Trey Sherrill Jahari Singleton William Frank Jr.

 Leukemia is caused by the overproduction of white blood cells. This has two effects on the body. First, the white blood cells may not mature properly as they develop. They may lack the ability to kill foreign bodies in the bloodstream. This defect seriously damages the immune system and the body loses its ability to fight off infections.  Second, so many white blood cells may form that they pack the bone marrow until there is not enough room for red blood cells and platelets to develop. Without red blood cells, the body's cells do not get enough oxygen, and the condition known as anemia develops. Anemia is characterized by general weakness, headache, pale skin, and dizziness. It can become a life- threatening disorder. Without platelets, blood cannot clot properly and simple injuries can lead to serious blood loss.

 Broad symptoms of leukemia include the following:  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" Abdominal pain  Enlarged spleen, lymph nodes and liver

 In general, there are five major approaches to the treatment of leukemia:  chemotherapy to kill leukemia cells using strong anti-cancer drugs; chemotherapy  interferon therapy to slow the reproduction of leukemia cells and promote the immune system's anti-leukemia activity; interferon therapy  radiation therapy to kill cancer cells by exposure to high-energy radiation;  stem cell transplantation (SCT) to enable treatment with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; and stem cell transplantation (SCT)  surgery to remove an enlarged spleen or to install a venous access device (large plastic tube) to give medications and withdraw blood samples.

 Cigarette smoking. If you smoke cigarettes, now is the time to quit. Smoking puts you at risk for many types of cancer, including acute myelogenous leukemia. 1 in every 4 cases of AML is linked to smoking.  Exposure to benzene. Benzene is a chemical by product of coal and petroleum. It is used mainly is gasoline, however is contained in other things such as paints, solvents, plastics, pesticides and detergents. People who work in the manufacturing of these products may be putting themselves at risk for leukemia.  Previous chemotherapy or radiation treatment. People who have been treated for other types of cancer with chemotherapy and radiation therapy have a slightly increased risk factor for developing leukemia. chemotherapyradiation therapy

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