Milena

Milena Opielowski December 15th, 2010 8-3   Leukemia **What is Leukemia?** Leukemia is a cancer that starts in the tissue that forms blood. An estimated 259,889 people in the United States are living with, or are in remission from, leukemia. (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society). This organization also states that 43,050 new cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in the United States in 2010. Every doctor and person is trying to cure leukemia, it can be cured but it takes time. It starts in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside most bones. Bone marrow is where blood cells are made. (Cancer Health Center)

**Etymology** The word **Leukemia** comes from the Greek //leukos//, which means “white”, and //aima//, which means "blood". White blood cells help fight infection. There are several types of white blood cells.

**What are the symptoms of Leukemia?** Some of the common symptoms for leukemia are fever, night sweats, frequent infections, feeling weak or tired, and bleeding and bruising easily (bleeding gums, purplish patches in the skin, or tiny red spots under the skin). Swelling or discomfort in the abdomen (from a swollen spleen or liver), weight loss for no reason, and pain in the bones or joints. Like all blood cells, leukemia cells travel through the body. The symptoms of leukemia depend on the number of leukemia cells and where these cells collect in the body. People with chronic leukemia may not have symptoms. The doctor may find the disease during a routine blood test. Chronic Leukemia: slowly progressing leukemia.

**Different Types** Chronic Leukemia and Acute Leukemia. **Chronic Leukemia** (google dictionary) is a disease the leukemia cells can still do some of the work of normal white blood cells. And is devolving slowly. When people just find out that they have leukemia, they might not have any symptoms at first. Slowly, Leukemia gets worse and worse. As the number of leukemia cells in the blood increase people get more symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes or infections. **Acute** Leukemia (Google dictionary) is when leukemia cells can’t do any of the work of normal white blood cells. And the number of leukemia cells increases rapidly. Acute leukemia usually worsens quickly. Swollen lymph nodes: Is a small circular ball that appears in the immune system. They are used to filter out and trap bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and unwanted substances, in your immune system.

**Can you die from leukemia/ or can you cure it?** You can cure leukemia is you have a blood transfusion or a bone marrow. Blood Transfusion: is when you get someone’s blood that is healthy in your veins/ artery. Bone Marrow: The fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones, the soft tissue inside your bone, and if you get a bone marrow transplant they take the soft tissue and put it in your bones.

**Interesting facts** Approximately 60% of children with leukemia have, acute lymphocytic leukemia and about 38% have acute myelogenous leukemia. Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: Acute myelogenous leukemia, is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells. (Google dictionary) Myeloid: relating to bone marrow

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// Great job, Although I think that under // //**Can you die from leukemia/ or can you cure it**// //you should have put that people do die from// //Leukemia.//