Blood Cancer (Leukemia): What You Need to Know

Leukemia: A Comprehensive Health Guide

Leukemia, commonly known as blood cancer, is a serious disease that results from the abnormal proliferation of blood cells. This type of cancer affects bone marrow and blood cells, disrupting the body's normal functioning and weakening the immune system. Although leukemia typically occurs during childhood, it can also be seen in adults. In this article we have prepared for you, we will provide information about the types of leukemia, its causes, and symptoms.

What Are the Types of Leukemia?

Leukemia can be classified into four main types. These are as follows:

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL); This type of leukemia, generally seen in children, results from abnormal proliferation of white blood cells called lymphocytes.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML); This type, which can be seen in both children and adults, occurs as a result of abnormal proliferation of myeloid cells.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL); Generally seen in adults, this type of leukemia follows a slow progression course and is associated with abnormal proliferation of lymphocyte cells.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML); This type, which is more commonly seen in adults, is characterized by slow and continuous proliferation of myeloid cells.

What Are the Causes of Blood Cancer (Leukemia)?

Although the exact factors causing leukemia are not yet fully understood, some risk factors include:

• Genetic factors

• Exposure to radiation

• Exposure to chemical substances

• Diseases related to the immune system

• Chromosomal abnormalities

What Are the Symptoms of Blood Cancer (Leukemia)?

Leukemia symptoms may vary depending on the type of disease and its progression. However, the following symptoms can generally be observed:

• Weakness and fatigue

• Fever and infections

• Bleeding and bruising

• Weight loss and loss of appetite

• Swelling of lymph nodes

Leukemia is a disease that can be controlled with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If any of these symptoms are experienced, a specialist should be consulted without delay.

How is Leukemia Diagnosed?

Leukemia is a type of cancer that results from uncontrolled proliferation and failure to mature of blood cells. To diagnose leukemia, doctors use various methods such as patient complaints, physical examination, and laboratory tests.

First, the patient's complaints and medical history are evaluated. Symptoms such as weakness, fever, weight loss, susceptibility to infections, bleeding, and bruising may indicate leukemia. Subsequently, a physical examination is performed and organs such as lymph nodes, spleen, and liver are checked for enlargement.

One of the most important tests for diagnosing leukemia is the complete blood count. This test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood. In leukemia patients, the white blood cell count generally increases and the count of other cells decreases. However, complete blood count results only create suspicion of leukemia, and more advanced tests are needed for definitive diagnosis.

For definitive diagnosis, bone marrow biopsy is performed. During this procedure, a small bone marrow sample is taken from the patient's hip bone and examined under a microscope. The presence and type of leukemia cells are determined this way.

After leukemia diagnosis is established, additional tests may be performed to determine the stage and extent of the disease. These tests include imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and radioisotope scans.

How is Blood Cancer (Leukemia) Treated?

Leukemia treatment varies depending on the type of disease, its stage, and the patient's general health status. The main treatment methods are as follows:

• Chemotherapy

• Radiation therapy

• Targeted therapy

• Immunotherapy

• Bone marrow transplantation

How is Bone Marrow Transplantation Performed?

Bone marrow transplantation is a method used in the treatment of leukemia and other blood diseases. The procedure involves replacing the patient's bone marrow with healthy cells.

Before bone marrow transplantation, the patient receives high-dose chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy to completely eliminate the bone marrow and cancer cells. Subsequently, healthy bone marrow cells are given to the patient. These cells can be obtained from a compatible donor or from the patient's own cells.

Bone marrow cells are administered intravenously and settle in the patient's bone marrow, beginning the production of new blood cells. After transplantation, the risk of infection and complications is high until the patient's immune system is rebuilt. Therefore, it is important that patients be closely monitored during and after the transplantation process and appropriate precautions be taken.

1- From Whom is Bone Marrow Obtained?

Bone marrow transplantation is the procedure of transferring bone marrow obtained from a healthy donor to replace the patient's diseased or damaged bone marrow. Bone marrow is a type of tissue where blood cells are produced and is an important part of the body's immune system. Diseases requiring bone marrow transplantation include leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, aplastic anemia, and some immune system disorders.

