Aside from the potential physical late side effects of treatment, cognitive issues are also a risk and concern for survivors of leukemia. Memory and concentration may be negatively affected as a result of treatment, sometimes referred to as “ chemo brain ” or “chemo fog.”
Full Answer
How does leukemia affect the body?
Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects blood cells. Since blood cells travel throughout the body to every tissue, this type of cancer can have a significant effect on your health. Leukemia treatment focuses on destroying the cancer cells that are taking over the normal function of your blood cells.
What is leukemia and how is it treated?
Leukemia is a type of cancer that causes the bone marrow to produce abnormal blood cells. The disease can affect any type of blood cell, but most commonly affects WBCs that help protect against infection and illness.
What are the long-term effects of leukemia treatment?
In one 2018 study, about one-third of people treated for leukemia reported long-term side effects of treatment. Like short-term effects, the most common long-term fallout of leukemia treatment was hair loss and fatigue. But as cells in your body are destroyed, other long-term effects could appear over time, including:
What are the side effects of AML and chemotherapy?
Common Side Effects. Low blood cell counts. AML decreases the production of normal blood cells. In addition, chemotherapy is toxic to both normal blood cells and AML cells. The normal blood cells are eliminated from the marrow along with AML cells.
Does leukemia affect mental health?
You can have emotional and social effects as well as physical effects after a CLL diagnosis. This may include dealing with difficult emotions, such as sadness, anxiety, or anger, or managing your stress level.
What are the side effects of treatment for leukemia?
Some common side effects of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia include:An increased risk of infection. ... Breathlessness and looking pale. ... Bruising, bleeding gums or nose bleeds. ... Feeling or being sick. ... Tiredness and weakness. ... Hair loss. ... Sore mouth and ulcers. ... Diarrhoea.More items...
What does leukemia do to the brain?
Leukemia can spread to the central nervous system Leukemia cells can spread to the central nervous system and build up in the fluid surrounding the spine and the brain. This can cause symptoms like headaches, seizures, balance problems, and abnormal vision.
Does leukemia make you depressed?
Depression and anxiety are common responses to a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. You may feel overwhelmed by your cancer or that your life has been overtaken by treatment.
What are long term side effects of leukemia?
Lung damage (scarring, inflammation, acute respiratory distress syndrome, lung failure) Infertility, including premature ovarian failure and premature menopause in women and low testosterone levels and sperm counts in men. Osteoporosis (low bone density) Hearing loss.
Which complications are the three main consequences of leukemia?
People with leukemia are at significantly increased risk for developing infections, anemia, and bleeding. Other symptoms and signs include easy bruising, weight loss, night sweats, and unexplained fevers.
Can leukemia cause neurological problems?
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia, but neurologic complications arising from direct leukemic involvement of the nervous system are reported in only 1% of patients with CLL.
Does leukemia affect your memory?
A small percentage of patients have long-term effects known as "chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment." The symptoms include a mental fogginess and effects on: Memory.
Does leukemia affect the central nervous system?
Acute myeloid leukemia and the central nervous system. One of the rarer complications of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the involvement of the central nervous system (CNS). This complication can occur in both children and adults.
How does leukemia affect you socially?
Your family can have emotional and social effects after a cancer diagnosis. This may include dealing with difficult emotions, such as anxiety or anger, or managing stress. Sometimes, patients and their families have problems expressing how they feel to their loved ones, or people do not know what to say in response.
Is depression a side effect of chemotherapy?
Depression is common in patients with cancer and it has been suggested that its prevalence could be related to the effect of chemotherapy in stopping the generation of new neurons in the brain, known as neurogenesis.
How can leukemia affect your life?
It typically affects WBCs, which are responsible for protecting against infection and illness. Leukemia and its treatment affect many areas of the body, including blood, bones, the heart and other muscles, and the digestive system. Leukemia also affects the immune system, increasing the risk of infections.
What are the indirect effects of leukemia?
• Direct effects of leukemia on the nervous system include parenchymal, skull base, and meningeal metastases. • Indirect effects of leukemia on the nervous system include cerebrovascular complications, such as stroke or hemorrhage from hyperviscosity syndromes, ...
Is leukemia a neurologic disease?
Leukemia is defined as a group of neoplasms characterized by circulating malignant cells arising from granulocytic or lymphoid precursors. Acute leukemias are distinguished by the presence of immature cells, whereas chronic leukemias are characterized by the presence of mature-appearing cells and are more indolent than acute leukemias. The primarily hematogenous nature of leukemia and its aggressive treatment poses a risk for significant neurologic morbidity. With increased recognition of the potential for the development of neurologic disorders associated with leukemia, strategies (such as central nervous system prophylaxis for acute lymphocytic leukemia) have been utilized to prevent neurologic morbidity. However, neurologic syndromes may be unavoidable. Leukemia can cause neurologic morbidity in a variety of ways. Direct effects of leukemia on the nervous system include the formation of mass lesions (chloroma), direct parenchymal infiltration, conversion of chronic lymphocytic leukemia to a non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Richter syndrome), or, most commonly, meningeal metastasis. Cerebrovascular and hematologic manifestations include thrombosis, hemorrhage, and hyperviscosity syndromes resulting in vascular occlusion by leukemic cells. Hemorrhage may also be in direct toxicity due to treatment-related thrombocytopenia. Toxic and iatrogenic complications include effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the unique effects of bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, infection, and about disturbances.
