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Leukemia
The difference between chronic granulocytic leukemia and leukemia
Leukemia is divided into acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia is further categorized into acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, while chronic leukemia is divided into chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia. Chronic myeloid leukemia, also known as chronic granulocytic leukemia, generally has a better prognosis compared to acute leukemia, with a higher cure rate and longer survival. Among these, chronic granulocytic leukemia has targeted treatment drugs such as imatinib and dasatinib.
Is leukemia treatment free?
Leukemia is a type of malignant tumor originating from hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells in the myeloid hematopoietic system. Leukemia cells differentiate and organize at the early stages of different myeloid developments, exhibiting the morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics of myeloid development. The incidence of acute myeloid leukemia in the population is 2-4/100,000, with the median age of onset being sixty-four to seventy years, making it a disease of the elderly. The incidence increases with age, accounting for 70% of acute leukemias, and representing 55%-70% of infant, 17%-20% of childhood, and 80%-90% of adult acute leukemias. Regarding the medical insurance situation in China, some leukemia conditions are eligible for major illness assistance. All leukemia treatments can be reimbursed at a certain ratio under the national health insurance, although there is no free treatment for leukemia at present, unless one participates in relevant clinical trials, which could offer some compensation, and certain treatment drugs are provided free of charge.
Early symptoms of childhood leukemia
Generally speaking, leukemia can manifest symptoms related to a decrease in all three blood cell lines. Changes in these three lines typically include an increase or decrease in white blood cells, a decrease in red blood cells leading to symptoms of anemia, and a reduction in platelets, resulting in symptoms of bleeding. Children with leukemia often experience recurrent fevers and are prone to infections, as well as bleeding gums. There may also be enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, along with pallor of the face and lips, which appear pale and bloodless.
Causes of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Chronic granulocytic leukemia, also known as chronic myeloid leukemia, is a myeloproliferative tumor originating from pluripotent stem cells. It is characterized by a specific chromosomal alteration, commonly referred to as the Philadelphia chromosome, which is formed by the translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22, resulting in the formation of the BCR-ABL fusion gene at the molecular level. Chronic granulocytic leukemia is a clonal disease originating from pluripotent stem cells. Due to a significant expansion of the progenitor cell pool, there is excessive proliferation of myeloid cells and increased granulocyte production. The slow clearance of granulocytes leads to the accumulation of granulocytes in the body, which is the main cause of the disease.
The Difference Between Acute Leukemia and Chronic Leukemia
The difference between acute and chronic leukemia lies in the maturity stage of the leukemia cells. Acute leukemia is characterized by more immature leukemia cells, while chronic leukemia cells tend to be more mature. Acute leukemia is further divided into acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Among them, acute myeloid leukemia is subdivided into eight types, from M0 to M7. Chronic leukemia is divided into two main categories: chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia. As the name suggests, acute leukemia has a rapid onset and a shorter survival period, whereas chronic leukemia develops more slowly and has a longer life expectancy.
Chronic granulocytic leukemia etiology
Chronic granulocytic leukemia is a myeloproliferative tumor originating from multipotent stem cells. It is characterized by the translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22 forming the BCR/ABL fusion gene. The Philadelphia chromosome is a characteristic change in chronic granulocytic leukemia, first discovered and named in Philadelphia in 1960. Initially, it was observed as a deletion of the long arm of the primary chromosome in dividing blood cells of patients with this leukemia. Currently, studies have shown that abnormalities in the interaction between hematopoietic progenitor cells and the stroma might be central to treating the disease. Abnormal adhesion and anchoring characteristics of progenitor cells lead to disrupted cell maturation and proliferation. Chronic granulocytic cells do not adhere to stromal cells as normal cells do, particularly lacking integrin-mediated adhesion. Additionally, the expression of the adhesion molecule lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 is also reduced in these cells. Therefore, the progression of the disease results from clonal changes. During the transformation of chronic granulocytic leukemia to acute myeloid leukemia, there is an increased rate of genetic mutations. Changes in gene expression during the progression involve various aspects, including nucleosome sugar metabolism, bone marrow myeloid differentiation, genomic instability of cell apoptosis genes, and processes related to DNA damage repair.
Is leukemia cancer?
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood system. Based on the maturity of the tumor cells, leukemia can be divided into acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia is further divided into acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, while chronic leukemia is divided into chronic granulocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. As the name suggests, acute leukemia has a rapid onset, a shorter survival period, and treatment is more challenging. Chronic leukemia, on the other hand, has a slower onset, a relatively longer survival period, and the treatment results are comparatively better.
Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia Classification
Chronic granulocytic leukemia is a myeloproliferative tumor originating from pluripotent stem cells, characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome or changes in the BCR/ABL fusion gene. Chronic granulocytic leukemia progresses through four stages: asymptomatic, chronic, accelerated, and blast crisis phases. Most patients are diagnosed after the onset of symptoms. Only a very few patients are diagnosed through routine physical examinations or other reasons when blood abnormalities are discovered. The earliest symptoms experienced during the chronic phase of the illness typically include fatigue, dizziness, and abdominal discomfort. The accelerated phase is a transitional stage before the blast crisis, marking a turning point where the disease worsens. It is often difficult to distinctly separate the accelerated phase from the blast crisis, and about 20%-25% of patients may enter the blast crisis phase directly without passing through the accelerated phase.
Symptoms of leukemia
The symptoms of leukemia can be categorized into four main types: infections, anemia, bleeding, and organ infiltration. Infections occur due to a decrease in neutrophils, leading to poor resistance of the body and can trigger infections in various parts, such as lung infections, gastrointestinal infections, urinary system infections, etc. Anemia is caused by the growth of leukemia cells, which leads to limited erythropoiesis in the bone marrow, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, poor appetite, and decreased tolerance to activity. Bleeding is due to a significant reduction in platelets in leukemia patients, making spontaneous bleeding more likely, which can manifest as bleeding from the skin and mucous membranes, organ bleeding, etc. Tumor infiltration can lead to abnormalities in other organs.
Chronic granulocytic leukemia symptoms
The clinical symptoms of chronic myeloid leukemia can be divided into two phases: 1. During the chronic phase, the earliest subjective symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and abdominal discomfort. Other symptoms may also appear such as general malaise, decreased endurance, and nausea. Some patients may exhibit signs of increased basal metabolism, such as sweating, weight loss, palpitations, and nervousness. As the disease progresses, patients may experience enlargement of the liver and spleen. An enlarged spleen can cause abdominal bloating, discomfort in the upper left abdomen, and a feeling of fullness after eating. In a few cases, bleeding may occur in the early stages. In female patients, excessive menstruation is common, and while bone pain and joint pain are less common at initial diagnosis, they can also occur. 2. During the accelerated phase, patients often exhibit unexplained low-grade fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, night sweats, and increased weight loss. These symptoms are accompanied by rapid enlargement of the spleen causing discomfort and fullness, sudden swelling of lymph nodes, clear sternal tenderness, and osteolytic changes in bones leading to bone pain. Anemia also progressively worsens. Once patients enter the blast crisis phase, they may show extramedullary infiltration symptoms such as skin nodules, testicular infiltration, abnormal penile erections, and the appearance of green tumors in the eye sockets, among other serious complications.