new drugs to stop the foreign protein from disrupting normal cell division.

"We're thinking of a way to block or inhibit the binding of TAX to the human protein. If you can block this binding, then, it will stop this foreign protein from causing cancer," Ching said.

© Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

leukemia symptoms : Parents who smoke may raise child's leukemia risk

2006-07-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

The risk of leukemia in childhood appears to be increased when fathers smoke, even if the smoking occurs before conception, and with exposure to smoking after birth, researchers report in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Dr. Jeffrey S. Chang of the University of California, Berkeley and colleagues note that cigarette smoking has been linked to leukemia in adults, but the association in children has remained unclear.

To investigate further, the researchers conducted a study of 287 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 46 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 416 "control" children without leukemia.

Chang's group found that maternal smoking alone was not associated with an increased risk of either type of leukemia, but paternal smoking before conception increased the risk of AML by almost four times and a possible increased risk of ALL was suggested.

However, the investigators point out that the strong association with AML was based on data from only 16 cases and 8 controls.

The researchers also found that the risk of ALL was greater when paternal smoking before conception was combined with maternal smoking after birth and other passive smoking exposure.

The team notes that the public is aware of the detrimental effect of maternal smoking on the fetus. "The knowledge of a potentially harmful effect of paternal smoking exposure," they conclude, "may provide men with a stronger incentive to quit."

SOURCE: American Journal of Epidemiology, June 2006.

leukemia symptoms : Specific Skin Lesions

2006-07-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

definition
The cutaneous manifestations of leukaemia include primary, specific skin lesions resulting from direct infiltration of the skin and subcutaneous tissues by leukaemic cells. Examples are leukaemia cutis, granulocytic sarcomas, and extramedullary tumour masses. The papulonodular lesions of leukaemia cutis present as brown-red to violaceous, indurated dermal papules, plaques, or nodules. Early lesions may be macular. Other rare clinical presentations of leukaemia cutis include bullae, ulcerations, and erythroderma resulting from diffuse leukaemic infiltration of the skin. Granulocytic sarcomas are extramedullary masses of leukaemic cells that may be found in the facial sinus, orbit, paravertebral area, long bones and lymph nodes. Extramedullary tumour masses are neoplastic infiltrates that are histologically composed of monoblasts and which, unlike granulocytic sarcomas, are found only in the setting of active leukaemia.

http://dermis.multimedica.de/dermisroot/en/20371/diagnose.htm

leukemia symptoms : What is Leukemia?

2006-07-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is a type of cancer. Cancer is a group of more than 100 diseases that have two important things in common. One is that certain cells in the body become abnormal. Another is that the body keeps producing large numbers of these abnormal cells.

Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells. To understand leukemia information, it is helpful to know about normal blood cells and what happens to them when leukemia develops. Each year, nearly 27,000 adults and more than 2,000 children in the United States learn that they have leukemia.

The blood is made up of fluid called plasma and three types of cells. Each type has special functions.

White blood cells (also called WBCs or leukocytes) help the body fight infections and other diseases.

Red blood cells (also called RBCs or erythrocytes) carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and take carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. The red blood cells give blood its color.

Platelets (also called thrombocytes) help form blood clots that control bleeding.

Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy center of bones. New (immature) blood cells are called blasts. Some blasts stay in the marrow to mature. Some travel to other parts of the body to mature. Normally, blood cells are produced in an orderly, controlled way, as the body needs them. This process helps keep us healthy.

When leukemia develops, the body produces large numbers of abnormal blood cells. In most types of leukemia, the abnormal cells are white blood cells. The leukemia cells usually look different from normal blood cells, and they do not function properly.

Types of Leukemia
The types of leukemia are grouped by how quickly the disease develops and gets worse. There are two types of leukemia, chronic or acute. Chronic leukemia gets worse slowly while acute leukemia gets worse quickly:

Chronic leukemia — Early in the disease, the abnormal blood cells can still do their work, and people with chronic leukemia may not have any symptoms. Slowly, chronic leukemia gets worse. It causes symptoms as the number of leukemia cells in the blood rises.

Acute leukemia — The blood cells are very abnormal. They cannot carry out their normal work. The number of abnormal cells increases rapidly. Acute leukemia worsens quickly.

The types of leukemia are also grouped by the type of white blood cell that is affected. Leukemia can arise in lymphoid cells or myeloid cells. Leukemia that affects lymphoid cells is called lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia that affects myeloid cells is called myeloid leukemia or myelogenous leukemia.

There are four common types of leukemia:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (chronic lymphoblastic leukemia, CLL) accounts for about 7,000 new cases of leukemia each year. Most often, people diagnosed with this form of chronic leukemia are over age 55. It almost never affects children.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (chronic myelogenous leukemia, CML) accounts for about 4,400 new cases of leukemia each year. It affects mainly adults.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL) accounts for about 3,800 new cases of leukemia each year. It is the most common type of leukemia in young children. It also affects adults.

Acute myeloid leukemia (acute myelogenous leukemia, AML) accounts for about 10,600 new cases of leukemia each year. This type of acute leukemia occurs in both adults and children.

In addition, there are also other rare types of leukemia, including hairy cell leukemia. Together, all of these rare types of leukemia account for about 5,200 new cases of leukemia each year.

To learn more about the different types of leukemia, the treatment options available, possible symptoms to look for and much more, including our supportive message board, please take some time and explore our site.

© Copyright 2006, International Capital & Management Company, LLLP

leukemia symptoms : Medications

2006-07-03T02:04:00.000-07:00

Numerous chemotherapy and biological drug combinations may be prescribed by an oncologist. Which type and combination of therapy depends on many factors including the type and stage of leukemia, whether treating adult or childhood leukemia, ability to tolerate chemotherapy side effects, and if any previous treatment for the leukemia has occurred. Oncologists often work together regionally to decide which combination of chemotherapy and biological drugs are currently working best for their patients. Because of this, the drug combinations often vary and are able to change rapidly when improved results occur.

Copyright© 2003-2006 by WebMD.
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leukemia symptoms : Medical Treatment

2006-07-03T01:59:00.000-07:00

Leukemia treatment falls into 2 categories: treatment to fight the cancer and treatment to relieve the symptoms of the disease and the side effects of the treatment (supportive care).

The most widely used anti-leukemic treatment is chemotherapy, that is, the use of powerful drugs to kill leukemia cells.

Treatment usually involves combinations of chemotherapy.

Depending on the medication, therapy may be administered by vein or by mouth.

In some cases, chemotherapy can be given at the doctor's office or some may be taken at home; in other cases, the patient may have to stay in a hospital. This depends on which agents the patient is receiving along with his or her overall condition (sometimes measured in terms of "performance status").
Many people with leukemia have a semi-permanent intravenous (IV) line placed in the upper chest, near the shoulder.

A thin, plastic tube called a catheter is passed through the skin of the chest and inserted into a large vein. It is held in place, usually for the planned duration or therapy, with a few stitches, which makes it possible to use the same vein on numerous occasions without worry about the intravenous line being pulled out. The line is often burrowed under the skin.
People who have leukemia in their cerebrospinal fluid, or who are at high risk of having leukemic cells migrate to the spinal fluid, receive chemotherapy directly into the cerebrospinal canal. This is known as intrathecal chemotherapy.

Intrathecal chemotherapy is necessary because drugs given via IV do not sufficiently penetrate into the cerebrospinal fluid or brain and, thus, cannot kill leukemia cells there. Insufficient penetration of drugs into the cerebrospinal fluid results in uncontrolled growth of leukemic cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. Sometimes the therapy is inserted into a sac placed in one of the larger fluid-filled areas of the brain, a ventricle. The sac is known as an Ommaya reservoir, so named after its developer.

The reservoir stays in place for the duration of the treatment.
Chemotherapy kills cells or stops them from reproducing. Chemotherapy also kills rapidly growing healthy cells, accounting for many of the side effects of therapy.

The exact side effects depend on the particular agent or agents administered to the patient, and the severity of side effects depends on the doses given and the patient's tolerance.

Chemotherapy has its most severe effects on the bone marrow, the hair follicles, and the digestive system (from the mouth to the anus). These are the areas of the body where cells reproduce and replace themselves most quickly. Occasionally, the fingernails and toenails may splinter, crack, develop deep ridges, or stop growing.

Common side effects of chemotherapy include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, and irritation of the esophagus (the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach).

Because chemotherapy kills normal blood cells, it can have some of the same effects as the leukemia itself: infections, anemia, and bleeding problems. Therefore, treatment of a patient with leukemia may involve the use of antibiotics and other anti-infective agents, red blood cell and platelet transfusions, and periodic injections to help increase the production of healthy red blood cells.
Newer agents are being developed that target leukemia cells and only minimally affecting healthy cells.

These agents greatly reduce the severity of side effects.

Imatinib (Gleevec), an agent used in the treatment of CML, is an example of such a chemotherapeutic drug.
Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles.

Each cycle consists of intensive treatment over several days followed by a few weeks without treatment for rest and recovery from side effects caused by the chemotherapy, particularly anemia and low white blood cells. The sequence is then repeated.

