The development of tumor processes is gaining momentum every year. Most scientists in the world study the possible factors for the development of the condition and the main methods of therapy to cure patients, and all types of medical institutions are involved in preventive measures. The development of the tumor process can affect any organ or system of the body. Myelogenous leukemia - what is it? The main causes of this disease, diagnostic methods and therapy, we will consider further.
General concepts
The hematopoietic system is based on the maturation of young cells - platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells in the bone marrow. In parallel with this process, the destruction of old cells by the liver and spleen occurs.
There are as many formed elements in the blood as plasma. At the same time, the largest number falls on white blood cells - white blood cells. They are responsible for the reaction of the body to the effects of foreign agents and compounds and allow you to maintain the immune system at the proper level.
The uncontrolled production of a large number of white blood cells is called myeloid leukemia. This is a tumorous disease that is accompanied by a critical increase in the bloodstream of immature forms. Over time, the pathological forms of cells spread to all organs and systems of the body, which causes the progression of the disease.
Etiology of the disease
At this stage, unambiguous factors leading to the development of the disease are not defined. There are several versions of the occurrence of a pathological condition:
- The appearance of pathological clones is a process of development of pathological changes in the structure of stem cells. A mutation occurs during which the cells not only acquire changes in themselves, but also transmit them to other structures, creating their own clones. This condition cannot be treated with cytostatic drugs.
- Exposure to chemicals.
- The effect of radioactive radiation on the body, which occurs not only by professional necessity. For example, a history of radiation therapy to treat another tumor.
- The use of cytostatics and chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of tumors of other organs can serve as a trigger for the development of myeloid leukemia.
- Genetic diseases, heredity.
- Diseases of viral origin.
In addition, the appearance of the tumor process is influenced by gender, patient age, and exposure to radiation in the area of residence.
Chronic form of the disease
The manifestation of the symptoms of the tumor process of the blood depends on the form of the disease. The most common form is chronic myeloid leukemia. This condition is malignant.
Chronic myeloid leukemia - what is it? This is a condition that occurs due to the fact that an abnormal gene appears in the body that affects blood cells. The gene is located in the bone marrow. With the flow of blood, pathological cells spread throughout all organs.
The disease does not have an acute onset and a vivid clinical picture. It is characterized by a slow course. The danger is that this form of the disease can go into the acute phase at any period, which can result in death for the patient.
Myeloid leukemia has several stages of development:
- chronic
- stage of acceleration;
- terminal stage.
The first stage of the chronic form
Most patients are diagnosed in this stage. The onset of the disease cannot be precisely determined, since it has an asymptomatic character or mild manifestations. First, fatigue appears, heaviness in the stomach or in the left hypochondrium, shortness of breath.
During meals, patients complain of a feeling of fullness in the epigastrium. Palpation is felt an increase in the spleen. The examination is accompanied by painful sensations from the spleen, radiating to the back. A blood test determines leukocytosis, which is growing in dynamics, as well as thrombocytosis and an increase in the number of granulocytes.
Often patients go to the doctor for the development of spleen infarction. A sharp pain syndrome in its projection appears, symptoms of intoxication of the body, body temperature rises.
Acceleration Stage
At this stage, the disease has virtually no manifestations. The patient has no complaints, except for a periodic rise in temperature to subfebrile indicators and fatigue. The level of myelocytes and leukocytes in the blood continues to increase.
Basophil levels increase by a third. After this, the patient begins to worry about a feeling of heat and a desire to itch. This is due to an increase in histamine production.
Acute stage (terminal)
The development of the third stage describes a clinical picture similar to the acute course of the disease. Chronic myeloid leukemia progresses and a vivid clinical picture appears. Patients complain of such manifestations:
- sharp weakness;
- high body temperature;
- joint pain
- a sharp decrease in the weight of the patient.
When examining a patient, one can detect an increase in various groups of lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and the development of hemorrhagic syndrome. Blast crisis is the final stage of the disease, which is characterized by the following clinical manifestations:
- lymph or myeloblasts becomes 20% more in the bone marrow or bloodstream;
- a bone marrow biopsy identifies large groups of blasts;
- the development of myeloid sarcoma - a malignant tumor of immature white blood cells.
