leukemia symptoms, leukemia treatment and cure, early symptoms leukemia,
chronic leukemia Send your comment to zhion@zhion.com August 2011
chronic leukemia Send your comment to zhion@zhion.com August 2011
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THIS WEBSITE TALKS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS,
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2011. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX/ Science
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2011. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX/ Science
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LEUKEMIA JOURNAL
August 2011
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania engineered patients' own pathogen-fighting T-cells to target a
molecule found on the surface of leukemia cells. The altered T-cells were grown outside of the body and
infused back into patients suffering from late-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Two participants in the trial
have been in remission for up to a year. A third had a strong anti-tumor response, and his cancer remains in
check. [Gene therapy shown to destroy leukemia tumors, Reuters, Aug 10, 2011]
LEUKEMIA SYMPTOMS
Like all blood cells, leukemia cells travel through the body. The leukemia symptoms depend on the number of
leukemia cells and where these cells collect in the body. Thus, people with chronic leukemia may not have
symptoms. The doctor may find the disease during a routine blood test.
People with acute leukemia usually go to their doctor because they feel sick. If the brain is affected, they may
have headaches, vomiting, confusion, loss of muscle control, or seizures. Leukemia also can affect other
parts of the body such as the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs, heart, or testes.
Common acute or chronic leukemia symptoms may include:
* Swollen lymph nodes that usually don't hurt (especially lymph nodes in the neck or armpit)
* Fevers or night sweats
* Frequent infections
* Feeling weak or tired
* Bleeding and bruising easily (bleeding gums, purplish patches in the skin, or tiny red spots under the skin)
* Swelling or discomfort in the abdomen (from a swollen spleen or liver)
* Weight loss for no known reason
* Pain in the bones or joints
Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. An infection or other health problems may also cause
these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. Anyone with these symptoms should tell the doctor so that
problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
LEUKEMIA TREATMENT AND LEUKEMIA CURE
Food, Herbal Supplements
Only FDA approved medicine can be considered as a leukemia cure or a leukemia treatment. Here just
summarizes several food or herbal supplements that may be beneficial to people at risk of leukemia:
Saffron - Some recent studies demonstrate the memory-enhancing, anti-cancer and anti-oxidative activities
of saffron extracts. The spectrum of tumors saffron is against is wide including leukemia, ovarian carcinoma,
colon adenocarcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, papilloma, squamous cell carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma.
Cordyceps - Korean researchers reported cytotoxic effects of cultivated fruiting bodies of Cordyceps
militaris extracts against the proliferation of the human premyelocytic leukemia cell HL-60 via the activation of
caspase-3.
Boswellia - Researchers found extracts from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata significantly inhibited the
ionophore-stimulated release of the leukotrienes B4 and C4 from intact human polymorphonuclear neutrophil
leukocytes.
Astragalus - Roots of Astragalus species are used to treat leukemia and for wound healing in Turkish folk
medicine.
Dandelion - Taraxinic acid may have potential as a therapeutic agent in human leukemia.
Isatis indigotica Isatis indigotica has been used in Chinese medicine for anti-leukemia.
Other herbs or supplements may have beneficial effects include: mangosteen, falcarinol, ellagic acid, rhodea,
acai berry, honokiol, Black Soybean, Danggui Buxue Tang, Asparagus, yarrow, wolfberry, ru xiang,
Schisandra, bilberry gallic acid sweet potato, maitake, lingonberry, Again, these are not leukemia cure nor
treatment. But, some of them show some positive data in vitro or animal studies. Their effects on human is not
known or not clear.
Leukemia Treatment (www.cancer.gov)
People with leukemia have many treatment options. The options are watchful waiting, chemotherapy, targeted
therapy, biological therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant. If your spleen is enlarged, your doctor
may suggest surgery to remove it. Sometimes a combination of these treatments is used.
1. Watchful Waiting
People with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who do not have symptoms may be able to put off having cancer
treatment. By delaying treatment, they can avoid the side effects of treatment until they have symptoms. If
you and your doctor agree that watchful waiting is a good idea, you'll have regular checkups (such as every 3
months).
2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. Each cycle has a treatment period followed by a rest period. The
side effects depend mainly on which drugs are given and how much. Chemotherapy kills fast-growing
leukemia cells, but the drug can also harm normal cells that divide rapidly such as blood cells, hair cells, cells
that line the digestive tract, sperm or eggs.
3. Targeted Therapy
People with chronic myeloid leukemia and some with acute lymphoblastic leukemia may receive drugs called
targeted therapy. Imatinib (Gleevec) tablets were the first targeted therapy approved for chronic myeloid
leukemia.Side effects include swelling, bloating, sudden weight gain etc.
4. Biological Therapy
Biological therapy for leukemia is treatment that improves the body's natural defenses against the disease.
One type of biological therapy is a substance called a monoclonal antibody. It's given by IV infusion. This
substance binds to the leukemia cells. One kind of monoclonal antibody carries a toxin that kills the leukemia
cells. Another kind helps the immune system destroy leukemia cells.
