Cancer, Leukemia
Overview!
Cancer is a category of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division and the ability of these cells to invade other tissues in the body, either by direct growth into adjacent tissues (invasion) or by migration to distant sites in the body (metastasis). This uncontrolled growth is caused by abnormalities in DNA, such as gene mutations that control cell proliferation. One or often several such mutations can lead to uncontrolled cell division and the formation of a tumor.
A tumor can refer to any abnormal swelling of a tissue in the body and can be either malignant or benign. Only malignant tumors have the ability to invade other tissues, a capacity called metastasis. Cancer is characterized by various symptoms that depend on the affected area and the nature of the tumor. A definitive diagnosis generally requires a microscopic examination of the affected tissue obtained through a biopsy.
Once diagnosed, cancer is generally treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. If untreated, cancer causes death and is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. Many types of cancer can be treated and cured, especially if treatment begins in the early stages of the disease. Many forms of cancer are associated with environmental factors and are thus preventable. Tobacco smoking causes more cases of cancer (lung cancer in this case) than any other environmental factor.
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. Blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, a tissue present in most bones. In leukemia, the bone marrow begins to produce too many white blood cells (leukocytes), which may sometimes not function properly. These cells continuously multiply when they would normally stop. They can divide much faster than other cells. Over time, these abnormal cells replace normal leukocytes, red blood cells, and platelets. Leukocytes help the body fight infections. Red blood cells ensure good oxygenation at the cellular level, necessary for the proper functioning of the body, and platelets help stop bleeding. When these leukemic cells replace the normal ones, the blood can no longer perform its functions. As a result, bleeding and bruising (ecchymosis) can occur easily, there may be continuous fatigue, or the person may frequently become ill. There are four main types of leukemia.
The health status in acute leukemia can deteriorate rapidly. Patients with acute leukemia often feel immediately affected. In chronic forms, the progression is slow and symptoms may not be visible until the disease is advanced. These two forms - acute and chronic - are subdivided into each type of leukemia, depending on the affected cell - the lymphocyte or the myelocyte. Thus, there are:
* Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: common in children but can also occur in adults
* Acute myeloid leukemia: can affect both adults and children
* Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: the most common form of leukemia in adults, particularly affecting the elderly; children rarely get this form, typically affecting people over fifty years old
* Chronic myeloid leukemia: mainly occurs in adults.
The causes of leukemia are not well understood. It is unknown why some people develop this disease and others do not. Research has shown that some people are more predisposed than others to develop the disease. A risk factor is anything that can increase the chance of having a condition.
Risk factors for leukemia include:
* Chemotherapy treatments (used in cancer treatment)
* Exposure to certain radiation or chemicals at work
* Smoking.
Most people with this condition do not have these risk factors. Leukemia is not usually inherited, but there are rare cases regarding chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Symptoms depend on how advanced the disease is and may include:
* Fever and night sweats
* Frequent and unusual infections
* Asthenia and fatigue
* Headaches
* Bruising on the body and bleeding from the gums and rectum
* Enlarged abdomen, pain on the left side or in the right shoulder, due to an enlarged spleen
* Swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit, neck, or groin
* Decreased appetite and weight loss due to a feeling of fullness.
Chronic forms of leukemia often do not cause any symptoms until the disease is advanced.
Recommended products: depending on the stage of the disease, at least 2 pcs. of Blue Clay Powder - 1 kg, at least 4 pcs. of Blue Clay Paste - 500 gr, and 5 pcs. of Blue Clay Powder - 2 kg.