Leukemia is a disease that is an unmitigated disaster. It requires a timely response to their discovery, to maximize the chances of recovery with a specific treatment and therapy. Leukemia is basically a type of cancer of the bone marrow and blood, caused by improper cell activity. The disease can be of different forms depending on the types of blood cells responsible for their development. In addition, if the leukemia develops quickly, it is as acute leukemia, whereas if the disease develops slowly, it is called chronic leukemia.
The immediate causes of leukemia are still unknown. At the moment of medical science is unable to establish the specific causes of leukemia. However, a strong correlation between genetic factors and the development of the disease was revealed. Leukemia occurs on the background of the genetic disorder that is incomplete, the excessive production of, causing partial maturation of blood cells. In addition, the leukemia of a hereditary character, which enables the transmission of genetic predisposition to the disease has from one generation to another. Although many factors are known to contribute to the development of leukemia by itself, can not be regarded as causes of leukemia.
Despite the fact that the statistics show a higher incidence of the disease among people exposed to certain environmental risk of leukemia does not show through one of them, in particular caused. Among the environmental factors that are regarded as causes of leukemia, here are some of the most plausible:
- Smoking – Smoking is thought to increase the chances of leukemia. Although statistics show that about 20 percent of cases of acute leukemia, with smoking are, leukemia occurs in connection with people who do not smoke and therefore can not be considered a cause of leukemia on itself;
- Prolonged exposure to radiation – Radiation is the development of leukemia easier. It is believed that exposure to X-rays cause leukemia;
- Prolonged exposure to benzene show – statistics show that there is an important risk factor for certain forms of leukemia such as myeloid leukemia;
- Chemotherapy and cancer treatment – treatments for cancer and previous chemotherapy are known to facilitate the emergence and development of leukemia and may be as plausible causes of leukemia. In a few years after completion of chemotherapy and other treatments for certain forms of cancer, most people can develop leukemia.
Among the genetic factors that are considered as causes of leukemia, the most important are the following:
- Chromosome disorders – some rare genetic syndromes are known to contribute to the causes of leukemia;
- Problems of genetic immune system – a weak immune system is very likely that to facilitate the development of leukemia and can therefore be regarded as a cause of leukemia;
- Down syndrome – children born with this syndrome have a high risk of developing acute leukemia.
The list of possible causes of leukemia may continue, but it is the most common factors which are closely associated with leukemia. While some of them can be avoided, others lie in the genes and in the present can not be corrected. In the future, but thanks to medical progress, we are likely to prevent the situation, leukemia and other cancers.
