They are diseases that are characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of a certain type of cells that invade the bone marrow, displacing the normal cells and, progressively, invading also the rest of the body. The term "acute" defines both the rapid onset of the disease and the immaturity of the cells.
The causes of this disease, as in other cancerous processes, are not restricted to one particular triggering factor.
There are many patients who are asymptomatic in the initial stages. The symptoms that they present are those typical of anemia, such as tiredness, less tolerance to physical exertion, pale appearance, great tendency to drowsiness, palpitations, respiratory failure and even angina. Other possible symptoms are swelling of the gums (gingivitis), enlargement of the spleen and/or liver, enlargement of lymph nodes, joint pains, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
The diagnosis is made through medical questioning, physical examination and blood tests. The diagnosis will be definitive with tests of a bone marrow sample.
The treatment depends on the type of leukemia and is based on the administration of chemotherapy cycles combined with or without radiation therapy and bone marrow transplant.
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