Leukemia is a cancer of the blood that affects both males and females of all ages. While the exact causes are unknown, radiation, viruses, and chemicals may play a role. Symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue and weakness. Leukemia cannot be transmitted but some may have a genetic predisposition. It is detected through blood tests, biopsies and other medical exams. Leukemia can be either acute or chronic and affects the blood and bone marrow, replacing healthy blood cells and leaving the body vulnerable to infection. While there is no prevention, treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation or stem cell transplants, and some types are curable though others can be terminal.

1. LeukemiaCaroline Yuzvyak

2. What causes Leukemia?No one is sure what causes leukemiaSome researches believe that radiation, viruses, or chemicals that are in the environment cause leukemia

3. Who gets Leukemia?Both females and males of all agesIt is twice as common in males then femalesMore than ½ off all leukemia patients are over 60The leukemia that affects children the most it ALL

4. What is the incubation period?Leukemia does not have an incubation period

5. Symptoms and SignsEarliest Symptoms are like the flu:FeverBody AchesFatigueIf the person has leukemia the patient will get worse instead of better. The patient will run a fever and get weaker, they will easily tire when they are active

6. How is it transmitted?Is it communicable?Leukemia cannot be transmitted but some people may have the gene for leukemiaIt is not a communicable disease

7. How is leukemia detected?Blood TestBiopsyOther test preformed on the liver and kidney to check themChest x-ray

8. Is it acute or chronic? Leukemia is both acute and chronicChronic Leukemia

9. Can you get leukemia again or do you become immune?People who go into remission can get leukemia againYou cannot be immune to leukemia

10. What body part are affected and how does it affect the body?Leukemia is a cancer of the bloodLeukemic cells replace white blood cells, the leukemic cells can replicate fast but cannot fight infectionIt makes the body become weaker and weaker and very vulnerable to infection

11. ContinuedStem cells mature into different kinds of blood cells. Each kind has a special job:White blood cells help fight infection. There are several types of white blood cells.Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body.Platelets help form blood clots that control bleeding.

12. Can it be prevented?No it cannot be prevented

13. What is the course of treatment?Radiation kills all of the cells in the body including the healthy cells

14. Is it terminal?Not all types of leukemia are terminalSome of the types of leukemia are curable