Chemotherapy regimens may be administered for 2-6 cycles, depending on subtype of leukemia and risk factors involved.

In accordance with particular treatment regimens, bone marrow exams may be carried out prior to each cycle of chemotherapy. After completion of treatment, the patient is evaluated again to see the effect of the chemotherapy on the leukemia.
Hematologists and oncologists often refer to phases of chemotherapy. Only in certain types of leukemia are all 3 phases used.

Induction: The purpose of this first phase is to kill as many leukemia cells as possible and bring about a remission.

Consolidation: In this phase, the goal is to seek out and kill the residual leukemia cells not killed by induction. Often, these cells are not detectable, but they are assumed to be still present.

Maintenance: The third phase is used to keep numbers of leukemia cells low, that is, to keep the disease in remission. The doses of chemotherapy are not as high as in the first 2 phases. This phase can last as long as 2 years.
The fundamental goal of chemotherapy is to cure the patient. Cure means that blood tests and bone marrow biopsy show no evidence of leukemia and the leukemia does not come back (relapse) over time. Only time can determine whether a remission (with no evidence of disease) will lead to disease-free survival (cure). In effect, remission may be short-lived, thereby requiring administration of new, previously unseen therapy. Results of this approach, often referred to as second-line therapy, are rarely curative. Stem cell transplant, if available, has the best chance of a second-line therapy cure.
Biological drug therapy: This type of therapy uses biological drugs that act similarly to the body's natural immune system, such as monoclonal antibodies, interferon, or interleukins.

Biological therapy consists of proteins like those produced naturally by the body's immune system to promote the body's innate ability to fight cancer.

Some people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or acute myelogenous leukemia receive a monoclonal antibody. This is an antibody specifically designed to fight their type of leukemia cells.

Some people with chronic myelogenous leukemia receive injections of interferon, a protein produced by some of the body's lymphocytes, which on occasion may slow the growth of leukemia cells but which has many unpleasant side effects.
Radiation therapy: Radiotherapy is another treatment occasionally used in some types of leukemia.

A high-energy beam is targeted at an organ, such as the brain, bones, or spleen, where large numbers of leukemia cells have collected. The radiation kills these cells.

Radiation to the brain can have negative long-term effects on some people, especially children. It has been linked to learning or thinking problems later in life. For this reason, radiation to the brain is carefully calibrated and used only when absolutely required.
Stem cell transplantation: This is a treatment that allows use of very high doses of chemotherapy along with total body irradiation in order to kill the leukemic cells.

At the completion of high-dose (lethal) therapy, the patient's immune system is essentially depleted, and the patient is at high risk of developing serious life-threatening infections. Accordingly, these patients are treated in specially designed, sterile, air-filtered marrow transplant rooms.

Immediately upon completion of the high-dose therapy, stem cells from a healthy, complete blood cell matched donor, usually a sibling or less commonly a parent, are transplanted into a vein whereupon they migrate to the marrow where they grow and multiply before entering the circulation, a process that may take 2-3 weeks to be completed. On rare occasions, when a donor is not available, one's own marrow cells, usually pretreated in order to remove residual, but otherwise unseen, leukemic cells, are infused. This approach is far less successful than the use of matched donor cells.

If a patient receives stem cells from a matched donor, the type of stem cell transplant is called allogeneic. If the patient’s own stem cells are reintroduced back into the patient following high dose therapy, the infusion is called autologous. Marrow or stem cells from an identical twin is referred to as syngeneic.

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All Rights Reserved.

leukemia symptoms : 2 major types of leukemia

2006-07-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

myelogenous and lymphocytic, include both acute and chronic forms.

Acute essentially refers to a disorder of rapid onset. In the acute myelocytic leukemias, the abnormal cells grow rapidly and do not mature. Most of these immature cells tend to die rapidly. In the acute lymphocytic leukemias, growth is not as rapid as that of the myelocytic cells. Rather, the cells tend to accumulate. Common to both types of leukemia is their inability to carry out the functions of healthy white blood cells. Untreated, death occurs within weeks or a few months.

In the chronic leukemias, the onset tends to be slow, and the cells generally mature abnormally and often accumulate in various organs, often over long intervals. Their ability to fight infections and assist in repairing injured tissues is impaired. However, unlike the acute forms of leukemia, untreated, these disorders may persist for many months or, as in the chronic lymphocytic group, many years. A distinctive feature of the chronic myelocytic type is its invariable conversion, if untreated, to a more rapidly fulminating acute type, leading to rapid death.
In summary, the 4 main types of leukemia are as follows:
Acute lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Acute myelocytic leukemia

Chronic myelocytic leukemia
Less common types include hairy cell leukemia and human T-cell leukemia.

Leukemia affects people of all ages. Approximately 85% of leukemias in children are of the acute type.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) affects both children and adults but is more common in children. It accounts for 65% of the acute leukemias in children.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is essentially an adult disorder and is almost twice as common as chronic myelocytic leukemia.

Acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults.

Chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) is far more common in adults than in children.
As leukemic cells grow and eventually outnumber normal cells, the following events occur:

The normal blood cells are disabled, resulting in conditions such as frequent infections, bleeding problems (poor healing of small cuts or sores), and anemia (low red blood cell count).

The leukemia cells may collect in certain parts of the body, causing pain, swelling, and other problems.

Identifying the type of leukemia is important, since this determines which treatment is given.
Leukemia is newly diagnosed in about 29,000 adults and 2000 children each year in the United States.

In adults, the acute leukemias occur in those of all ages, whereas the chronic varieties, particularly CLL, tend to occur in people older than 40 years.

Leukemia is one of the most common cancers of children.

Leukemia is more common in people of European descent than in African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, or Native Americans.
Survival rates in leukemia have risen dramatically in the last 40 years with improvements in diagnosis and treatment.

In 1960, the overall 5-year survival rate for all leukemias was about 14%. It is now about 50%.

The highest survival rates occur in children with the so-called "common" ALL type.

leukemia symptoms : Leukemia Overview

2006-07-01T12:04:00.000-07:00

Leukemia Overview
Cancer is a process of uncontrolled abnormal cell growth and development. Under normal circumstances, cells are formed, mature, carry out their intended function, and then die. New cells are constantly regenerated in the body to replace those cells and to maintain normal cellular function.

Cancer represents the disturbance of this process, which can occur in several ways.

Cells may grow and reproduce in a disorganized and out-of-control fashion. Cells may fail to develop properly, so they will not function normally. Cells may fail to die normally. One or a combination of these processes may occur when cells become cancerous.

Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. These deranged, immature cells accumulate in the blood and within organs of the body. They are not able to carry out the normal functions of blood cells.

Normal blood contains 3 major groups of cells: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. All 3 types of blood cells develop from one immature cell type, called blood/marrow stem cells, in a process called hematopoiesis.

These stem cells divide and develop to a more developed, but still immature precursor, called a blast, which then develops through several more stages, into a mature blood cell.

This process takes place in the bone marrow, which is the soft spongy material found in the center of most bones.
Each type of blood cells has its own different and essential function in the body.

White blood cells (leukocytes) are part of the immune system and help fight a variety of infections. They also help in the healing of wounds, cuts, and sores.

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to, and removes carbon dioxide from, the cells throughout the various organs of the body.

Platelets, along with certain plasma proteins, help plug the holes in blood vessels and form clots once blood vessels are damaged or cut.
The first step in the process of stem cell maturation is differentiation into 2 groups: the myeloid stem cell line and the lymphoid stem cell line.

The myeloid stem cells, or lineage, develop into red blood cells, platelets, and certain types of white blood cells (granulocytes or monocytes).

The lymphoid stem cells, or lineage, develop into another type of white blood cell (lymphocytes).

Either lineage can be affected by leukemia. Leukemias that affect the myeloid lineage are called myelocytic (also myelogenous, myeloblastic, or nonlymphocytic) leukemias. Leukemias that affect the lymphoid lineage are called lymphocytic (also lymphoblastic or lymphogenous) leukemias.

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All Rights Reserved.

leukemia symptoms : Radiation & Surgery

2006-06-25T23:52:00.000-07:00

Radiation: Radiation treatment is used sometimes to treat leukemia cells in the brain and spinal fluid or testicles. It is also used, though rarely, in an emergency to treat compression of the trachea (windpipe). Even in this situation, however, radiation is being replaced by chemotherapy.

Surgery: Because leukemia cells spread so widely through the bone marrow and to many other organs, it is impossible to cure this type of cancer by surgery. Surgery rarely has any role even in the diagnosis, since a bone marrow aspirate is usually all that is needed to identify and classify leukemias.

