Leukemia Specialists in Karnataka
Leukemia is cancer of the blood or bone marrow, characterized by an abnormal production of blood cells — usually white blood cells. Types include acute lymphocy…
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What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is cancer of the blood or bone marrow, characterized by an abnormal production of blood cells — usually white blood cells. Types include acute lymphocytic (ALL), acute myeloid (AML), chronic lymphocytic (CLL), and chronic myeloid (CML) leukemia.
Severe
Approximately 474,000 new cases annually worldwide; most common childhood cancer
No
Causes of Leukemia
Genetic mutations in blood cells. Risk factors: radiation exposure, certain chemotherapy drugs, genetic disorders (Down syndrome), smoking, exposure to benzene, blood disorders like MDS
Symptoms of Leukemia
Fatigue, weakness, frequent infections, unexplained weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen, easy bleeding or bruising, recurrent nosebleeds, tiny red spots on skin (petechiae), excessive sweating, bone pain
Treatment & Types of Leukemia in Karnataka
Chemotherapy (primary treatment), targeted therapy (imatinib for CML), immunotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, CAR-T cell therapy for relapsed/refractory cases
The four major leukemia subtypes are distinguished by which white blood cell line is affected and how fast they progress: acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia arise from lymphoid cells, while acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia arise from myeloid cells. ALL is the most common childhood cancer overall, AML is more frequent in adults, CLL typically affects older adults and often progresses slowly enough to be watched before treatment, and CML is notable for a specific genetic marker, the Philadelphia chromosome, that allows highly effective targeted treatment with drugs like imatinib.
Hematology/Oncology Specialists in Karnataka (0)
No specialists listed yet in Karnataka — browse all doctors instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does CML respond so well to a specific pill like imatinib?
CML cells carry a distinctive genetic abnormality called the Philadelphia chromosome that produces an abnormal protein driving cell growth, and imatinib and related drugs specifically block this protein, turning CML into a manageable chronic condition for many patients.
Is CAR-T cell therapy available for all leukemia types?
CAR-T cell therapy, which reprograms a patient's own immune cells to attack cancer, is currently used mainly for relapsed or refractory ALL and certain lymphomas, and is an evolving option best discussed with a hematologist about eligibility.
What symptoms should prompt a leukemia blood test?
Persistent unexplained fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, tiny red spots on the skin, and unexplained weight loss together warrant a complete blood count to check for leukemia.
Does leukemia only affect children?
No, while ALL is the most common childhood cancer, AML, CLL, and CML are more frequently diagnosed in adults, with CLL in particular being a disease of older age.
Can stem cell transplant cure leukemia?
Yes, for eligible patients, particularly those with high-risk or relapsed disease, a stem cell transplant can replace the diseased bone marrow with healthy donor cells and offer a potential cure.