At this stage of the disease, the patient's life depends solely on the level of palliative therapy.
Acute myeloid leukemia
The clinical picture is developing rapidly, has vivid signs of the disease. Without the appointment of adequate therapy, the result may be unfavorable after a few weeks or months.
Acute myeloid leukemia - what is it? This is a malignant tumor process of myeloid blood germ. Sick cells are not able to resist infections, although this is their main function. In parallel with the increase in blast structures, there is a decrease in the remaining formed elements of the blood.
Erythropenia and hemoglobin deficiency are manifested by pallor of the skin, shortness of breath, fatigue. Reducing the number of platelets leads to an increase in the tendency of the skin to damage, increased bleeding, the appearance of petechiae and hematomas.
The first symptoms are not specific. It is very easy to confuse them with respiratory viral infections. In addition, acute myelogenous leukemia is accompanied by the progression of pain in the bones and joints.
Diagnostic measures
The success of treatment initiation depends on the speed of the diagnosis and the correct diagnosis. To determine the general condition and phase of the disease of a patient who is suspected of having myeloid leukemia, tests are carried out in the following directions:
- The analysis of peripheral blood is detailed - the level of all formed blood elements in dynamics is fixed.
- Blood biochemistry shows abnormalities in the functioning of the liver and spleen, which are caused by the development of the disease.
- A bone marrow aspirate biopsy is performed after taking the necessary material from the femur. The presence of blast forms is determined.
- Hybridization allows the identification of a mutational or abnormal chromosome.
- PCR is aimed at identifying an abnormal gene.
- Cytogenetic analyzes are aimed at determining the abnormal chromosome in the leukemia cell.
- If necessary, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound are performed.
Principles of Disease Therapy
Myeloid leukemia requires immediate treatment. The oncologist determines the treatment regimen based on the stage of the disease, its manifestations. At an early stage, a vitamin diet is prescribed, restorative drugs.
The treatment of myeloid leukemia is based on the use of drugs that can inhibit the oncogen. Fixed assets:
- "Imatinib" - the drug inhibits the activity of a protein that is produced by the myelogenous leukemia oncogen;
- "Dasatinib" - the drug is used in case of inefficiency or intolerance to the patient "Imatinib";
- "Nilotinib" - a tool with a similar effect, relating to the second generation of oncogenic inhibitors;
- "Ponatinib" is one of the new drugs, strong in its effectiveness against blast cells, but can cause serious complications on the part of the patient's body.
Also, to strengthen the immune system, patients are prescribed “Interferon”. The drug is not able to cope with the disease on its own, but it is used in complex therapy in the form of daily subcutaneous injections.
Chemotherapy is carried out using cytostatic agents. This part of the therapy is used as an additional treatment for transplantation of bone marrow cells. Hydroxycarbamide, Busulfan, Vinblastine, Vincristine, and Cytarabine are considered effective.
Oncology irradiation is carried out using high-energy rays, as well as their particles. It is applied individually, depending on the need. In myelogenous leukemia, radiation therapy is used to reduce pain in the bones and joints. Also, radiation for oncology of the hematopoietic system is used before bone marrow transplantation.
Bone marrow transplantation
Surgical intervention is a fairly common treatment, but at the same time expensive. Not every patient is able to afford it. The Kashirka Cancer Center, one of the famous institutes for the treatment of tumor neoplasms, conducts such surgical interventions, helping its patients recover.
Bone marrow transplantation is now not used as often as stem cell transplantation, which is taken from peripheral blood. There are two options for the procedure:
- Hematopoietic cells of the bone marrow of the donor are used. This may be one of the relatives, since it is rather difficult to find a suitable donor who would not be in family relations with the patient.
- Transplantation of own peripheral cells. This procedure is complicated because blast cells can be removed together with healthy cells.
The Kashirka Oncology Center not only carries out surgical interventions that have reduced patient mortality, but also uses modern methods of thermal ablation, cryothermoablation and radio wave surgery.
Conclusion
The article considered the term "myeloid leukemia". What is it, you now know. A favorable outcome is possible with a full course of treatment of the initial stages of the disease. The terminal stage involves exclusively palliative therapy. Late and malignant stages of the disease are fatal in patients.