Because of chronic lymphocytic leukemia disease sometimes developed very slowly, patients often do not experience symptoms or only faintly. Fatigue, no appetite, weight loss or night sweats could be a sign of this disease. Because of the progressive, monitoring the blood earlier in the disease only showed a slight increase in white blood cells and a bit of a decrease in red blood cells. In most cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia accidentally detected with a simple blood sample.
When the accumulation of lymphocytes becomes increasingly clear, the organs where this occurs will be more felt. The swollen lymph nodes can be felt at all levels of the lymph nodes, starting from the neck, the armpit to the groin; the spleen and the liver taking more place in the stomach. The feeling of pain in the stomach can indicate an enlarged spleen or liver.
The Treatment Of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Lymphocytic leukemia disease follow-up Chronicles
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia usually cannot be cured. The patient has suffered a little bit from this disease for many years, sometimes for ten years and without treatment. As long as the disease is not a "chronic lymphocytic leukemia active ", perhaps the treatment can be delayed. Follow up with regular blood tests are still needed. The faster the number of lymphocytes be doubled, the evolution will be less profitable. The onset of anemia or thrombocytopenia are always in need of treatment.
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy
Until now, chemotherapy with monoterapi without additional treatment is still common in chronic lymphocytic leukemia all stages.
Monoclonal antibodies
Currently, immunotherapy targeted added to chemotherapy. This immunotherapy consists of antibodies against specific antigens present on the surface of cells of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. This treatment is given intravenously every four weeks for six cycles. Today, the reference treatment for people in good physical condition, regardless of age, there is in combination chemotherapy (fludarabine and cyclophosphamide) and treatment with antibodies (immunotherapy with rituximab) (R-FC). In patients with poor physical conditions (in other words, who have other diseases at the same time), fludarabine and cyclophosphamide is not recommended and should be replaced with a better tolerated chemotherapy, namely chlorambucil or bendamustine. Recent studies also point out here that the addition of immunotherapy for chemotherapy (R-B or R-Chl) leads to better results.
New antibodies such as obinutuzumab and oftatuzumab may be in the future combined with chemotherapy in patients recently or if the patient has not responded to therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia with fludarabine combinations.
Small molecules
Small molecules called can inhibit the growth and viability of lymphocytes. Ibrutinib, idelalisib, and venetoclax can be given to people with a certain type of chromosome disorder.
A number of studies that investigate the different combination schemes with a known and new molecules are still in progress.
Stem cell transplantation
Stem cell transplantation may be an option in some cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The principle is replacing the stem cells (stem cells that form blood cells) from a patient's bone marrow stem cells in healthy patients or from a donor. Currently, stem cells taken from the blood, usually after the first production in the bone marrow is stimulated.
Before the transplant, the patient received chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be. The goal is to destroy her own stem cells. Then she got an infusion with stem cells. Because of the very severe side effects, stem cell transplantation is provided for patients younger than age 65 years, only in the case of a relapse or the prognosis is not very good.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Disease Complications
Infection
The proliferation of one kind of lymphocyte take up all the space in the bone marrow. As a result, the production of white blood cells can be reduced in dangerous, cause their numbers to decline. In this way the immune system against infections can be compromised. Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are more likely to experience an infection as a result. This infection can also be more serious. Antibiotics should not be suspended.
Autoimmune disease
Autoimmune disease in chronic lymphocytic leukemia travel occurs on about a quarter of patients. The exact mechanism is not known. That is for sure is that the immune system of patients attacking their cells themselves. For example, other blood diseases may develop, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells) and immune trombositopeni (destruction of platelets). Other autoimmune diseases have been associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
The transformation into a more aggressive disease
In rare cases, chronic lymphocytic leukemia may evolve into a form of aggressive lymphoma (Richter's syndrome).
Customize Your Lifestyle In The Disease Of Leukemia
Physical activity
Cancer is often a reason for banning the bad habit and live a healthy lifestyle. Extreme fatigue caused by chronic lymphocytic leukemia disease decreased by some sports. The exercise, made special and after the doctor's advice, strengthen endurance and strengthen your muscles. This will make the patient feel better.
Healthy food
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy does not stimulate the appetite. They often give the effects of nausea. The sense of taste disappeared and the patient lose weight. In addition to drugs against vomiting, packed in a smaller portion can be the solution every 2 to 3 hours. Eat fruits and vegetables or grain will be better than eating fatty foods. Limit drinking alcohol.
Control
Precisely because the developing disease even though slow, regular blood checks, physical examination and other tests are indispensable. Those who didn't do the controls can suddenly end in a life-threatening situation.
The risk of infection increases with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In addition, chemotherapy and immunotherapy can increase this risk even further. The prevention of infection (e.g. through vaccination) and fast handling for high fever and/or persistent can save lives.
Other signs that may indicate disease is this: gajala getting shortness of breath, fatigue, pale, bleeding, etc.