Luekemia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Luekemia - Essay Example Acute leukemia refers to the rapid multiplication of immature blood cells hampering the bone marrows to function efficiently. On the other hand chronic leukemia is characterized by the excessive production of mature yet abnormal blood cells which results in the presence of many white cells in the blood. Acute leukemia is also relatively slower to progress than chronic leukemia and may not present any symptom (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 3-4). Up to date, there is still little knowledge about the exact causes of leukemia. Physicians however, explain that a person's environment has a lot to do with his/her chances of having this disease. Based on studies people who are exposed to high levels of radiation are in a greater risk of contracting this disease. Natural or ionizing radiation caused by atomic bomb explosion, nuclear power plant accidents, and other medical treatments increases the risk of leukemia (Medicine Net.com 3). Exposure to certain chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde has also been linked to this type of cancer. Some forms of leukemia are caused by viruses like the chronic lymphocytic leukemia which is caused by the human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (Medicine Net.com 3). Four techniques are commonly used to treat leukemia. Chemotherapy is the most common treatment where a drug or combinations of drugs are used to kill leukemia cells.