Tumors have been among mankind for thousands of years. Now they are more frequent because the longer the life expectancy, the more likely they are to suffer from this disease. For its part, Leukemia is known to be the most common type of childhood cancer, but what some ignore is that adults can also develop this neoplasm.
Increasingly common disease
Now, overall the leukemia represents the ninth most frequent cancer in Mexico. only in 2020 Globocan reported 6,955 new cases and 4,786 deaths from this disease. That is, of the reported cases, more than 50% of the Mexican patients died. To a large extent, it is due to the lack of early diagnosis and ignorance of these diseases that prevent timely treatment.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of some symptoms that, in combination with a blood count, can give an accurate diagnosis of this neoplasm. In addition, it should be emphasized that there are some types of leukemia that can occur in adults and there are two that stand out.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
It is a blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow and progresses rapidly, which is why it is called acute. It is called “myelogenous leukemia” because it affects a group of white blood cells called myeloid cells that normally develop into the various types of mature blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Sometimes it can affect other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), or testicles.
Although the exact cause of the AML, a series of associated risk factors are known. A risk factor is understood as any circumstance that increases the chances that a person will develop the disease.
Risk factors associated with acute myeloid leukemia
- Tobacco. Smoking is a lifestyle habit related to an increased risk of developing cancer, but it has not been clearly linked to the risk of acute myeloid leukemia.
- Exposure to chemical agents. Benzene is a chemical substance that in the past was present in industries that handle fuels. There are substances with some similarity that are present in some glues, detergents and cleaning products.
- Previous treatment for cancer. Due to treatment with some types of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- Exposure to radiation.
- Previous hematological disorders.
The average age for diagnosis of this disease is 68 years. However, unlike other countries in Mexico, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) can appear around 47 years of age. That is, 20 years before, which impacts the productivity of Mexican patients.
The American Cancer Society estimates 19,940 new cases of AML, of which there is a forecast of 11,180 deaths.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
It is a tumor that originates in lymphocytes, specifically a specific type of mature B-line lymphocytes. Cancer cells start in the bone marrow, but then spread to the blood. It is a cancer in which the risk increases with age. About 9 out of 10 LLC cases are over 50 years old.
The term “chronic” in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the fact that this leukemia usually progresses more slowly than other types of leukemia. The Chronic leukemias are more difficult to cure. Current treatments, although very effective, rarely completely eliminate the disease; however, there are treatments to help control the disease.
Although the symptoms of these cancers are very general and can be associated with other diseases, it is important to be aware of them. Before any of them, you should go to a hematologist specialist and have a blood count:
· Weightloss.
· Tiredness.
· Fever.
· Night sweats.
· Loss of appetite.
· Pale skin.
· Bruises.
· Pain in the bones or joints.
· Coagulation problems.
· Swollen lymph nodes.
Anemia.
Blood cancers should be a priority for attention. It is important to seek to reinforce their early diagnosis due to the rapid evolution they have in the body. For this it is necessary to train general practitioners in the diagnosis of these pathologies. It is important and necessary to instill in people the importance of performing a blood count at least once a year and if there is any abnormal parameter, go to a specialist in this area, such as hematologists.