Leukemia and leukemia: what is the difference? Reasons, diagnosis and treatment

Oncological diseases include the appearance and development of tumors, which can be located in any part of the body. In addition, they have a different histological structure.

It is important to recall that at present such diseases are substantially β€œrejuvenated” and are truly epidemic in nature. In our article, we will take a closer look at leukemia and leukemia: what is the difference, causes and symptoms of diseases.

Generally speaking, oncological diseases are expressed in the appearance of benign and malignant neoplasms. However, modern practical oncology specializes more in the therapy of the latter.

Leukemia or leukemia?

What is the difference

Both diseases are tumor pathologies of the bone marrow. Often people have a question, is leukemia and leukemia the same thing? They differ in the presence of a malignant progressive course. Diseases occur at any age, but most often affects children, as well as older adults.

About leukemia

It is worth noting that with this disease, the bone marrow initially suffers, as a result of which the formation of blood cells is disrupted. One of the most common types of pathology is considered to be acute lymphoblastic leukemia. According to WHO medical statistics, this disease occurs mainly in children aged two to five years.

About leukemia

The term in translation means "bleeding", which directly reflects the morphological nature of the pathology. Leukemia is an oncological disease in which bone marrow cells can mutate, becoming cancerous. The difference between leukemia and leukemia in people is that with the second variant of oncology, a tumor forms in one place. But at the same time, cancer cells can be present in the blood and bone marrow, sometimes also in the lymph nodes. That is, in different places in the body. Today, leukemia is considered the most common type of cancer in children.

Causes of Leukemia

Causes of Leukemia and Leukemia

Before determining the difference between leukemia and leukemia, it is worth considering these two types of disease separately. So, the causes of leukemia can be divided into four groups:

  1. Infectious-viral lesions of the body, due to which, under the influence of the virus, a healthy cell can transform into an atypical one.
  2. The influence of the factor of heredity.
  3. The action of chemicals, for example, household chemicals, all kinds of synthetic substances that are often used in the manufacture of household items. This risk group includes cytostatic drugs, especially during uncontrolled self-medication.
  4. Direct exposure to radiation.

Serve as the basis for the development of leukemia can:

  • the effect of radiation, especially if it was prolonged;
  • a disease that is associated with chromosomal abnormalities, for example, Down syndrome.

What is the difference between leukemia and leukemia, if we talk about the root causes? Oncology development is influenced by bad habits, in particular, smoking. The hereditary factor, as well as prolonged contact with toxic substances, are not discounted.

Symptomatology

Symptoms of blood cancer

In fact, leukemia begins suddenly. Initially, the patient develops weakness for no reason, a feeling of malaise, shortness of breath, headaches and dizziness, acute intoxication, increased body temperature. There may also be an increase in lymph nodes, spleen, and liver. Symptoms may vary slightly depending on the type of leukemia.

Common symptoms of chronic or acute leukemia include swollen lymph nodes, mainly in the armpits. Symptoms are not accompanied by painful sensations.

When leukemia in a patient, fatigue rises sharply, there is a high body temperature, pain in the muscles and joints. In addition, there is weakness for no reason, nosebleeds and bleeding gums. The patient may complain of the frequent occurrence of foci of herpes. There is bronchitis and pneumonia.

Considering the symptoms of leukemia and leukemia, you can find a lot in common. In both cases, an enlargement of the spleen and liver occurs. This condition is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the left or right hypochondrium. Against the background of intoxication of the body and an increase in cancer cells, vomiting, nausea, confusion and even shortness of breath occur. Common signs of leukemia and leukemia are:

  • headache;
  • violation of coordination in space;
  • decreased visual acuity;
  • cramping and cramping;
  • swelling of the soft tissues;
  • pain in the scrotum in men.

The clinical symptoms of leukemia do not necessarily indicate the presence of blood cancer. It is most correct to talk about the disease only after a series of microscopic and immunohistochemical examinations.

Diagnostics

Determination of the nature of the tumor

Oncologists initially conduct a visual examination of the patient. Also, the patient must undergo the following tests:

  • general and biochemical blood analysis;
  • bone marrow examination;
  • special immunological research.

In addition, with leukemia, a cytogenetic examination is carried out, as well as a molecular genetic study, which will reveal the stage of development of the disease. Additionally, doctors prescribe a cerebrospinal fluid analysis to determine the tumor cells in it.

In order to diagnose leukemia, a general blood test and bone marrow puncture are performed. In severe cases, an additional biochemical diagnosis is required, which allows you to determine the nature of the tumor.

What is the difference between leukemia and leukemia in terms of diagnosis? Of course, in both cases, oncologists prescribe an examination and a blood test. In-depth tests can be used to make an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment

Blood cancer treatment

A complex technique is used for the treatment of leukemia. Depending on the form of the disease, treatment tactics vary. The patient needs chemotherapy, special care, a positive psychological atmosphere. In drug therapy of leukemia, antitumor drugs are used, such as: Prednisolone, Mercapturin, Dopan, or Myelobromol. The main methods for treating leukemia are:

  • chemotherapy;
  • radiotherapy or radiation therapy;
  • stem cell transplant.

During the medical treatment of leukemia, drugs such as Prednisone, Methotrexate-Ebeve, Daunorubicin or L-asparaginase are used. As you can see, the approach to treating these diseases varies.

The difference between leukemia and leukemia

The difference between leukemia and leukemia

In medical practice, the terms "leukemia" and "leukemia" are often considered synonymous with words. Both forms of deadly disease are often called blood cancer. However, what is the difference between leukemia and leukemia?

A significant difference still exists. With leukemia, a systemic generalization of the process occurs. With leukemia, lymphoid tissues are affected.

The last stage of cancer is metastases, which appear in the brain. If pathology is ignored, the patient’s death is considered the outcome of the process. To prevent this, doctors immediately prescribe chemotherapy immediately after determining the cancer cells. This treatment should block the formation and destroy oncological rudiments.

Leukemia affects the inland brain a second time. With leukemia, it is in it that the primary development of the disease occurs. Still, what is the difference between leukemia and leukemia? In the primary focus of the formation of pathology.

The source of leukemia is one cell that has mutated into cancer. Until today, the cause of this process has not been determined, due to which the disease is not always treatable.

Important nuance

What is the difference between leukemia and leukemia

What is the difference between leukemia and leukemia? A characteristic feature of leukemia is that with this disease, the formation of a local malignant tumor does not occur, as in the case of other malignant diseases. With blood flow, cancer cells spread throughout the body, affecting critical internal organs and systems.

Regardless of which disease was diagnosed, leukemia or leukemia, they require urgent comprehensive treatment. Only on its timeliness depends on how favorable the outcome of the treatment process will be. According to oncologists, the sooner you start therapy, the higher the chances of recovery. Despite many arguments that these diseases vary, some doctors consider leukemia and leukemia synonymous. Regardless of which disputes are being conducted, these pathologies should undergo not only a long examination, but also high-quality treatment.


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