For some people with chronic myeloid leukemia, the biological therapy is a drug called interferon. It is injected
under the skin or into a muscle. It can slow the growth of leukemia cells.
5. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill leukemia cells. The side effects of
radiation therapy depend mainly on the dose of radiation and the part of the body that is treated. For
example, radiation to your abdomen can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, your skin in the
area being treated may become red, dry, and tender.
6. Stem Cell Transplant
A stem cell transplant allows the patients to be treated with high doses of drugs, radiation, or both. The high
doses destroy both leukemia cells and normal blood cells in the bone marrow. After you receive highdose
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both, you receive healthy stem cells through a large vein. (It's like getting
a blood transfusion.) New blood cells develop from the transplanted stem cells. The new blood cells replace
the ones that were destroyed by treatment.
After a stem cell transplant, you may stay in the hospital for several weeks or months. You'll be at risk for
infections and bleeding because of the large doses of chemotherapy or radiation you received. In time, the
transplanted stem cells will begin to produce healthy blood cells.
Another problem is that graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may occur in people who receive donated stem
cells. In GVHD, the donated white blood cells in the stem cell graft react against the patient's normal tissues.
Most often, the liver, skin, or digestive tract is affected. GVHD can be mild or very severe. It can occur any
time after the transplant, even years later. Steroids or other drugs may help.
August 2011
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania engineered patients' own pathogen-fighting T-cells to target a
molecule found on the surface of leukemia cells. The altered T-cells were grown outside of the body and
infused back into patients suffering from late-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Two participants in the trial
have been in remission for up to a year. A third had a strong anti-tumor response, and his cancer remains in
check. [Gene therapy shown to destroy leukemia tumors, Reuters, Aug 10, 2011]
LEUKEMIA SYMPTOMS
Like all blood cells, leukemia cells travel through the body. The leukemia symptoms depend on the number of
leukemia cells and where these cells collect in the body. Thus, people with chronic leukemia may not have
symptoms. The doctor may find the disease during a routine blood test.
People with acute leukemia usually go to their doctor because they feel sick. If the brain is affected, they may
have headaches, vomiting, confusion, loss of muscle control, or seizures. Leukemia also can affect other
parts of the body such as the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs, heart, or testes.
Common acute or chronic leukemia symptoms may include:
* Swollen lymph nodes that usually don't hurt (especially lymph nodes in the neck or armpit)
* Fevers or night sweats
* Frequent infections
* Feeling weak or tired
* Bleeding and bruising easily (bleeding gums, purplish patches in the skin, or tiny red spots under the skin)
* Swelling or discomfort in the abdomen (from a swollen spleen or liver)
* Weight loss for no known reason
* Pain in the bones or joints
Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. An infection or other health problems may also cause
these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. Anyone with these symptoms should tell the doctor so that
problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
LEUKEMIA TREATMENT AND LEUKEMIA CURE
Food, Herbal Supplements
Only FDA approved medicine can be considered as a leukemia cure or a leukemia treatment. Here just
summarizes several food or herbal supplements that may be beneficial to people at risk of leukemia:
Saffron - Some recent studies demonstrate the memory-enhancing, anti-cancer and anti-oxidative activities
of saffron extracts. The spectrum of tumors saffron is against is wide including leukemia, ovarian carcinoma,
colon adenocarcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, papilloma, squamous cell carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma.
Cordyceps - Korean researchers reported cytotoxic effects of cultivated fruiting bodies of Cordyceps
militaris extracts against the proliferation of the human premyelocytic leukemia cell HL-60 via the activation of
caspase-3.
Boswellia - Researchers found extracts from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata significantly inhibited the
ionophore-stimulated release of the leukotrienes B4 and C4 from intact human polymorphonuclear neutrophil
leukocytes.
Astragalus - Roots of Astragalus species are used to treat leukemia and for wound healing in Turkish folk
medicine.
Dandelion - Taraxinic acid may have potential as a therapeutic agent in human leukemia.
Isatis indigotica Isatis indigotica has been used in Chinese medicine for anti-leukemia.
Other herbs or supplements may have beneficial effects include: mangosteen, falcarinol, ellagic acid, rhodea,
acai berry, honokiol, Black Soybean, Danggui Buxue Tang, Asparagus, yarrow, wolfberry, ru xiang,
Schisandra, bilberry gallic acid sweet potato, maitake, lingonberry, Again, these are not leukemia cure nor
treatment. But, some of them show some positive data in vitro or animal studies. Their effects on human is not
known or not clear.
Leukemia Treatment (www.cancer.gov)
People with leukemia have many treatment options. The options are watchful waiting, chemotherapy, targeted
therapy, biological therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant. If your spleen is enlarged, your doctor
may suggest surgery to remove it. Sometimes a combination of these treatments is used.
1. Watchful Waiting
People with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who do not have symptoms may be able to put off having cancer
treatment. By delaying treatment, they can avoid the side effects of treatment until they have symptoms. If
you and your doctor agree that watchful waiting is a good idea, you'll have regular checkups (such as every 3
months).