At the time of leukemia diagnosis or soon thereafter a surgeon may put a venous access device (large plastic tube) into a large vein. The end of the tube is under the skin of the chest area or upper arm. Having such a venous access device will allow the nurses to inject chemotherapy and other medications more safely and remove blood samples without discomfort. It is very important for a patient to learn how to care for the venous access device to prevent it from becoming infected.

by Nielsen Technical Services

leukemia symptoms : Acute myelogenous leukemia

2006-06-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

symptoms result from the body not producing enough healthy blood cells. Healthy bone marrow makes stem cells that grow into the three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. An AML patient's bone marrow makes too many blast cells (immature white blood cells). Normal blast cells turn into a type of white blood cell called granulocytes, but the leukemia blast cells do not. At the same time, the marrow cannot grow enough normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Someone with too few red blood cells (anemia) may:

· Feel tired
· Be short of breath
· Look pale

Someone with too few normal white blood cells and too many leukemia blast cells may:

· Develop a lot of infections, for example, a sore throat
· Experience pain in the bones or joints
· Have a mild fever

Someone with too few platelets may:

· Bleed easily, such as swollen and bleeding gums, frequent nose bleeds or cuts that bleed for a long time
· Bruise more easily than usual
· Develop pin-head sized spots under the skin
· Develop cuts that heal slowly or do not heal

Some people with AML, however, do not notice any symptoms. Their AML may be discovered only during a blood test.

by Nielsen Technical Services

leukemia symptoms : Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

2006-06-22T00:39:00.000-07:00

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of the white blood cells and bone marrow. The bone marrow is the spongy inner part of bones where blood cells are produced. White blood cells arise from the marrow and circulate in the blood. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is characterized by uncontrolled growth of blood cells.

Many cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are detected by routine blood tests in persons with no symptoms, however, patients may have enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged liver and spleen, fatigue, bone pain, excessive sweating, loss of appetite, weight loss, flank pain, and generalized itching. Abnormal bruising, which is a more well known symptom of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, often does not appear until late in the illness.

Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly than acute leukemia. In leukemia, non-functioning cells accumulate in the marrow and blood but chronic leukemia enables the body to make greater numbers of more mature functional cells. The word "lymphocytic" in the term "chronic lymphocytic leukemia" refers to one of the three types of white blood cells involved in this disease.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) affects a type of lymphocyte called the B lymphocytes and causes suppression of the immune system, failure of the bone marrow, and infiltration of malignant cells into organs. Although chronic lymphocytic leukemia starts in the bone marrow, it can spread to the blood, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, central nervous system (CNS), and other organs. It does not usually form a solid mass or tumor.

The MediFocus Guidebook on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia contains information that is vital to anyone who has been diagnosed with this condition.

You will learn about the causes, risk factors, common signs and symptoms, medical tests that are used to establish the diagnosis, and standard treatments. You will also learn about the latest clinical advances in the management of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia as well as about the newest treatment options that are available.

The MediFocus Guidebook on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia will also inform you about important new, exciting research in the area of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. You will also learn about the doctors, hospitals, and medical centers that are at the leading edge in conducting clinical research about Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Information about clinical trials, quality of life issues, a list of questions to ask your doctor, and a useful directory of organizations and support groups that can help patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia complete this valuable Guidebook.

You won't find this combination of information anywhere else. It is easily accessible right here. We invite you to preview the MediFocus Guidebook on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia so that you can decide if this comprehensive, trustworthy information may help you or someone you care about who has been diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

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leukemia symptoms : general leukemia symptoms:

2006-06-22T00:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some general leukemia symptoms:

Anemia: Children with leukemia often have fewer than normal healthy red blood cells and platelets. They lack enough red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body, which causes a condition called anemia. Children with anemia may look pale, feel weak and tired and bleed and bruise easily.
Recurrent Infections: Although children with leukemia may have a high number of white blood cells, these white blood cells are immature and don't fight infection. Children may experience repetitive viral or bacterial infections. They often have symptoms of infection such as fever, runny nose and cough.
Bone and Joint Pain: Pain in bones and joints is another common symptom of leukemia. This pain is usually a result of the bone marrow being overcrowded and "full."
Abdominal Distress: Abdominal pain also may be a symptom. Leukemia cells can collect in the kidney, liver and spleen, causing enlargement of these organs. Pain in the abdomen may cause a loss of appetite and weight.
Swollen Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes under the arms, in the groin, chest and neck may become swollen when leukemia cells collect in the nodes. Lymph nodes filter the blood.
Difficulty Breathing or Dyspnea: With T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, leukemia cells tend to clump together around the thymus gland. This mass of cells present in the middle of the chest can cause pain and difficulty breathing. Wheezing, coughing or painful breathing requires immediate medical attention.

Copyright © 2002 - 2006 The Regents of the University of California

leukemia symptoms : Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Research Program

2006-06-13T02:33:00.000-07:00

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is one of the chronic myeloproliferative disorders, a category that includes polycythemia vera, idiopathic myelofibrosis and essential thrombocythemia. In some cases CML can be cured by bone marrow transplantation, but this procedure is associated with considerable complications in many patients that may result in death or disability. A new drug, imatinib (Gleevec), shows great promise and may extend a patient's life very considerably, but not all patients respond optimally. We have begun a research program at the Clinical Center with the goal of improving survival for more patients with CML than is currently possible. For example, we have initiated a research study whereby patients eligible for transplantation get greatly reduced drug treatment before the transplant. This approach may be associated with a lower risk of complications immediately after the transplant and permits treatment of patients who are older than those generally considered suitable for this approach.

Leukemia Research Study
Imatinib for Chronic Leukemia If you or someone you know is 18 years old or older and has been diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) or atypical chronic myelogenous leukemia (aCML), you may be able to participate in a clinical trial evaluating a new therapy. Imatinib has been shown to selectively kill leukemia cells in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Hematologists are evaluating whether imatinib may help improve blood counts and/or reduce or discontinue the need for blood transfusions in these other forms of leukemia.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

leukemia symptoms : Ask Your Doctor about Monitoring Your Response to Treatment

2006-06-13T02:30:00.000-07:00

The following is a list of questions you can ask your doctor about monitoring your response to treatment and a brief explanation of why you would want to know the answer to these questions.
Doctors use a variety of tests to monitor treatment effectiveness and the progression of CML. These include blood tests and cytogenetic tests, including the fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) test and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

Am I responding to treatment?
Almost everyone with CML has cells with the Philadelphia chromosome, which is responsible for the overproduction of white blood cells (WBCs). Doctors monitor your response to medical treatments by measuring the behavior and characteristics of the WBCs. Laboratory tests are used to measure the number of leukemia cells, and, if you are Philadelphia chromosome-positive, the number of cells containing the defective gene.

Am I experiencing a hematological response?
A hematological response means that the number of WBCs is now within normal range. The hematologic response can be used to predict the course of the disease.

Am I experiencing a cytogenetic response?
Cytogenetic tests look for the Philadelphia chromosome, the genetic hallmark of CML. This test can detect one defective cell in 20. When people who are Philadelphia chromosome-positive have a cytogenetic response, it means that the number of leukemia cells containing the defect has been reduced. Doctors take a sample that contains millions of cells and examine 20 to 30 of them under the microscope. A complete cytogenetic response means that no Philadelphia chromosome-positive cells have been found in that random sample. A partial cytogenetic response means that less than 35% of cells are Philadelphia chromosome-positive.

What is my FISH test result?
The FISH (fluorescence in-situ hybridization) test is a type of cytogenetic test (sometimes called a molecular test) that can visualize a specific gene or gene region on chromosomes. In the FISH test, a sampling of about 200 of your cells are tagged with a chemical marker that glows under special light when the cells are viewed under the microscope. The FISH test in CML can detect the presence or absence of a particular segment of DNA on the Philadelphia chromosome called the BCR-ABL gene. This test can detect one in 500 leukemia cells containing this defect.

What is my PCR result?
The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is a way of looking for the BCR-ABL gene directly. This highly sensitive cytogenetic test can detect one Philadelphia chromosome-positive cell in a million normal cells.

Will I need a bone marrow test?
Your doctor may want to perform a bone marrow biopsy to see if any cells in the bone marrow are Philadelphia chromosome-positive.

Produced in collaboration with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society &
supported through an educational grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb

leukemia symptoms : Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

2006-06-09T01:14:00.000-07:00

leukemia symptoms : Signs and Symptoms

2006-06-09T01:08:00.000-07:00

Two general categories of leukemia are acute and chronic. In acute leukemia, symptoms appear quickly and worsen quickly. This form of leukemia may develop over a short period of days to weeks. Abnormal white blood cells may collect in the brain or spinal cord. The result may be headaches, vomiting, confusion, loss of muscle control and difficulty seeing. Some patients develop sores in the eyes or unusual skin rashes. Leukemia also can affect the lungs and other parts of the body.

In chronic leukemia, symptoms may not appear for months or years. Doctors may find chronic leukemia during a routine exam before any symptoms arise. This form of leukemia may develop over longer periods covering months or years before symptoms are apparent. When symptoms do appear, they tend to be mild and worsen gradually. Abnormal white blood cells may gradually collect in various parts of the body, affecting areas such as the skin, central nervous system, digestive tract, kidneys and testicles.

The two primary types of childhood leukemia are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). These two acute forms of leukemia can develop over a short period of days to weeks. A third chronic form, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), is rare among children.

