2. Leukemia Overview Cancerous cells fill up the bone marrow and prevent healthy red cells, platelets, and mature white cells (leukocytes) from being made Tumor suppressor genes are deactivated
4. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) CLL cells (mutations) multiply and replace normal white blood cells in bone marrow Spreads to blood stream Failure of bone marrow Almost never occurs in children
8. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Abnormal fast multiplying myeloid cells replace healthy cells, causing bone marrow to fail Occurs in children and adults
9. Symptoms of Leukemia May be easily bruised Night sweats Bleed excessively Feeling sick, fatigued, flu-like symptoms Nausea/swollen belly Headaches
10. Diagnosis Blood tests Bone marrow aspiration Bone marrow biopsy Blood cell counts Chest x-rays Spinal tap (looks for leukemia in CSF) Physical exam
11. Treatments Chemotherapy (main treatment) Bone marrow transplant Radiation treatments Stem cell transplant Biological therapy Clinical treatments (new medicines)