How to reduce leukemia symptoms?
Physical Activity. Studies show that exercise helps reduce depression and anxiety for adults undergoing induction therapy for acute leukemia. Although intense physical activity may not be appropriate or beneficial, light exercise — like walking and stretching — can help: Maintain your mobility. Reduce aches and pains.
Why is it so hard to live with leukemia?
Several factors make living with leukemia particularly difficult for younger people. Cancer treatments can disrupt normal developmental experiences, including school and social activities. Younger people also haven’t had as much life experience to gain the tools necessary to navigate difficult emotions.
What are the symptoms of cancer?
Tiredness. Weight loss or gain. Anxiety symptoms include: Nervousness, restlessness, or tension. A sense of impending danger. Increased heart rate. Rapid breathing. Trouble sleeping. After a cancer diagnosis, it’s crucial to have a plan for your mental and emotional well-being.
How many people with cancer have depression?
In fact, it’s estimated that 1 in every 4 people with cancer has clinical depression and about 15 percent of people with cancer have both anxiety and depression. Leukemia is a type of blood cancer in which blood stem cells develop abnormally and excessively in the bone marrow. Leukemia causes symptoms when abnormal white blood cells begin ...
What are the symptoms of leukemia?
Along with physical symptoms — such as pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath — people living with leukemia can also experience psychological symptoms like depression or anxiety. Symptoms of depression may include: Difficulty focusing or making decisions. Feeling hopeless or empty.
What is MyLeukemiaTeam?
MyLeukemiaTeam is the social network for people with leukemia and their loved ones. More than 8,300 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with leukemia.
Can depression cause leukemia?
Depression and anxiety are medical conditions, just like leukemia. While temporary periods of sadness may be unavoidable at times, clinical depression can become a barrier to treating leukemia and healing your body.
Damaged blood vessels
Leukemia may damage blood vessels throughout the body, including those that affect blood flow to a person’s brain.
Brain metastases
As with other cancers, leukemia can metastasize or spread to other parts of the body. In some cases, it can spread to the brain or spinal cord.
Treatment side effects
Chemotherapy and radiation are treatments for AML. Although they can kill cancer cells, they can also damage healthy cells.
Complications of AML
Classic AML symptoms occur because a person’s blood and immune system are not working normally. They include:
Complications of AML spreading
Leukemia can spread to many areas of a person’s body. These include their brain and spinal cord, skin, and gums.
Complications of AML treatment
Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for AML. A person may also take targeted drugs, undergo radiation, or have a stem cell transplant.
What are the effects of leukemia treatment?
Heart or thyroid problems. Tissue damage and other physical effects. Cognitive effects. Late effects that arise as a result of leukemia treatment vary depending on the type of treatment received and the person’s age and gender.
How does leukemia affect memory?
Aside from the potential physical late side effects of treatment, cognitive issues are also a risk and concern for survivors of leukemia. Memory and concentration may be negatively affected as a result of treatment, sometimes referred to as “ chemo brain ” or “chemo fog.” Children with AML and ALL may be treated with therapies that affect the central nervous system (CNS), such as methotrexate or total body irradiation. Their effects on the CNS may negatively affect learning in school and the ability to retain information for children who survive cancer.
What is the MyLeukemiaTeam?
Long-term side effects of leukemia treatment can take a toll on one’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being, so it helps to have extra support. MyLeukemiaTeam is the social network for people with leukemia and their loved ones . On MyLeukemiaTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with leukemia.
What are the side effects of radiation?
Other physical late side effects include vision problems (such as cataracts), osteoporosis, dental issues (such as excessive cavities), and hearing loss.
What is the risk of CML?
Additionally, men with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) have displayed an elevated risk for developing certain cancers after treatment, including oral cancer, prostate cancer, and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.
How does radiation help with leukemia?
One of the primary treatments for leukemia is radiation therapy, which acts by causing damage to cells. The cancer cells are sensitive to this damage and die as a result. Although radiation may be successful at treating the original disease, normal healthy cells are also affected by radiation, potentially leading to late side effects. Total body irradiation (TBI), in particular, is associated with more severe side effects because this type of treatment causes damage to more of the body’s cells.
What happens if you are in remission after leukemia?
This means that cancer cells can no longer be detected in the body. Although remission is a milestone that people in leukemia treatment hope to reach, it is not the end of the road. There may still be low levels of cancer cells that are present but cannot be detected. These residual cells (or residual disease) pose a risk for relapse, which occurs when cancer reappears after a period of time.
