Lymphoid leukemia is a type of cancer characterized by changes in the bone marrow that lead to overproduction of lymphocytic lineage cells, mainly lymphocytes, also called white blood cells, that act in the defense of the body.Learn more about lymphocytes.
This type of leukemia can be divided into two types:
- Lymphocytic leukemia is generally more common in people who have been exposed to large amounts of radiation.
- Who have been infected with HTLV-1.
- Who smoke or who have syndromes such as neurofibromatosis.
- Down syndrome.
- Or Fanconi anemia.
Early symptoms of lymphocytic leukemia may include
It is generally easier to identify acute lymphocytic leukemia because symptoms appear at about the same time, while in chronic symptoms appear isolated and can therefore be a sign of another problem, delaying diagnosis.chronic lymphocytic leukemia, symptoms may not even exist, are only identified due to changes in blood formula.
For example, to make the diagnosis as soon as possible, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as one of the symptoms appears to request a blood test and identify if there are any changes that need to be evaluated.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia, known as ELA, is the most common type of cancer in children, but more than 90% of children diagnosed with ELA and receive appropriate treatment get complete remission of the disease.
This type of leukemia is characterized by the presence of exaggerated lymphocytes in the blood and the rapid onset of symptoms, allowing early diagnosis and treatment, usually performed by chemotherapy.
Diagnosis of lymphoid leukemia is made by an oncologist or hematologist through the symptoms presented by the patient and the result of the blood formula and differential count in the blood smear, in which many lymphocytes are controlled and, in some people, a decrease in concentration.hemoglobin, red blood cells or decreased platelets can still be perceived.Learn how to interpret the blood formula.
Treatment is indicated by your doctor based on the type of leukemia, which may be done by chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation, for example.Generally, in the case of acute leukemia, treatment is more intense and aggressive in the first few months, reducing by more than 2 years.
In the case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, treatment can be done for life, because depending on the degree of development of the disease, it will only be possible to reduce symptoms.
Understand the difference between this type of leukemia and myeloid leukemia.