Leukemia

Every year, a few thousand people in Belgium are diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma. But what exactly do these two diseases mean?

Leukemia is a form of blood cancer in which the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells. The white blood cells can no longer develop into mature white blood cells and therefore they can no longer protect our body against diseases. The cause of leukemia is not exactly known, but there is a hereditary predisposition. Exposure to ionizing radiation and certain chemicals (benzene and smoking) can also increase the risk of leukemia.

Malignant lymphoma affects only one type of white blood cell, namely lymphocytes. In malignant lymphomas we see swelling of the lymph nodes.

In most cases the disease can be cured or delayed for a long time. But leukemia cannot be operated on. There are various treatments for leukemia such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplant and stem cell therapy.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 0000-00-00 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024