Managing fatigue
People with leukemia commonly experience extreme fatigue that affects their ability to perform regular everyday activities. The following may help a person to cope:
Managing infection risk
People with leukemia may experience low WBC counts that make them more susceptible to infections. Some ways to limit the risk of infection include:
Managing side effects of treatment
Although necessary, leukemia treatment may cause side effects. One primary treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy, which may cause:
Types
Leukemia can be either acute or chronic. Acute leukemia progresses much faster than chronic leukemia and requires more immediate treatment.
How does leukemia affect the body?
As the leukemia cells die, they break apart and release their contents into the blood. This causes a change in certain blood chemicals that may damage the kidneys and other organs. Tumor lysis can be prevented by giving the patient extra fluids to increase urination to flush the body of these substances.
What is the treatment for AML?
Most AML patients are treated with an anthracycline, like daunorubicin. Anthracyclines have been associated with increased risk for heart muscle injury or chronic heart failure. Heart disease may not become apparent until many years after therapy ends. Stem cell transplantation is used to treat some patients with AML.
Is melanoma a long term or late effect?
It has been associated with long-term or late effects, including infertility, thyroid dysfunction, chronic fatigue and risk for developing a second cancer (lymphoma; melanoma of the skin; or cancer of the tongue and salivary glands, central nervous system, bone, soft tissue and thyroid gland).
Can cancer therapy cause side effects?
Side Effects. Both cancer therapy and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can sometimes produce side effects. For most patients, side effects are temporary and subside once the body adjusts to therapy or when therapy is completed. For other patients, side effects can be more severe, sometimes requiring hospitalization.
Does AML cause long term effects?
Treatment for individuals who have AML sometimes causes effects that continue after treatment ends (long-term effects) or develop much later in life (late effects). Various factors can influence the risk of developing long-term or late effects, including. Gender and overall health.
When do children start showing signs of leukemia?
Signs of leukemia in children start showing at an early age. Consequently, children are especially susceptible to criticism and inheriting self-limiting beliefs from their family.
What are the mental triggers of breast cancer?
While modern medicine focuses on genetic factors, what about the possible mental/ emotional triggers? Consider aspects like over-caring for others and ignoring yourself, long-held anger and resentment, and even inability to love or forgive.
What does it mean when you feel life blood?
When the “life-blood” flows strongly, we feel vital and joyous, full of enthusiasm and inspiration. However, when a person is afraid of life, feels unsafe, does not give expression to their ideas, becomes withdrawn and experiences a lack of joy, they may be prone to blood-related illnesses.
Is pancreatic cancer deadly?
Pancreatic cancer is both rare and deadly. So what do issues like the inability to accept love or managing your ego have to do with triggering pancreatic cancer? Here’s what renowned authors and holistic practitioners like Louise Hay, Caroline Myss, Rudiger Dahlke and Thorwald Dethlefsen have to say.
Is leukemia a mysterious disease?
Leukemia & Lymphoma are mysterious diseases, indeed. So, what is the role of mental/ emotional aspects like relationships with family/ society, and particularly long-held resentment in triggering cancers of the blood? Provocative insights from renowned authors and healers: Louise Hay, Caroline Myss, Rudiger Dahlke and Thorwald Dethlefsen.
How to treat leukemia?
Treatments for leukemia can include: 1 Chemotherapy 2 Stem cell transplantation 3 Targeted therapies — drugs that attack cancer cells by specifically targeting the abnormal proteins they need to survive. 4 Other drug therapies — arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid, for example, are anticancer drugs used in treating a form of AML called acute promyelocytic leukemia. 5 Radiation therapy — uses high-energy rays to damage or kill cancer cells and may be delivered to treat adult ALL that has spread or may spread to the brain or spinal cord.
What is the best treatment for leukemia?
Cancer vaccines, which boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer, are being studied for use in leukemia. CAR T-cell therapy , which uses modified immune system T cells to better target and kill tumor cells, has achieved impressive results in trials involving children and adults up to age 25 with relapsed ALL.
What is the name of the leukemia in which the bone marrow makes too many immature lymphocyte
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) ALL is a type of leukemia in which the bone marrow makes too many immature lymphocytes. Similar to AML, the white blood cells can be high or low and oftentimes the platelets and red blood cells are low. This form of leukemia is more common in children than adults.
What is the second most common type of leukemia?
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) CLL is the second most common type of leukemia in adults. It is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many mature lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).
What is the second phase of chemotherapy?
The second phase, known as post-remission or consolidation therapy, seeks to kill leukemia cells that remain after remission induction therapy. This phase may involve chemotherapy and/or a stem cell transplant. Additional treatments may also be necessary.
What is the name of the cancer that results in large numbers of abnormal or immature white blood cells?
Leukemia is a cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues that results in large numbers of abnormal or immature white blood cells. The main types of leukemia are:
What is the treatment for CML?
The treatment for CML has been revolutionized by the advent of the oral medication imatinib and the second- and third-generation drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). These are oral medications that work to inhibit the function of the BCR-ABL protein. Many patients take these medications for the rest of their lives. In rare instances, a patient may require a stem cell transplant.
