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Topic last updated: 30 Sept 2021
    • Ico Chemistry Chemistry
    • Biology Biology
    • Ico Human Biology Human biology
    • Ico Citizenship Studies PSHE / Citizenship studies
    • 14-16
    • 25

Cell divison and cancer

7  of  9

Diagnosing cancer

The body can develop many harmless lumps. They are generally not a sign of cancer but it is always best to get them checked by a doctor.

Lumps that are not cancers are called benign. They are harmless but may still be removed by surgery, if they are causing discomfort or there is a chance they could develop into a cancer.

Lumps that are cancers are called malignantmalignant
 A malignant tumour has the capacity to destroy surrounding tissues and can spread to other areas of the body as cells detach and are transported away in the blood or lymphatic system. . These need to be detected and treated as early as possible. Quick treatment gives the best chance of a successful treatment.

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Leukaemialeukaemia
 The umbrella name given to a number of cancers of the bone marrow and other organs which produce white blood cells.

Leukaemia is a cancer that can affect young children as well as adults. It is a cancer of the white blood cellswhite blood cells
 Cells specialised in defending the body against disease. . There are different types of leukaemia depending on which type of white blood cell is growing out of control.

Symptoms of leukaemia can include:

  • lethargy (lack of energy)
  • anaemia (low red blood cell levels)
  • fever
  • easily bruised
  • frequent nosebleeds
  • swelling in lymph nodes in the neck and armpits

Having just one of these symptoms does not mean that the person has leukaemia. Having several of them could point to leukaemia. Further tests are needed to definitely diagnose the condition.

Blood test to diagnose leukaemia

Compare the results of blood tests in the chart below to see how a sample can be used to detect leukaemia. Blood cells are made in the bone marrowbone marrow
 Found in the centre of bones, it contains adult stem cells which divide and differentiate to produce red and white blood cells. , so doctors may also analyse a sample of tissue (biopsy) taken using a needle into the bone marrow.

  Normal range Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemialeukaemia
 The umbrella name given to a number of cancers of the bone marrow and other organs which produce white blood cells. (CML)
White blood cellswhite blood cells
 Cells specialised in defending the body against disease. per mm3		 4 - 10,000 100,00+
Haemoglobinhaemoglobin
 The protein that carries oxygen within red blood cells.  (grammes per litre)		 12 - 18 less than 8
Plateletsplatelets
 Fragments of cells that circulate in the blood and play a role in the formation of blood clots.  per mm3		 150,000 - 450,000 100,000
Blood smear examined under a microscope:
  • white blood cells stained dark blue
  • red blood cellsred blood cells
     Carry oxygen in the blood. They are also known as erythrocytes.     small and round

Treating Leukaemialeukaemia
 The umbrella name given to a number of cancers of the bone marrow and other organs which produce white blood cells.

The medicines used to treat the different types of leukaemia may vary but treatments can include:

  • chemotherapychemotherapy
     Treatment of disease using medicines that destroy cancer cells.     - medicines that destroy cancer cells
  • bone marrowbone marrow
     Found in the centre of bones, it contains adult stem cells which divide and differentiate to produce red and white blood cells.     or stem cellstem cell
     Cells which can divide repeatedly without becoming differentiated and have the capacity to develop into a diverse range of specialised cell types.     transplanttransplant
     The process of replacing a damaged or diseased organ with a healthy organ from a dead or living donor.     s - to replace the patient's bone marrow with healthy bone marrow
  • blood and platelet transfusions to replace red blood cellsred blood cells
     Carry oxygen in the blood. They are also known as erythrocytes.     and plateletsplatelets
     Fragments of cells that circulate in the blood and play a role in the formation of blood clots.
  • antibioticantibiotic
     Medicine that is used to treat bacterial infections and works by killing or stopping the growth and reproduction of bacteria. These can be specific to a particular bacteria or act on groups of related bacteria.     s to fight infections as the patient's immune systemimmune system
     The body's natural defence mechanism against infectious diseases.      is not working well

As with any cancer, the earlier the treatment is started, the better the chance of recovery. Two common childhood leukaemias are Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Treatments for these cancers continue to improve and the graph shows the percentage of children alive five years after being diagnosed with leukaemia. These children are highly likely to be completely cured.

Survival
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Treatments of cancers
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