2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. Each cycle has a treatment period followed by a rest period. The
side effects depend mainly on which drugs are given and how much. Chemotherapy kills fast-growing
leukemia cells, but the drug can also harm normal cells that divide rapidly such as blood cells, hair cells, cells
that line the digestive tract, sperm or eggs.
3. Targeted Therapy
People with chronic myeloid leukemia and some with acute lymphoblastic leukemia may receive drugs called
targeted therapy. Imatinib (Gleevec) tablets were the first targeted therapy approved for chronic myeloid
leukemia.Side effects include swelling, bloating, sudden weight gain etc.
4. Biological Therapy
Biological therapy for leukemia is treatment that improves the body's natural defenses against the disease.
One type of biological therapy is a substance called a monoclonal antibody. It's given by IV infusion. This
substance binds to the leukemia cells. One kind of monoclonal antibody carries a toxin that kills the leukemia
cells. Another kind helps the immune system destroy leukemia cells.
For some people with chronic myeloid leukemia, the biological therapy is a drug called interferon. It is injected
under the skin or into a muscle. It can slow the growth of leukemia cells.
5. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill leukemia cells. The side effects of
radiation therapy depend mainly on the dose of radiation and the part of the body that is treated. For
example, radiation to your abdomen can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, your skin in the
area being treated may become red, dry, and tender.
6. Stem Cell Transplant
A stem cell transplant allows the patients to be treated with high doses of drugs, radiation, or both. The high
doses destroy both leukemia cells and normal blood cells in the bone marrow. After you receive highdose
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both, you receive healthy stem cells through a large vein. (It's like getting
a blood transfusion.) New blood cells develop from the transplanted stem cells. The new blood cells replace
the ones that were destroyed by treatment.
After a stem cell transplant, you may stay in the hospital for several weeks or months. You'll be at risk for
infections and bleeding because of the large doses of chemotherapy or radiation you received. In time, the
transplanted stem cells will begin to produce healthy blood cells.
Another problem is that graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may occur in people who receive donated stem
cells. In GVHD, the donated white blood cells in the stem cell graft react against the patient's normal tissues.
Most often, the liver, skin, or digestive tract is affected. GVHD can be mild or very severe. It can occur any
time after the transplant, even years later. Steroids or other drugs may help.
________________________________________________________________________________
Herbal / Dietary Supplements / Foods that may lower the risk of certain types of cancer: Avocados
Banana, Bitter Melon, Brown Seaweed, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Celery, Chlorophyll, Cordyceps, Curcumin,
Dandelion, Ellagic acid, Oldenlandia, Falcarinol, Fenugreek, Feverfew, Fish Oil, Forskolin, Galangal, Garlic,
Gotu Kola, Green Tea, Grape Seed Extract, Honokiol, Orange, Isothiocyanates, Linseed Oil, Limes, Lycopene,
Maitake, Milk Thistle, Onion, Peony, Phellinus, Quercetin, Pterostibene, Pycnogenol, Reishi, Rhubarb, Saffron,
Stinging Nettle, Sweet Potatoes, and more. (Please read the warning section)
Drugs listed in this website for chemotherapy:
Xeloda, Avastin, Herceptin, Tykerb,
___________________________________________________________________________________
WARNING
Some studies do show the anti-cancer activities of certain herbs and supplements, but most of the studies
were done in test-tube or animals. It is unclear if they are effective in human body. Further, the composition of
the products in market are not necessary the same as those in the studies.
Cancer cells can spread very quickly, while most of the herbs/supplements take long time to see the effects
(even though they are active in our body). Some targeted drug products, including monoclonal antibodies, are
cancer cell specific, they are potent and have less side effects (compared to conventional anti-cancer drugs).
Patients must discuss with their doctors for the right treatment.
Herbal / Dietary Supplements / Foods that may lower the risk of certain types of cancer: Avocados
Banana, Bitter Melon, Brown Seaweed, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Celery, Chlorophyll, Cordyceps, Curcumin,
Dandelion, Ellagic acid, Oldenlandia, Falcarinol, Fenugreek, Feverfew, Fish Oil, Forskolin, Galangal, Garlic,
Gotu Kola, Green Tea, Grape Seed Extract, Honokiol, Orange, Isothiocyanates, Linseed Oil, Limes, Lycopene,
Maitake, Milk Thistle, Onion, Peony, Phellinus, Quercetin, Pterostibene, Pycnogenol, Reishi, Rhubarb, Saffron,
Stinging Nettle, Sweet Potatoes, and more. (Please read the warning section)
Drugs listed in this website for chemotherapy:
Xeloda, Avastin, Herceptin, Tykerb,
___________________________________________________________________________________
WARNING
Some studies do show the anti-cancer activities of certain herbs and supplements, but most of the studies
were done in test-tube or animals. It is unclear if they are effective in human body. Further, the composition of
the products in market are not necessary the same as those in the studies.
Cancer cells can spread very quickly, while most of the herbs/supplements take long time to see the effects
(even though they are active in our body). Some targeted drug products, including monoclonal antibodies, are
cancer cell specific, they are potent and have less side effects (compared to conventional anti-cancer drugs).
Patients must discuss with their doctors for the right treatment.