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): Acute lymphocytic leukemia -- also called lymphoblastic or lymphoid leukemia -- accounts for about 75 percent to 80 percent of childhood leukemia. In this form of the disease, the lymphocyte cells, which normally fight infection, are affected. When acute lymphocytic leukemia occurs, the bone marrow makes too many lymphocyte cells that do not mature correctly. The lymphocyte cells overproduce, crowding out other blood cells. Immature blood cells or blasts don't work properly to fight infection. Chromosome abnormalities, or extra chromosomes and structural changes in the chromosome material, are present in the majority of ALL patients.
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML): Acute myelogenous leukemia -- also called granulocytic, myelocytic, myeloblastic or myeloid leukemia -- accounts for about 20 percent of childhood leukemias. Acute myelogenous leukemia is a cancer of the blood in which too many granulocytes, a type of white blood cell that normally fights infection, are produced in the marrow and they don't mature correctly. The immature blood cells or blasts don't work properly to fight infection. The excessive number of these abnormal cells crowd out other healthy blood cells. Children with certain genetic syndromes, including Fanconi anemia, Bloom syndrome, Kostmann syndrome and Down syndrome, have a higher risk of developing AML.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML): Chronic myelogenous leukemia is the more slowly developing form of myelogenous leukemia and is rare among children. It may develop over a period of months or years. Children with CML have a chromosome rearrangement. Part of chromosome No. 9 breaks off and attaches itself to chromosome No. 22, creating an exchange of genetic material. This rearrangement changes the position and function of certain genes, causing uncontrolled cell growth. Other chromosome abnormalities also can occur.
Like all blood cells, leukemia cells travel throughout the body. Depending on the number of abnormal cells and where these cells collect, patients with leukemia may have a number of symptoms.

Here are some general leukemia symptoms:

Anemia: Children with leukemia often have fewer than normal healthy red blood cells and platelets. They lack enough red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body, which causes a condition called anemia. Children with anemia may look pale, feel weak and tired and bleed and bruise easily.
Recurrent Infections: Although children with leukemia may have a high number of white blood cells, these white blood cells are immature and don't fight infection. Children may experience repetitive viral or bacterial infections. They often have symptoms of infection such as fever, runny nose and cough.
Bone and Joint Pain: Pain in bones and joints is another common symptom of leukemia. This pain is usually a result of the bone marrow being overcrowded and "full."
Abdominal Distress: Abdominal pain also may be a symptom. Leukemia cells can collect in the kidney, liver and spleen, causing enlargement of these organs. Pain in the abdomen may cause a loss of appetite and weight.
Swollen Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes under the arms, in the groin, chest and neck may become swollen when leukemia cells collect in the nodes. Lymph nodes filter the blood.
Difficulty Breathing or Dyspnea: With T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, leukemia cells tend to clump together around the thymus gland. This mass of cells present in the middle of the chest can cause pain and difficulty breathing. Wheezing, coughing or painful breathing requires immediate medical attention.

Copyright © 2002 - 2006 The Regents of the University of California

leukemia symptoms : Types leukemia

2006-06-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is classified by how quickly it progresses. Acute leukemia is fast-growing and can overrun the body within a few weeks or months. By contrast, chronic leukemia is slow-growing and progressively worsens over years.

Acute versus Chronic Leukemia
The blood-forming (hematopoietic) cells of acute leukemia remain in an immature state, so they reproduce and accumulate very rapidly. Therefore, acute leukemia needs to be treated immediately, otherwise the disease may be fatal within a few months. Fortunately, some subtypes of acute leukemia respond very well to available therapies and they are curable. Children often develop acute forms of leukemia, which are managed differently from leukemia in adults.

In chronic leukemia, the blood-forming cells eventually mature, or differentiate, but they are not "normal." They remain in the bloodstream much longer than normal white blood cells, and they are unable to combat infection well.

Myelogenous versus Lymphocytic Leukemia
Leukemia also is classified according to the type of white blood cell that is multiplying - that is, lymphocytes (immune system cells), granulocytes (bacteria-destroying cells), or monocytes (macrophage-forming cells). If the abnormal white blood cells are primarily granulocytes or monocytes, the leukemia is categorized as myelogenous, or myeloid, leukemia. On the other hand, if the abnormal blood cells arise from bone marrow lymphocytes, the cancer is called lymphocytic leukemia.

Other cancers, known as lymphomas, develop from lymphocytes within the lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs. Such cancers do not originate in the bone marrow and have a biological behavior that is different from lymphocytic leukemia.

There are over a dozen different types of leukemia, but four types occur most frequently. These classifications are based upon whether the leukemia is acute versus chronic and myelogenous versus lymphocytic, that is:

Acute Myelogenous (granulocytic) Leukemia (AML)
Chronic Myelogenous (granulocytic) Leukemia (CML)
Acute Lymphocytic (lymphoblastic) Leukemia (ALL)
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) - also known as acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) - is the most common form of adult leukemia. Most patients are of retirement age (average age at diagnosis = 65 years), and more men are affected than women. Fortunately, because of recent advances in treatment, AML can be kept in remission (lessening of the disease) in approximately 60% to 70% of adults who undergo appropriate therapy. Initial response rates are approximately 65-75% but the overall cure rates are more on the order of 40-50%.
AML begins with abnormalities in the bone marrow blast cells that develop to form granulocytes, the white blood cells that contain small particles, or granules. The AML blasts do not mature, and they become too numerous in the blood and bone marrow. As the cells build up, they hamper the body's ability to fight infection and prevent bleeding. Therefore, it is necessary to treat this disease within a short time after making a diagnosis. AML, particularly in the monocytic M5 form, may spread to the gums and cause them to swell, bleed, and become painful. AML also may metastasize (spread) to the skin, causing small colored spots that mimic a rash.

Acute leukemia, such as AML, is categorized according to a system known as French-American-British (FAB) classification. FAB divides AML into eight subtypes:

undifferentiated AML (M0) - In this form of leukemia, the bone marrow cells show no significant signs of differentiation (maturation to obtain distinguishing cell characteristics).
myeloblastic leukemia (M1; with/without minimal cell maturation) - The bone marrow cells show some signs of granulocytic differentiation.
myeloblastic leukemia (M2; with cell maturation) - The maturation of bone marrow cells is at or beyond the promyelocyte (early granulocyte) stage; varying amounts of maturing granulocytes may be seen. This subtype often is associated with a specific genetic change involving translocation of chromosomes 8 and 21.
promyelocytic leukemia (M3 or M3 variant [M3V]) - Most cells are abnormal early granulocytes that are between myeloblasts and myelocytes in their stage of development and contain many small particles. The cell nucleus may vary in size and shape. Bleeding and blood clotting problems, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), are commonly seen with this form of leukemia. Good responses are observed after treatment with retinoids, which are drugs chemically related to vitamin A.
myelomonocytic leukemia (M4 or M4 variant with eosinophilia [M4E]) - The bone marrow and circulating blood have variable amounts of differentiated granulocytes and monocytes. The proportion of monocytes and promonocytes (early monocyte form) in the bone marrow is greater than 20% of all nucleated (nucleus-containing) cells. The M4E variant also contains a number of abnormal eosinophils (granular leukocyte with a two-lobed nucleus) in the bone marrow.
monocytic leukemia (M5) - There are two forms of this subtype. The first form is characterized by poorly differentiated monoblasts (immature monocytes) with lacy-appearing genetic material. The second, differentiated form is characterized by a large population of monoblasts, promonocytes, and monocytes. The proportion of monocytes in the bloodstream may be higher than that in the bone marrow. M5 leukemia may infiltrate the skin and gums, and it has a worse prognosis than other subtypes.
erythroleukemia (M6) - This form of leukemia is characterized by abnormal red blood cell-forming cells, which make up over half of the nucleated cells in the bone marrow.
megakaryoblastic leukemia (M7) - The blast cells in this form of leukemia look like immature megakaryocytes (giant cells of the bone marrow) or lymphoblasts (lymphocyte-forming cells). M7 leukemia may be distinguished by extensive fibrous tissue deposits (fibrosis) in the bone marrow.
In addition, patients sometimes develop isolated tumors of the myeloblasts (early granulocytes). An example of this is isolated granulocytic sarcoma, or chloroma - a malignant tumor of the connective tissue. Individuals with chloroma frequently develop AML, so they usually are treated with an aggressive, AML-specific chemotherapy program.

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leukemia symptoms : Bone Marrow & Blood Formation

2006-06-04T23:57:00.000-07:00

In humans, the bones are not solid, but are made up of two distinct regions. The outer, weight-bearing area is hard, compact, and calcium-based. It surrounds a lattice-work of fibrous bone known as cancellous tissue.The inner region, or marrow - which is one of the largest organs of the body - is located within the bones. It fills the shafts of the long bones, the trabeculae (spaces within cancellous tissue), and even extends into the bony canals that hold the blood vessels.

