Identifying the Causes of Leukemia
Proper formatting (12-pt. Times New Roman, double spaced, 4-5 pages, single-sided with 1” margins on all sides; cover page). Proper use of citations (using APA style, with in-text citations and works cited list attached to the back of paper) please note automatic deduction of 100 points (i.e. all points) if no citations are used. Any question response that features uncited information will receive zero points. Paper answers each of the questions included in the case study succinctly and accurately (please find specific notes from your instructor on your paper) *note that no points will be awarded for any response to a question that lacks a citation.
What is the etiology for this disease? Who primarily gets it and why? 15 points
How is this disease diagnosed and what are the necessary laboratory findings specific to this disease? Please include blood work, radiology and necessary clinical tools for proper diagnosis in the medical community? 10 points
Are there any significant signs and symptoms common to this disease? Are there similar disease’s that might get confused with this disease? Compare how you would rule in or out the difference’s between the different diseases similar to this one? You must write this in essay format and then you can include a grid for compare and contrast. 25 points
Is there a genetic component to this disease? And what is the likelihood that it will be inherited? 10points
How is this disease commonly treated in the medical community and what is the prognosis after treatment? 15 points
Leukemia
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Leukemia
Causes of Leukemia
Leukemia is a cancer of the tissues that form the blood in the human body. These include the bone marrow and lymphatic system. The exact cause of leukemia is unknown but has been linked to genetic and environmental factors (Inaba, H. et al., 2013). Some blood-forming cells undergo mutation in their genetic material, and the effect is continuous growth and division, leading to uncontrolled cell production. Over time, these unhealthy mutated cells become more than the normal blood cells in the bone marrow leading to fewer healthy blood components and finally causing the different signs and symptoms of leukemia. However, to understand the causes and the population most susceptible to leukemia, one must clearly understand its types.
Leukemia is generally classified according to the type of cells involved and the speed at which it progresses. It can either be lymphocytic or myelogenous leukemia according to the type of white blood cells involved (Hallek, M. et al., 2018). Lymphocytic affects the lymphoid cells that form these lymphatic tissues. In contrast, myelogenous affects the myeloid cells that form the red and white blood cells and the platelets producing cells. Leukemia can either be acute or chronic. Acute leukemia requires aggressive and timely treatment since the abnormal, immature cells are also multiplying rapidly hence worsening the disease quickly. In chronic leukemia, the cells are more mature, can function normally for a while but slower, making it go unnoticed for years.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common in young children, and it is genetic; this is why it is common in young children (Inaba, H. et al., 2013). However, adults can also get this type. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia is the most common acute type in adults (Short, N. et al., 2018). It is associated with smoking and advancement with age. The predisposing factors, therefore, explain why it is most common in adults. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is most common in adults (Hallek, M. et al., 2018). since the risk factors are increment in age, family history of blood and bone cancers, and exposure to certain chemicals. Chronic myelogenous leukemia is also common in adults (Schwartz, L. et al., 2019). The situation is so because the progression occurs over time.
Diagnosis of Leukemia
There are various methods through which a doctor can diagnose leukemia (Juliusson, G., & Hough, R., 2016). First is through physical exams, the doctor looks for the obvious signs of leukemia while doing a general physical exam. Since this is not enough to make a diagnosis, various laboratory tests are introduced. Complete blood count and white blood cells differential are tests done to determine the number, maturity, and proportion of different blood cells. They may provide the first confirmation of leukemia since the results are most likely to show elevated white blood cells or red blood cells. A blood smear mostly follows up the complete blood count results with odd numbers of blood cells or unclear results. Therefore, it is done to check for immature cells or cells whose morphology looks different from normal cells. Finally, a bone marrow aspiration or biopsy examines the tissue in the bone marrow where leukemia is suspected. This test is important since it forms a baseline for the bone marrow cells and will show the changes happening throughout the management.
Other laboratory tests that may be done include lumbar puncture to rule out the involvement of the central nervous system and cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, Immunophenotyping is done to determine the type of leukemia and cytogenetic tests that is chromosome analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization to look at the structure and number of chromosomes. Molecular testing and DNA sequencing may also be done to detect gene mutation and help in management.
Imaging tests like computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and chest x-rays are all done to check for signs like tumors and masses of cells in the chest. In addition, ultrasound specific to the body parts help in evaluating the health state of different organs such as the spleen, liver, and spleen to rule out metastasis.
Signs, Symptoms, and Differential diagnosis
Juliusson, G., & Hough, R., 2016, concludes that the signs and symptoms are specific to the type. Acute leukemia signs are related to not having enough normal blood cells and include: general body weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin due to low red blood cells. In addition, they tend to bleed and easy bruising due to lack of platelets and fever, and infections due to lack of white blood cells (Inaba, H. et al., 2013) (Short, N. et al., 2018). On the other hand, chronic leukemia may show no early signs or present milder forms noticed with acute leukemia (Hallek, M. et al., 2018). Other symptoms common to both are night sweats, unexplained weight loss, vomiting, bone, and joint pain, enlarged lymph nodes, and confusion and seizures when the brain and central nervous system are invaded by excess cells.
Due to the ge...