Leukimia: Causes
The causes, so far, are unknown to the majority of leukemias. Despite this, a known correlation between Epstein Barr virus and a form of acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ionizing radiation and disease.
It is not known why neither the mechanism of normal cells of the blood changes to a production of leukemia cells. What is known is that there is an alteration in cellular level of DNA that makes such a change occurs.
It is known that with increasing the space occupied by the tumor in the marrow, the development of stem cells and their production decline. This makes the occurrence of anemia (lack of red blood cells), a shortage of white blood cells and platelets.
Leukaemic cells can produce alterations in the body by number, by location “metastatic” or by substances released by secretion or break them.
Risk factors may therefore be less evident in other types of cancers. Despite this, we must take them into account.
The risk factor is the most proven snuff. An estimated 20% of cases of acute myeloid leukemia are caused by smoking. Carcinogens present in smoke snuff is absorbed through the lungs and then passed into the bloodstream and, through it, to many other parts of the body.
It is also known that some treatments for certain types of cancer can make the patient more prone to develop acute myeloid leukemia. These treatments are high doses of chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy.
It has noted a high frequency of acute lymphoid leukemia in children with certain genetic disorders such as Down’s syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Bloom syndrome and mutations in the p53 gene. are more prone to suffer from leukemia. Also at higher risk siblings of children with ALL and monozygotic twins.
Several studies are under way to test the relationship between leukemia and exposure to electromagnetic fields. Maybe they are a risk factor.
Having suffered a myelodysplastic syndrome (a condition preleucémica) produces a number of defects in the formation of blood cells that, after years, may develop into an acute myeloid leukemia. Patients who develop this leukemia have a worse prognosis.
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