The marrow may contain fat cells, fluid, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, and hematopoietic, or blood-forming, cells. Marrow looks yellow when it holds many fat cells; it appears red when it has more blood-forming material. The marrow is the principal site for hematopoiesis (blood formation), which, after birth, occurs primarily within the bones of the legs, arms, ribs, sternum (breastbone), and vertebrae (backbones).

Stem Cells
Many of the blood cells that populate the arteries and veins are born and mature within the bone marrow. They are derived from hematopoietic cells called stem cells. Stem cells within the bone marrow continuously divide to form new cells. Some of the new cells remain unchanged as stem cells and have a lifelong capacity for self-renewal. These cells are called pluripotential cells. Other, unipotential stem cells have a limited capacity for self-renewal. Also known as progenitor cells, unipotential cells become committed to forming only one type of blood cell line - erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), or platelets. Colonies of progenitor cells provide offspring of increasing differentiation (maturity). They react to specific compounds known as poietins. Poietins stimulate the progenitor cells until they transform into the appropriate young blood cell known as a "blast" cell.

Although stem cells are few in number - composing no more than 3% to 5% of all cells in the marrow - they are the only cells capable of producing the progenitor cells that eventually form all of the blood elements. The number of blood cells produced every day is enormous: in the normal adult, production amounts to about 2.5 billion erythrocytes, 2.5 billion platelets, and 1.0 billion granulocytes (granular leukocytes) per kilogram of body weight.

If the stem cells stop functioning because of drugs, radiation, infection, or other toxic event, they become unable to make any of the blood cells. The circulating blood will be deficient in all types of blood cells, a condition known as pancytopenia. The inside of the bone marrow will appear empty and will lack the normal quantity of cells. This stem cell disorder, which is called aplastic anemia, may be treated by bone marrow transplant or immunosuppressive medications. In rare circumstances, children with aplastic anemia may respond to therapy with steroids or androgens (male sex hormones); such treatments are generally discouraged in adults.

Progenitor cells also may die or lose the ability to function due to drugs, radiation, infection, or other toxic event. Depending on which progenitor cells cease to work, the person may develop pure red cell aplasia (lack of red blood cells), megakaryocytic aplasia (absence of platelets) or leukopenia (low white blood cell count).

Other types of bone marrow abnormalities, such as myeloproliferative disorder, a disease in which bone marrow cells multiply outside of the bone marrow tissue, or myelodysplastic ("preleukemia") syndromes, are the result of marrow dysfunction in either the stem cells or progenitor cell lines.

Spleen
The spleen is a vital organ that is located on the left side of the body under the lower rib cage. It is a "ductless gland" that is closely associated with the circulatory system. The adult spleen - which holds the largest collection of blood-filtering lymphatic tissue in the body - is roughly 5 inches long and weighs about 5 to 7 ounces, but these measurements vary greatly with age, nutrition, disease status, and other factors.

The spleen contains a white pulp of lymphoid tissues and a red pulp that contains red blood cells and hollow cavities called sinuses. Both red and white pulps are abundant in phagocytes, the cells that consume foreign substances within the body. The spleen manufactures lymphocytes and other immune system cells to combat infection. It is a storehouse for healthy blood cells, and its lymphatic tissue filters out old and damaged blood cells, microorganisms, and cell waste. In case of bone marrow malfunction, the spleen may assume the role of blood cell formation.

Certain leukemia patients may develop splenomegaly - an enlarged spleen. In some forms of leukemia, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and hairy cell leukemia (HCL), splenectomy (removal of the spleen) may be an effective form of treatment. Splenectomy is one of many therapeutic options for HCL

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leukemia symptoms : Diagnosis

2006-06-02T03:24:00.000-07:00

Once the physician suspects that a patient's blood is abnormal, he or she will want to perform blood and bone marrow tests to rule out leukemia. Additional tissue samples may be needed to confirm the diagnosis or to help plan treatment.

Blood Tests
In cases of questionable leukemia, a number of blood tests are performed. Such tests evaluate the type and quantity of blood cells that are present, the blood chemistry, and other factors.

Full blood count Full blood count to establish the numbers of different blood cell types within the circulation. Low numbers of red or white blood cells are described as anemia or leukopenia, respectively. Low numbers of "young" red blood cells (reticulocytes) are described as reticulocytopenia. High leukocyte or reticulocyte counts are called leukocytosis or reticulocytosis, respectively. A lack of mature neutrophils (bacteria-destroying white blood cells) is known as neutropenia or granulocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is the term used for a low number of blood-clotting platelets, and thrombocytosis refers to a high number of platelets.

Differential blood count Differential blood count to determine the relative proportion of blood cell types within the bloodstream. In particular, the percentage of immature leukemic "blast" cells is noted. People with acute leukemia (either acute lymphocytic leukemia [ALL] or acute myelogenous leukemia [AML]) often have too many leukocytes (white blood cells), too few erythrocytes (red blood cells) and/or too few platelets. Often many of the leukocytes in these individuals are immature "blast" cells.

Hematocrit assay Hematocrit assay to determine the proportion of the blood that is occupied by erythrocytes (red blood cells); normal men: 46% (39.8 - 52.2); normal women: 40.9% (34.9 - 46.9).

Hemoglobin level Hemoglobin level to evaluate the amount of oxygen-carrying pigment in the erythrocytes; normal men: 15.5 g/dl blood (13.3 - 17.7); normal women: 13.7 g/dl blood (11.7 - 15.7).

Blood coagulation Blood coagulation variables to determine whether there are problems with clotting. Such variables include prothrombin time, partial prothrombin time (PPT), clotting time, coagulation factors II, V, VII, IX, X, XI, and XII, plasminogen, and plasminogen activator.

Blood morphology and staining Blood morphology and staining to identify abnormalities in cell shape, structure, and the condition of the cell nucleus. Some abnormalities common to red blood cells include anisocytosis (excessive variations in size), poikilocytosis (abnormal red blood cell shapes), and macrocytosis (abnormally large cells). Neutrophils often show nuclear and cell-based abnormalities, as well as loss of granulation. Platelets may show giant forms that are deficient in granules.

Blood chemistry Blood chemistry to measure the type and amount of enzymes, minerals, and other substances within the blood. Typical tests include measuring the serum enzyme lactic dehydrogenase; measuring the leukocyte enzyme alkaline phophatase, especially for the diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML; measuring serum vitamin B12, which can be increased to roughly 15 times normal in CML patients; and measuring serum levels of calcium, potassium, phosphate, and uric acid (excess uric acid in the blood, or hyperuricemia, is common in lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma). These tests are used to identify kidney or liver damage that may be caused by leukemic cell breakdown or by drugs used for chemotherapy

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leukemia symptoms : Leukemia

2006-06-02T03:18:00.000-07:00

Signs and Symptoms
The first indications of leukemia often are nonspecific or vague. They may occur with other cancerous as well as noncancerous disorders. Although signs and symptoms vary for each type of leukemia, there are some general features. Broad symptoms of leukemia may include:

Fatigue
Malaise (vague feeling of bodily discomfort)
Abnormal bleeding
Excessive bruising
Weakness
Reduced exercise tolerance
Weight loss
Bone or joint pain
Infection and fever
Abdominal pain or "fullness"
Enlarged spleen, lymph nodes, and liver
Chronic leukemia often goes undetected for many years until it is identified in a routine blood test. In fact, nearly one in five chronic leukemia patients have no symptoms at the time of their diagnosis. Most symptoms of acute leukemia are caused by a lack of normal blood cells. This is due to overcrowding of the blood-forming bone marrow by leukemia cells.
Signs of Blood Abnormalities
Once the patient's blood is tested, signs of specific blood abnormalities may be noted, such as:

Anemia - a low number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) within the blood. Anemia can cause fatigue, "pale" skin coloration, and respiratory difficulties such as shortness of breath.

Leukopenia - a low number of normal leukocytes (white blood cells) that may increase the risk of infection.

Neutropenia (granulocytopenia) - too few mature neutrophils, the mature bacteria-destroying white blood cells that contain small particles, or granules.

Thrombocytopenia - a low number of blood-clotting platelets that can result in excessive bruising, abnormal bleeding, or frequent bleeding of the nose or gums.

Thrombocytosis - a high number of platelets. Some patients, especially those with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), may exhibit thrombocytosis, although their platelets may not clot properly, causing bruising and bleeding difficulties.
Because leukemia may cause enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) and enlarged liver hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), the overgrowth of these organs may appear as belly "fullness" or swelling. Such fullness may be palpated (felt) by the physician during physical examination. Lymph node enlargement may or may not be apparent, although imaging studies should be able to confirm any lymphatic disease.
Leukemia that has spread to the brain may produce central nervous system effects, such as headaches, seizures, weakness, blurred vision, balance difficulties, or vomiting.

