In the News:  Musician fights leukemia and wins. in CNN.com September 17, 2003

Keyboardist Kevin Hearn of the band Barenaked Ladies was diagnosed with leukemia at the same time one of the band’s songs, “One Week”, was climbing the charts in 1998.  Fortunately, the bone marrow transplant was a success and today Kevin is back with the band.  We hear about Leukemia, but what is this disease?

Leukemia is the name given to a group of cancers affecting the blood cells⁷.  In simple terms blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets ( see insert box).  In leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells called leukemia cells.  Over time these abnormal white cells crowd out normal blood cell. In the process normal blood cells can not perform their function in the body, which includes fighting infection^{2 4}.  Large numbers of leukemia cells in the bone marrow may also interfere with production of all normal blood cells².

Leukemia can be divided into two types depending on how quickly the disease develops. Chronic leukemia develops slowly with the leukemia cells being able to function almost normally at first. Over time, the number of leukemia cells rise in the blood and symptoms of the disease occurs slowly. In Acute leukemia, leukemia cells cannot perform normal functions. These cells grow very rapidly in number and the disease worsens quickly⁴.

Leukemia can also be defined by the type of white blood cell affected.Under normal circumstances both lymphoid and myeloid cells can produce white blood cells. If leukemia cells affect the lymphoid then the leukemia is known as lymphocytic.  Leukemia affecting the myeloid cells is called myelogenous⁴.

At this time scientists do not fully understand the cause of leukemia, although risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing leukemia is understood.  These risk factors are^{2 4}:

• Exposure to very high levels of radiation
• Working with the chemicals benzene and formaldehyde
• Genetics
• Chemotherapy
• Downs syndrome
• Human T cell leukemia virus – I (a non contagious virus)
• Myelodysplastic syndrome (a blood disease)

Symptoms of leukaemia may be varied and be seen as^{2 4}:

• General fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Increased sweating at night
• Feeling of fullness in the upper left abdomen due to an enlarged spleen
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin
• Frequent or persistent infections
• Anemia
• Pain in joints or bones
• Headache
• Ease of bruising and bleeding

Only a qualified physician can diagnosis whether the above symptoms are due to leukemia.  Diagnosis is made through the combination of various exams and tests such as physical exam, blood test, biopsy of bone marrow, spinal tap, and chest x-ray.  A biopsy uses a needle to remove some bone marrow cells from the hipbone or another large bone. These cells are then examined under a microscope to see if they are cancerous. A spinal tap is a procedure where fluid is removed from around the brain or spinal cord. The fluid is then analysed for leukemia cells or other abnormalities⁴.

If leukemia is indicated, a patient will be referred to a specialist in  treating leukemia.  Treatments used will depend on the type of leukemia, patient’s age, symptoms, and general health⁴.  Treatment options include:

• Chemotherapy
• Biological therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Bone marrow transplantation

Treatments are having a positive impact on fighting the disease.  Survival rate for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is 1 to 20 years². In children with acute lymphocytic leukemia over 80% survive for greater than 10 years⁵.

Research is focusing on optimizing therapy through studying the effect of the drugs on biochemical, physiological and genetics factors.  Genetic studies are also trying to understand what initiates luekemia cells to grow.  New specific therapies are also being tested⁶.

Through Kevin Hearn’s notoriety he hoped to bring knowledge of Leukemia to the public arena.  Through knowledge effective treatments give hope to those like Kevin with this disease. 

Normal blood development Normal blood is made up of fluid called plasma in which three types of blood cells are suspended.  These cell types are: Red blood cells Platelets White blood cells (leukocytes) Red blood cells contain hemoglobin which transport oxygen from the lungs to all tissues of the body, and then transports the waste product carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Platelets are the cells that cause a clot to form at an injury. White blood cells defend against viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. Blood cells are produced predominantly in the bone marrow which is found in the cavities of the bones. In children, this process occurs in all bones.  However in adults, the production of blood cells is limited to the bones of the sternum, vertebrae, pelvis and ribs and humerus (upper arms) and femur (legs). Within the bone marrow, blood cells are made from stem cells 1 3.

Reference for In the News: Musician fights leukemia and wins. in CNN.com September 16, 2003

1. Andreoli, T. E., Carpenter, C. C. J., Griggs, R. C. and Loscalzo, J.  2001.  Cecil Essentials of Medicine.  5^th ed.  W. B Saunders. NY
2. Clinical Reference Systems.  2003.  Leukemia: Chronic Lymphocytic.  www.mdconsult.com
3. Ganong, W. F.  1983.  Review of Medical Physiology. 11^th ed.  Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, Ca
4. National Cancer Institute.  2003.  What you need to know about^TM Leukemia.  National Cancer Institute.  Publication No. 92 – 3775
5. Nidus Information Service 2003. Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (Previously called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia).  www.mdconsult.com
6. Pui, C-H., Campana, D and Evans, W.  2001.  Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – current status and future perspectives.  The Lancet Oncology.  2 (10).
7. X- Plain.  Leukemia.  Oc160101 The patient education institute, Inc.  www.X-Plain.com

 Back to Home Page