Donors for bone marrow transplantation can generally be classified as follows:

Autologous donor; In this case, the patient's own bone marrow is used. Before the procedure, the patient's bone marrow is obtained and stored by freezing. Subsequently, after the patient's diseased bone marrow is eliminated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the healthy bone marrow is returned to the patient.

Related donor; The most suitable donors for bone marrow transplantation are generally the patient's siblings or relatives. This is because relatives have a higher chance of tissue compatibility. Success rates are higher with related donors.

Allogeneic donor; Bone marrow obtained from an unrelated donor is called allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. In this case, finding a suitable donor for tissue compatibility can be difficult, and the risk of complications increases when compatibility cannot be achieved.

What is Done After Bone Marrow Transplantation?

After bone marrow transplantation, patients are placed under observation and there are several important points to be considered in the process:

After bone marrow transplantation, the patients' immune system weakens and they become susceptible to infections. Therefore, it is important that patients pay attention to hygiene rules, remain alert to signs of infection, and regularly use antibiotics and medications recommended by the doctor.

After bone marrow transplantation, it is important for patients to pay attention to healthy and balanced nutrition to strengthen body resistance and accelerate the recovery process.

After bone marrow transplantation, patients must regularly visit their doctors and undergo the tests and examinations recommended by the doctor. During this period, the patient's condition is closely monitored and early detection of any complications is ensured.

In Which Situations is Bone Marrow Transplantation Applied?

Bone marrow transplantation is applied especially in the following situations:

• Leukemia

• Lymphoma

• Myeloma

• Aplastic anemia

• Immune system disorders

What is the Success Rate of Leukemia Treatment?

Leukemia is a blood and bone marrow cancer with various types. The methods used in treating this disease and their success rates vary depending on the type of leukemia, the patient's age, and health status. However, in general, significant advances have been made in leukemia treatment in recent years and success rates have increased.

Treatment methods used in leukemia treatment include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation. The purpose of these treatments is to eliminate cancer cells and restart the production of healthy blood cells. Success rates vary depending on the effectiveness of treatment methods and the patient's condition.

In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, success rates are high, especially in children. While the ALL treatment success rate in children ranges between 80-90%, this rate is around 40% in adults. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment, success rates vary between 20-80% depending on the patient's age and leukemia subtype.

In chronic types of leukemia, treatment success rates are different. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment, most patients can experience long-term remission periods and maintain high quality of life. In chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment, thanks to targeted therapies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, more than 90% of patients can achieve long-term remission.

The success rate of leukemia treatment varies depending on the type of disease, the patient's age, and health status. Due to advances in treatment methods, the life expectancy and quality of life of leukemia patients have improved. However, there are still significant challenges in leukemia treatment, and therefore early diagnosis and treatment are of great importance.

Leukemia Treatment Costs in Turkey

Turkey has succeeded in gaining international recognition through its investments and work in the healthcare field. Particularly, state-of-the-art equipment used in diagnostic and treatment procedures has brought hope for many diseases. Additionally, there has been an increase in medical tourism to Turkey.

The reasons for preference include:

• Hospitals being large, clean, spacious, and fully equipped with technological devices

• Turkish doctors being specialists in their fields, successful, and talented

• Nurses and healthcare attendants being friendly and compassionate

• Questions being answered quickly and accurately

• All personnel, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient, being patient and understanding

• Turkey offering natural and historical attractions along with vacation opportunities

• Easy accessibility

• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, food, beverages, clothing, and vacation needs being met at affordable prices

Regarding Leukemia Treatment Costs in Turkey, we can see that patients and their relatives interested in coming to Turkey are conducting research. However, at this stage, it would not be appropriate to provide definitive price information. Many factors affect the price issue, such as the type and stage of the disease, the diagnostic process, the treatment process, and the length of stay in Turkey. If you would like to obtain more detailed pricing information, you can contact us. Additionally, if you come to Turkey for treatment through our mediation, we can facilitate your visa application process with an invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.