Certain forms of leukemia produce more distinct symptoms. For example, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), particularly the M5 monocytic form, may generate tell-tale symptoms such as:

swollen, painful, and bleeding gums - if AML has spread to the oral tissue;
pigmented (colored) rash-like spots - if AML has spread to the skin; or
chloromas (granulocytic sarcomas; collections of tumorous cells within the skin or other body parts) - if AML has
spread to the skin or other organs.
The T-cell variety of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) may cause the thymus to enlarge and press on the trachea (windpipe). Such pressure may lead to:
shortness of breath,
coughing, or
suffocation.
If the overgrown thymus presses upon the superior vena cava (SVC), the large vein that carries blood from the head and arms back to the heart, this may produce SVC syndrome (swelling of the head and arms). SVC involvement of the brain can be fatal.

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by Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All rights reserved

leukemia symptoms : induced generalized hypopigmentation in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

2006-05-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

Imatinib mesylate (STI-571) is a recently developed oral anticancer agent rationally designed to selectively inhibit certain protein kinases implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumors.[1] Imatinib mesylate inhibits the bcr-abl tyrosine kinase, thus blocking proliferation and growth of tumor cells expressing bcr-abl. It is generally well tolerated and most side effects are mild to moderate in severity. The common side effects are edema, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and cutaneous reactions. Serious side effects such as hepatotoxicity and myelosuppression also occur, warranting regular monitoring and interruption of treatment.[2] The common dermatological side effects are periorbital edema and dermatitis. Facial edema, pruritis, erythema, dry skin, alopecia, night sweats, and photosensitivity reactions are infrequently reported.[3] We are highlighting an interesting dermatological effect, generalized hypopigmentation, as a result of imatinib therapy, noticeable especially in Indian population because of the dark complexion.

A retrospective analysis of 15 patients of CML on imatinib mesylate between Sept 2003 and Sept 2004 was carried out. Imatinib mesylate was started as first-line therapy in five patients. In the remaining 10 patients, the drug was initiated when therapy with hydroxyurea and interferon did not show evidence of hematologic and cytogenetic response. Imatinib mesylate was initiated during the chronic phase of CML in eleven, accelerated phase in one, and blast crisis in three patients. The dose of imatinib was 400 mg/day in the chronic phase and 600 mg/day in the accelerated and blast crisis phases.

After initiation of the drug, patients were followed weekly for 1 month and thereafter every 2 weeks for an average of 15 months (range: 8-23 months). No patient was lost to follow up. During each visit, patients were assessed for constitutional symptoms, weight gain, periorbital edema, jaundice, vomiting, and diarrhea. Hemogram was done during each visit and liver function tests were done monthly. Bone marrow aspiration was done after 6 months of initiation of drug to assess the cytogenetic response. Complete hematological response was defined as disappearance of signs and symptoms of disease, no splenomegaly, and normal blood counts (TLC < 11000/mm3, platelet count< 450000/mm3, and no immature white blood cells in smear). Cytogenetic responses were classified into major and minor responses. The major response was further classified as complete (0% Philadelphia [Ph] chromosome) and partial (0-34% Ph chromosome). Minor response was defined as presence of Ph chromosome in 35-90% of metaphases.
Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Jan-Feb, 2006 by Sunita, D. Gupta, S. Saluja, S. Bhasin, M. Sharma

leukemia symptoms : Hairy cell leukemia

2006-05-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

Definition

Hairy cell leukemia is a disease in which the cells that are present in the blood and bone marrow turn abnormal or cancerous. It is called "hairy cell leukemia" because the cells have tiny "hairy" projections when examined under the microscope.
Description

Hairy cell leukemia is a rare cancer. There are approximately 600 new cases diagnosed every year in the United States. The disease commonly affects older people, with the average age at diagnosis being 50 years. The disease is four times more common in men.

There are three types of cells found in the blood: red blood cells that carry oxygen to all the parts of the body; the white blood cells which are responsible for fighting infection and protecting the body from diseases; and platelets which help in the clotting of blood. Hairy cell leukemia affects the white blood cells called lymphocytes. The lymphocytes are made in the bone marrow, spleen, and the lymph nodes.

When hairy cell leukemia develops, the white blood cells become abnormal and accumulate in the spleen, causing it to become enlarged. The cells may also collect in the bone marrow and stop it from producing blood cells. As a result there may not be enough normal white blood cells in the blood to fight infections.
Causes & symptoms

The cause of hairy cell leukemia is not known. It is a slowly progressing disease and the patients may not show any symptoms for many years. As the disease advances, the patients may have an enlarged spleen, because of the accumulation of the abnormal cells in the spleen. The liver may at times become enlarged. The blood tests may show abnormal counts of all the different types of cells. This happens because the cancerous cells invade the bone marrow as well and prevent it from producing normal blood cells. Because of the low white cell count in the blood, the patient may have frequent infections. Fever accompanies the infections. There may also be other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats. The low red cell count may cause anemia, and the low platelet count may cause the person to bruise easily.
Diagnosis

If a patient complains of fatigue and has recurrent infections, and if the spleen is enlarged, the doctor may order several blood tests. In these tests, the total numbers of each of the different types of blood cells (CBC) are reported. If the blood tests are abnormal, the doctor may order a "bone marrow biopsy". During this procedure, a needle is inserted into the bone and a small amount of marrow is withdrawn for microscopic examination. This test will help the physician in identifying the type of leukemia and planning the treatment.
Treatment

Some people with hairy cell leukemia have very few or no symptoms at all and may not need any treatment. If the spleen is enlarged, it may be removed in a surgical procedure known as splenectomy. This usually causes a remission of the disease.

Chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation are rarely used in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia. Modern therapy relies heavily on the use of 2CDA (cladribine, pentastatin, fludarabine, interferon).

Biological therapy or immunotherapy, where the body's own immune cells are used to fight cancer is also being investigated in clinical trials for hairy cell leukemia. A substance called interferon that is produced by the white blood cells of the body has shown some promise in treating the disease and is being investigated further.
Encyclopedia of Medicine
by Lata Cherath

leukemia symptoms : leukemia symptoms

2006-05-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

Definition

Leukemia is a cancer that starts in the organs that make blood, namely the bone marrow and the lymph system. Depending on specific characteristics, leukemia can be divided into two broad types: acute and chronic. Acute leukemias are the rapidly progressing leukemias, while the chronic leukemias progress more slowly. The vast majority of childhood leukemias are of the acute form.
Description

The cells that make up blood are produced in the bone marrow and the lymph system. The bone marrow is the spongy tissue found in the large bones of the body. The lymph system includes the spleen (an organ in the upper abdomen), the thymus (a small organ beneath the breastbone), and the tonsils (an organ in the throat). In addition, the lymph vessels (tiny tubes that branch like blood vessels into all parts of the body) and lymph nodes (pea-shaped organs that are found along the network of lymph vessels) are also parts of the lymph system. The lymph is a milky fluid that contains cells. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the neck, underarm, pelvis, abdomen, and chest.

The cells found in the blood are the red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body; white blood cells (WBCs) that fight infection; and platelets, which play a part in the clotting of the blood. The white blood cells can be further subdivided into three main types: granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes.

The granulocytes, as their name suggests, have particles (granules) inside them. These granules contain special proteins (enzymes) and several other substances that can break down chemicals and destroy microorganisms, such as bacteria. Monocytes are the second type of white blood cell. They are also important in defending the body against pathogens.

The lymphocytes form the third type of white blood cell. There are two main types of lymphocytes: T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. They have different functions within the immune system. The B cells protect the body by making "antibodies." Antibodies are proteins that can attach to the surfaces of bacteria and viruses. This "attachment" sends signals to many other cell types to come and destroy the antibody-coated organism. The T cells protect the body against viruses. When a virus enters a cell, it produces certain proteins that are projected onto the surface of the infected cell. The T cells recognize these proteins and make certain chemicals that are capable of destroying the virus-infected cells. In addition, the T cells can destroy some types of cancer cells.

The bone marrow makes stem cells, which are the precursors of the different blood cells. These stem cells mature through stages into either RBCs, WBCs, or platelets.
Chronic leukemias

In chronic leukemias, the cancer starts in the blood cells made in the bone marrow. The cells do mature and only a few remain as immature cells. However, even though the cells mature and appear normal, they do not function as normal cells. Depending on the type of white blood cell that is involved, chronic leukemia can be classified as chronic lymphocytic leukemia or chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
by Mai Tran

Home stereo-Philips Launches New AV Range

2006-05-16T22:58:00.000-07:00

At the forefront of its product range presentation were its latest LCD TVs, which sport up to four Ambilight surrounds and its impressive ClearLCD and Pixel Plus 3HD image processing technology.

Comparisons with the latest similar-sized LCD models from competitors were performed and the Philips sets displayed noticeably reduced juddering in panning scenes than the competitor products. Also noticeably better rendered were skin tones.

Ambilight is claimed to reduce eyestrain (by reducing sudden changes from darkness to intense light) and provide a more immersive viewing experience. The backlighting around the display frame automatically adjusts in real time to generally match the colours being displayed on the screen. There's no doubt the demonstration of the LCD Ambilight sets was ‘immersive' (probably also thanks to some seriously beefy sound reproduction) and picture quality was excellent, but a lot more time would be needed to decide conclusively whether it lives up to Philips' claims about it. Certainly, it's by no means distracting but likewise this writer barely noticed when it had been briefly turned off to demonstrate life without it.

