Leukemia

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Leukemia

Leukemia is named after the Leukocytes, white blood cells that mutate and become cancerous before maturity. These cells reproduce rapidly, slowing down the production of white blood cells that are important in the fight against infection in the body. Leukemia also slows down the production of red blood cells that are needed to carry oxygen in the blood. Cancer cell may spread to the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, genitals, or the brain, leukemia is incurable and is the second leading cause of death for children ages 2-15 (Kagan 35). There are eight causes, five symptoms, and ten treatments for leukemia.

There are eight causes for the cancer leukemia. The first cause of leukemia is population mixing. The most common cause for leukemia in children is population mixing. Studies have repeatedly shown of several such circumstances and might explain the excess cases seen in large remote nuclear installations. The pattern of infections encountered by children mixing with their new peers may be different in such situations and could provide an extra challenge to their immune systems (Lilleyman 32)

The second cause of leukemia is seeds sown from birth. From studies of leukemia arising in identical twins leukemia may have seeds sown from birth. The disease is not inherited rather it seems that in rare instances a defect can occur in lymphocytes located in the fetus and is directly or indirectly related to the rise of leukemia in children. If one twin develops leukemia there is an increased risk of the other child doing the same (Lilleyman 33)

The third cause of leukemia is environmental radiation. Observed clusters of cases around nuclear installations have caused huge concern. While there is no doubt Heitzig 2 that large doses of radiation can cause leukemia, the unusual circumstances where this is know to happen are irrelevant to virtually all cases in child hood (Lilleyman 33)....

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  • Submitted by: cnelson
  • Date Submitted: 05/24/2008 04:29 PM
  • Category: Science
  • Words: 1969
  • Pages: 8
  • Views: 510
  • Popularity Rank: 301

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