Leukemia: Adjuvant and Preventive Nutritional Supplementation

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal proliferation (production by multiplication) of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes). It is part of the broad group of diseases called hematological neoplasms.

The word leukemia, which means 'white blood,' is derived from the disease's namesake high white blood cell counts that most leukemia patients have before treatment.Frequently, these extra white blood cells are immature or dysfunctional. The excessive number of cells can also interfere with the normal function of other cells.
Some leukemia patients do not have high white blood cell counts visible during a regular blood count. This less-common condition is called aleukemia. The bone marrow still contains cancerous white blood cells, and they are disrupting the normal production of blood cells. However, they are staying in the marrow instead of entering the bloodstream, where they would be visible in a blood test.

Generally, the main symptoms of leukemia include:

• pinprick bleeds (petechiae)
• autoimmune diseases
• anemia
• fever, chills, night sweats and other flu-like symptoms
• weakness and fatigue
• loss of appetite and/or weight
• swollen or bleeding gums
• excess bleeding (from minor cut)
• neurological symptoms (headache)
• enlarged liver and spleen
• easy bruising
• frequent infection
• bone pain
• joint pain
• swollen tonsils

TYPES OF LEUKEMIA

Acute leukemia

it's characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature blood cells that makes the bone marrow unable to produce healthy blood cells acute forms of leukemia can occur in children and young adults initial symptoms include anemia, bruising, bleeding gums, fever, bone pain sometimes a outburst beginning could happen either with cerebral, pulmonary, or gastrointestinal bleeding or a severe and untreatable infection at further stages the symptoms include enlargement of liver and spleen, besides the infiltration of leukemic cells into skin, kidneys, central nervous system causing vomit, headache, nausea, drowsiness The diseases can be further classified according to the type of abnormal cell found most in the blood: Acute lymphocytic leukemia (also known as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or ALL): the most common type of leukemia in young children. This disease also affects adults, especially those age 65 and older. characterised by the overproduction and continuous multiplication of malignant and immature white blood cells (also known as lymphoblasts) in the bone marrow it is a hematological malignancy initial symptoms are not specific to ALL, but worsen to the point that medical help is sought signs and symptoms of ALL inlcude generalised weakness and fatigue; anemia; frequent or unexplained fever and infections; weight loss and/or loss of appetite; excessive bruising or bleeding from wounds, nosebleeds, petechiae (red pinpoints on the skin; bone pain, joint pains (caused by the spread of "blast" cells to the surface of the bone or into the joint from the marrow cavity); breathlessnes; and enlarged lymph nodes, liver and/or spleen Acute myelogenous leukemia (aka Acute Myeloid Leukemia, or AML): occurs more commonly in adults than in children a cancer of the myeloid line of white blood cells, characterized by the rapid proliferation of abnormal cells which accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells the symptoms of AML are caused by replacement of normal bone marrow with leukemic cells, resulting in a drop in red blood cells, platelets, and normal white blood cells the symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, easy bruising and bleeding, and increased risk of infection the early signs of AML are often non-specific, and may be similar to those of influenza or other common illnesses and include fever, fatigue, weight loss or loss of appetite, shortness of breath with exertion, anemia, easy bruising or bleeding, petechiae (flat, pin-head sized spots under the skin caused by bleeding), bone pain and joint pain and persistent or frequent infections risk factors: "pre-leukemic" blood disorders such as myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative syndromes; exposure to anti-cancer chemotherapy; ionizing radiation exposure; occupational chemical exposure to benzene and other aromatic organic solvents; and several congenital conditions may increase the risk of leukemia (e.g. Down syndrome)

Chronic leukemia

it's distinguished by the excessive build up of relatively mature, but still abnormal, blood cells typically taking months to years to progress, the cells are produced at a much higher rate than normal cells, resulting in many abnormal white blood cells in the blood mostly occurs in older people, but can theoretically occur in any age group The diseases can be further classified according to the type of abnormal cell found most in the blood: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): most often affects adults over the age of 55. It sometimes occurs in younger adults, but it almost never affects children. CLL is an abnormal neoplastic proliferation of B cells that accumulate mainly in the bone marrow and blood. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) occurs mainly in adults. A very small number of children also develop this disease. a form of chronic leukemia characterized by increased and unregulated clonal proliferation of predominantly myeloid cells in the bone marrow. CML is a clonal bone marrow stem cell disorder in which proliferation of mature granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) and their precursors is the main finding. it is a type of myeloproliferative disease associated with a characteristic chromosomal translocation called the Philadelphia chromosome. patients are often asymptomatic at diagnosis, presenting incidentally with an elevated white blood cell count on a routine laboratory test. symptoms of CML may include: malaise, low-grade fever, increased susceptibility to infections, anemia, and thrombocytopenia with easy bruising (although an increased platelet count (thrombocytosis) may also occur in CML) splenomegaly may also be seen

There is no single known cause for all of the different types of leukemia. The different leukemias likely have different causes, and very little is certain about what causes them. Researchers have strong suspicions about four possible causes:

• natural or artificial ionizing radiation
• certain kinds of chemicals
• some viruses
• genetic predispositions

Traditional treatments call for chemotherapic and cytotoxic drugs, and in the most severe cases the bone marrow transplant.
Nutritional supplements adjuvant to traditional treatments of leukemia include:

• Niacin
• Vitamin B12
• Folic acid'
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Bioflavonoids
• Copper
• Iron
• Zinc
• Herbs: mullaca, picão preto, vassourinha, simarouba, cipó cabeludo, anamu, suma, pau d'arco, cat's claw, bitter melon, espinheira santa, amargo, graviola

WARNINGS: The statements given in these pages have an informative aim and are drawned on international publications. They don't mean to give any suggestion of diagnosis or disesase treatment. Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease as well. Please contact a doctor when needed.