More convincing was the demonstration of the ClearLCD and Pixel Plus 3HD image processing technology, which provides a realistic, smooth and, yes, clear image when employed – especially in standard definition. Philips says the technologies were specifically designed to overcome LCD's traditional weaknesses: motion artifacts and low contrast.

Matt Moran, Marketing and Sales Manager, said "We see LCD as the dominant technology over plasma. Its strengths are light output, resolution and power efficiency. Its weakness, though, is light leakage through the panel due to it being back-lit, which doesn't give you blacks that are quite as black as you could want – such as provided by plasma. Motion is also an issue. The liquid crystals in LCDs are getting faster, but they're still not quick enough to be beat the human eye. With ClearLCD we basically eliminated those weaknesses and take LCD up to the same quality levels as CRT and plasma in these areas, which maximising its present strengths.

"Clear LCD works on three different technologies. The first is dimming backlight, which detects light and dark areas on the screen and communicates accordingly with the backlight.

The second addresses motion blur. LCDs move when there's a voltage put through them. Our Overdrive technology basically puts extra voltage into each crystal to give it a good kick and make it move faster, resulting in smoother reproduction and less blur.

The other technology is scanning backlight, which is probably the most fundamental Clear LCD technology. The scanning backlight provides a backlight that is flickering at 75 times per second. Anything over 60 hertz is too fast for the human eye to see. The flickering provides 75 frames per second with nice, crisp breaks in between, instead of one frame that is gradually changing. You have one frame, the voltage to the crystals goes off, the crystals move, then the backlight comes on. This greatly reduces the blurring effect. Also, we use hot carbon fluorocarbons, which provide 300 percent more light output than the traditionally used cold carbon fluorocarbons."

Philips claimed its competitors sets were, along with its sets, set to factory defaults for the comparison. In the comparison, skin tones were overblown in the competitors' sets, and detail was in some instances lacking. When the image processing was employed in high-definition, the non-Philips sets definitely caught up.

Most drastic of all was the stabilising effect of ClearLCD and Pixel Plus 3HD during video panning sequences. The Philips sets were obviously more realistic and stable than the competitor sets displaying the same video images.

Whether a completely level playing field was employed, only Philips will really know but we expect the comparison was mostly fair. We were impressed enough to recommend considering in purchasing decisions but, as always, suggest you judge with your eyes.

The features are limited to the 37 inch 37PF9731 ($TBC) and 42 inch 42PF9831 ($6900), which features full Ambilight surround and is available from July 2006.

In his address, Philips CEO, Harry van Dyk, said "We think our new range for 2006 will make a qualitative impact which will separate us from other brands. Last year, prices in the LCD market dropped about 40 percent. In such a market, Philips had two choices: either to murder its cost base and operate on a very lean business model, or differentiate.

Our conclusion was that Philips is a differentiated product/brand company and that is reflected in our latest innovations. If you can find a better television in the world than our ClearLCD products, you better tell me what it is."

"Differentiation is defiantly the way Philips wants to go," added Matt Moran. "Prices are getting crazy but what we want to do is add value to the offer by giving consumers a real reason to spend money on our electronic products beyond the same old picture and sound stuff announced when someone launches a TV. As well as providing the best picture and sound, Philips is taking the whole package to market by enhancing the entire viewing experience and improving the viewer's atmosphere."

© Copyright 2006 Smart House Magazine. All rights reserved.

Home Theatre

2006-05-13T21:46:00.000-07:00

The digital revolution has dramatically changed the way in which we listen to music and watch films. Today our living room has become our private home theatre, with state-of-the-art home theatre audio and video equipment.
The high-end home theatre systems made by Philips allow you to enjoy virtually all movie and music media. They even allow you to watch your JPEG picture CD’s accompanied by MP3 music.
It is also possible to create your own home theatre system, by combining your existing AV equipment with a digital AV receiver from Philips. It provides you with HD-quality audio and video reproduction.
The Home Theatre experience
The advent of video camcorders, music and video CD’s, DVD’s en MP3 CD’s, to name just a few technical developments, makes us want to enjoy all these media in the highest quality in the privacy of our homes. Home theatre means, to experience the acoustic quality of a concert hall or the digital surround sound quality of a movie theatre.
Philips offers you a whole range of home theatre systems to choose from. For easy installation and set-up Philips has provided its home theatre equipment with colour-coded connectors and on-screen display.
This website shows you the major features of each home theatre system at a glance, providing you with additional technical information where necessary. To explore this website, just click on the main menu.
Highly compatible Home Theatre systems
Of course you want your home theatre to play as many media as possible. So whether you regularly rent DVD movies or are used to downloading DivX files from the Internet, on this website you will be quickly informed which home theatre system will suit you.
To complete your home theatre Philips offers you a range of DVD recorders allowing you to record your old home videos in DVD quality.

©2004-2006 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. All rights reserved

Novo Multi-Roulette™ 8 Player Configuration

2006-05-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

Novo Multi-Roulette™ 8-Player Configuration consists of electronic player stations linked to a fully automated Roulette wheel and is available in various configurations with up to 250 stations. The exclusive design of our 8-player version incorporates eight electronic player stations with touch screen displays in an island configuration around a fully automated genuine mechanical Roulette wheel secured in an enclosed case.

The 8-player version features fully automated Roulette wheel operation, automatic and secure cash handling and payout mechanisms, second screen functionality for call and neighbour bets, various options for chip value selection, random variation of wheel speed and variation of air density, alternately right/left wheel direction and Roulette ball direction, use of original ”Live Game” Roulette ball and much more. Additionally, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish and Russian language options are available for player convenience.

Multi-Player terminals enable casinos to offer the game of Roulette to a much wider audience.

NOVO Unity™

Asian Food

2006-05-07T23:52:00.000-07:00

I do have a few "negative" things to say about Naniwa, but let's start with the good. We arrived shortly before the main dinner rush, so we had some quiet talking time. The staff is very gracious, and they seem eager to really ensure you have a quality dining experience. We started with the boiled spinach leaves with a sesame ginger sauce (gomae ae), which was good, but I like Coast Sushi's version with sesame seeds better. The spinach leaves were fresh for the most part, but tasted like they had been sitting in a refrigerator for a couple of hours. We also had the miso soup, which was very traditional, but that's how I like it best. Our main course of only sushi and rolls consisted of: the original rainbow, the fire dragon, unagi avocado, holy mackerel, mayo spicy white tuna, and the Philly. The rainbow was delicious. The fire dragon had a little too much eel sauce poured onto it, but it was still rather delectable. The unagi avocado still stands out as one of my favorite rolls to get. There is just something about that eel and avocado that I can’t get enough of. The mackerel roll had a refreshing taste and texture, as the shisho leaf provided a welcomed crunch against the softness of the fish. Anything with a spicy mayo sauce and white tuna is guaranteed to be good as long as it's fresh, which it was. The Philly ended up being my date's favorite: smoked salmon, avocado, and fresh cream cheese. Their wine list is decent, and has several choices to suit their menu. We wanted to get some sake, but ended up not doing that. Their beer selection is typical of an Asian restaurant, but you can’t go wrong with a Sapporo or an Asahi. We now come to some things I didn't find particularly good. Upon opening the menu, I discovered that it was IDENTICAL to Bob San's on Division. I know they have the same owner, but I did not expect the same exact menu. I was looking forward to a new sushi experience, but all I got was the same quality sushi I could get at Bob San. Although the portions and quality of the fish are just slightly better at Bob San, Naniwa gets high marks. All the food arrived in a timely fashion, and we never felt rushed. The atmosphere did became somewhat unpleasantly loud as the main dinner hour approached and hit, but I would still go there again just for a change in atmosphere.

by William Mohring

Gulf Shores Dolphins lose to Owensboro-Catholic

2006-05-03T23:14:00.000-07:00

GULF SHORES -- Owensboro Catholic's baseball team capped off a mighty fine week Thursday when it defeated Gulf Shores 10-2 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

The visitors from Kentucky -- ranked No. 5 in the Bluegrass State -- went 4-1 during their season-opening spring break trip to the Gulf Coast, besting Faith Academy, Gulf Shores and Franklin-Simpson (Ky.) twice. The Aces also lost to Daphne on Tuesday.

"We've played some good teams down here and we've had a lot of fun," said Owensboro coach Troy Pendley. "Not only are the people nice and hospitable to us, but we get to play some great teams as well. It's well worth our time to come down here."

Thursday's contest was not nearly as satisfying for the Dolphins, who managed only five hits against two of Owensboro's top pitchers.

"We just got beat by a good team. They can play," said Gulf Shores coach Donnie Spohn.

The Aces scored three runs in the second inning and broke the game open with six in the third. The Dolphins responded with two in the fifth, but by then it was too little too late.

University of Louisville signee Justin Marks led the charge for Owensboro with two hits and three RBIs, while Joe Devine added two hits and two RBIs and Ryan Rogers had two hits and one RBI. Neil Holland also had two hits for the Aces, while Stewart Ijames and Will Higdon added RBIs.

