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CANCER
FACTS - Leukemia
| Signs
and Symptoms |
Fatigue,
paleness, weight loss, repeated infections, bruising easily, and
nosebleeds or other hemorrhages. In children, these signs can appear
suddenly. Chronic leukemia can progress slowly and with few symptoms. |
| Risk
Factors |
Leukemia
strikes both sexes and all ages. Causes of most leukemias are unknown.
Persons with Down syndrome and certain other genetic abnormalities
have higher incidence rates of leukemia.
Leukemia has also been linked to excessive exposure to ionizing
radiation and to certain chemicals such as benzene, a commercially
used toxic liquid that is also present in lead-free gasoline. Certain
forms of leukemia and lymphoma are caused by a retrovirus, human
T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus-I (HTLV-1). |
| Early
Detection |
Because symptoms often resemble those of other, less serious conditions,
early diagnosis of leukemia can be difficult . When a physician
does suspect leukemia, diagnosis can be made using blood tests and
bone marrow biopsy. |
Source:
Cancer Facts & Figures 1998 - American Cancer Society
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