Chase DiChiara, Chandler Davis, D.J. Jones, Scotty Freeman and Gary Johnston all had base knocks for the Dolphins.

Rogers (1-0) picked up the win for Owensboro, allowing two runs on four hits in five innings of work. He struck out nine and walked three.

Joey DiChiara (0-2) took the loss for Gulf Shores, allowing nine runs on nine hits in two innings. He struck out one and did not walk a batter.

Alex Webb and Johnston pitched well in relief for the Dolphins, tossing five innings of three-hit baseball. Webb struck out three and walked two, while Johnston struck out four and walked three.

"I thought our pitchers were adequate tonight, we just didn't hit," said Spohn. "We can't get by with not hitting."

Gulf Shores (6-13) was scheduled to play UMS-Wright on Friday in a 4A Area 1 game that was completed after the deadline for today's Baldwin Register. Both the Dolphins and the Bulldogs entered that contest undefeated in area play.

Gulf Shores' next game is Tuesday at Escambia County. The first pitch is slate for 6 p.m. in Atmore.

© 2006 Press-Register. All rights reserved.

Ten Thousand Dollar Business Building Giveaway

2006-05-02T00:37:00.000-07:00

Ref: Why Would A Sane Man Give Away $10,000 Of
His Expert Time & G-Zillions Of Dollars Worth of
Proven Business Growth Strategies... All Gratis?

Some people may think Jay Abraham is crazy to
invest freely in you. But he thinks you and your
business are worth it.

He grows businesses and builds bottom lines for a
living. He does it by finding you overlooked
possibilities, hidden assets and under performing
activities in whatever business you do. He does
it by improving the marketing you use and
changing the strategy you follow.

Jay can show you how to mine windfall bonanzas
from situations you don't currently take
advantage of. You'll learn to engineer more
success and profitability into every action you
take. You can make better bottom line-boosting
decisions. Jay Abraham has, can, and will show
you how to do it all --- with no fee to you.

Could your business efforts be overlooking the
obvious? Jay has helped people double, and
redouble their business' income. Just by better
maximizing every action, expense, or time
commitment they make.

His ideas have produced over $7 billion of income
increases for famous business people around the
world. His past clients have included Tony
Robbins, Brian Tracy, a founder of Fed Ex, the
creators of Chicken Soup For The Soul, three
major business publications, and twelve of Inc
Magazine's top entrepreneurs of the year.

Typically -- clients pay Jay $5,000 an hour for
his time. But they receive literally tens of
g-zillions of dollars worth of
business-increasing concepts, tactics, and proven
strategies in return.

Success, Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur and
Investor's Business Daily ALL wrote articles
about Jay's mind or methods.

Now Jay would like to multiply YOUR business
income, too-- totally at his expense.

Join Jay, as my guest, on a special 2-hour
teleclass he's doing gratis.

There, he's promised to give you the same $5,000
an hour-worthy: concepts, strategies, and revenue
increasing insights to turn your ordinary
business into an extraordinary money-maker... at
absolutely no fee to you.

The size of your business doesn't really matter
to Jay. What matters is the potential for your
business to grow and prosper. The type or
industry you’re in doesn't stop Jay's concepts
from working, either.

He's helped retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers,
distributors, service companies, professionals,
high-tech, start-ups, publications, you name it.

How you currently sell or market makes no
difference, either. If you want more income,
certainty, control…and less stress, let Jay
Abraham give it to your business --- totally
gratis.

So why would Jay want to give YOU these valuable
and proven insights--- gratis? Is he insane? Is
there a catch? The answer to both questions is a
resounding "No!"

You see, the reason Jay is conducting this
extensive two-hour teleclass -- without fee to
you -- is very straightforward:

He has found that educating high energy,
growth-oriented business owners and professionals
(at Jay's expense) is good for his high priced
seminar business. And in early May, Jay is
conducting a once-a-year SuperSession, three day
live event. So he wants to introduce you to his
concepts, today.

But whether you become an attendee or not doesn't
really matter to Jay.

You see, many people listening in on the telecall
WILL become attendees and receive a six figure or
seven figure financial windfall from attending.

But some of you will prefer to simply listen,
learn and freely use Jay's ideas and strategies
to multiply your business income on your own. And
that's alright with Jay.

Why? Because, as your business revenues and
earnings start to explode --- people all around
you will ask how you've done it. You’ll tell them
about Jay Abraham. Then they’ll turn into
attendees for Jay's seminar next year and in
years to come.

Also, you may decide to take part in Jay's appealing
Home Study version of the program, instead.

Maybe now you can see that getting you "monster"
business success is in Jay Abraham’s best interest.
When you succeed, Jay succeeds even more.

Now that you understand the method to his
madness, you can see that not only is Jay Abraham
NOT insane, but he might be the sanest person in
the room. Let me explain.

First, realize that when someone of Jay Abraham's
status invests his expert time, experience, and proven
knowledge in you --- great things usually happen.

You'll vastly expand the marketing approaches you
use. The selling systems you apply will be
better. The marketplace opportunities you go
after will expand.

Your business revenue, income, success,
bottom-line wealth will ALL significantly
increase: because Jay Abraham extended himself
and acted as your mastermind marketing mentor.

You will learn to come up with breakthrough ideas
that catch your competition totally by surprise.
Jay will help make your business the recognized
innovator in your industry or market. .

All this from the two hour teleclass call Jay is
doing for us --- FOR YOU... totally gratis.

So it seems logical that the only people who do
not take advantage of this…gratis, no downside,
two-hour teleclass (containing literally
g-zillions of dollars worth of proven action
oriented, earning-certain business strategies and
concepts)... must be insane.

As a business owner, you probably have no idea
how much more revenue you are leaving on the
table in overlooked windfalls or hidden earning
possibilities.

That's why --- to ignore this rare proposition
--- could be a sign of a mental disorder.
Because… you'd have to be crazy NOT to listen to
Jay's ideas from the comfort of your office or
home telephone.

The business press says Jay goes right for the
bottom-line jugular in everything he does…and
they're right! Call him crazy, but to people like
Jay Abraham --- business building is a serious,
no-nonsense, perpetual business.

People come to Jay for breakthroughs in
marketing, strategy, moneymaking and competitive
advantage.

When you use what Jay wants to teach you ---
gratis --- in his two-hour teleclass, you could
realize the same stratospheric and impressive
financial results.

Think about it: who else is offering you
money-for-nothing: marketing lessons for no fee.

My challenge to you is a follows.

Don't just assume that your business situation,
earnings forecast or income level has to remain
the way it is. You should question the approach
you're taking, the strategy you're following and
the promotion or marketing methods you are using.

The point most people miss is that your
possibilities, assets, activities and capital can
produce far greater results---IF you improve the
way you use them.

If your business income-prospects have seemed
somewhat disappointing lately—that can quickly
change.

If you want to start generating better-than-expected
bottom line earnings every month (earnings that can
realistically multiply every year), you'll be generously
rewarded by being on Jay's teleclass call. Indeed,
while many of your competitors are forced to take
pay cuts your income can grow and prosper.

Jay wants to turn your attention to the
money-making processes that do the most for your
bottom line. .

He'll tell you what activities really matter most
and where you're wasting time and effort.

These thoughts and ideas are normally only shared
with Jay's high-paying, private clients. But this
one time --- Jay wants to share them with you ---
totally, gratis!

If your business has been stressful, erratic or
challenging lately---come on this teleclass call
and discover marketing methods that have created
business fortunes.

Realize this: propositions like Jay is making to
you don't come along every day.

So if you'd like to learn the system Jay Abraham
uses to turn ordinary businesses into true
fortune makers for their owners---be on this
teleclass call.

One more point. And it's important.

Since Jay's goal here is to convince you to
attend his seminar in early May, he ALSO wants to
send you 12 different business building gifts.
These marketing "presents" will come separately
over the next ten weeks. They are prosperity
tools, each capable of earning your business more
than the entire cost of attending Jay's event.

Jay wants to do everything in his power to pay
for your seminar attendance for you --- before
you ever have to decide, commit or attend!

You "Chan" DO IT!

- Patric Chan

GRATIS Teleconference Sign Up Instructions:

"The Most Profitable Business Building Lessons
You Could Use"

Special, Two-Hour Jay Abraham Teleclass Will Be Held:

Day/Time: Thursday at 4 pm PDT

Register at:

http://www.abraham.com/businessgifts30

Your promotional code is 1070.

You'll need this code to register. You'll receive
the special confidential dial-in number and
private pass code upon registration.

NOTE:

The call promises to share an outstanding
collection of ideas, concepts, strategies and
highly specific marketing methods that have
created business fortunes. It will help any size
or type business owner build more revenue, make
more income and enjoy greater freedom, control
and success.

There will be two replays of the conference call
as a courtesy for those of you with scheduling
conflicts. Details provided when you register at

Your promotional code is 1070. You'll need this
code to register for F*R*E*E.

motivation

--