Journalist Linda Jiang of The Epoch Times in Los Angeles reported that despite dissatisfaction with blood cancer, advances in modern medicine have made many cancers no longer incurable. At the “NTD Health Expo” on October 14, Dr. Solomon Hamburg, a clinical professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), addressed questions about chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and provided valuable insights.
Dr. Hamburg explained that CLL is a slow-growing blood cancer that often shows no symptoms in its early stages. However, routine blood tests can detect it early, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups. Hamburg stated, “Early diagnosis holds significant value. Even if you feel healthy, it is recommended to see a doctor at least once a year.”
When it comes to the cause of CLL, Hamburg explained that while the body contains 36 trillion cells, any cell has the potential to become cancerous. Spontaneous mutations account for 90% of cancers, unrelated to environmental factors. In the case of blood cancers, genetic changes in blood-forming cells play a crucial role. Other risk factors include a family history of CLL, exposure to radiation or certain chemicals, autoimmune diseases, and other conditions. Although CLL can affect people of any age, statistics reveal that it is more common in individuals aged 65 to 74.
The question of immediate treatment for CLL depends on the stage of the disease. Dr. Hamburg classified CLL into five stages, with stage 0 being the low-risk group and stages 3 and 4 being the high-risk group. Patients in the early stage do not require treatment and can live a normal life. Early treatment does not significantly benefit them. However, patients in the middle and late stages experience symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats, anemia, weight loss, and fatigue. For these patients, treatment using modern therapies has shown promising results, allowing them to recover and live for several decades.
Dr. Hamburg stressed the importance of regular check-ups, particularly for the elderly, to allow for early detection. With early diagnosis, doctors can closely monitor the patient’s condition and provide appropriate treatment plans when necessary. Prompt medical attention is essential if the patient experiences discomfort or suspects an issue.
Complications are prevalent in CLL patients and can include anemia, autoimmune diseases, low immune protein levels, bone marrow failure, infections, and swelling of lymph nodes, glands, liver, and spleen. These complications contribute to the cause of death in 25% to 50% of CLL patients.
While CLL is more common in older adults, Dr. Hamburg clarified that aging itself is not the cause of the disease but rather an increased susceptibility as we age. He compared it to acquiring sex-linked genetic mutations, similar to hair turning gray. Dr. Hamburg highlighted that routine physical exams are vital, as CLL can affect individuals regardless of lifestyle choices.
In conclusion, medical advancements have made once-incurable cancers more manageable. Regular check-ups, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatments increase the chances of a long and healthy life for CLL patients.
[TheEpochTimesHydref192023](Jiang Linda reporter of the Epoch Times in Los Angeles reported) When it comes to blood cancer, many people are dissatisfied, but with the development of modern medicine, many cancers are no longer incurable.
At the “NTD Health Expo” last Saturday (October 14), Solomon Hamburg, clinical professor of the Department of Medicine and the Department of Hematology and Oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), helped people solve the problem Some questions for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Dr Hamberg said that chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a blood cancer that grows very slowly; in the very early stages, patients have no symptoms and can usually be detected early after routine blood tests. “Early diagnosis has a certain value. So even if I feel good about yourself, everyone should see a doctor at least once a year.”
Suspicion 1: Why do you get CLL?
Hamberg said there are 36 trillion cells in the human body, but every cell can become cancerous or even malignant. And 90% of cancers are caused by spontaneous mutations and have nothing to do with the environment.
The vast majority of blood cancers are therefore caused by genetic changes in the blood forming cells; there are also risk factors, including family history (often among close family members), exposure to radiation or certain chemicals, autoimmune diseases and other conditions.
People of any age are at risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but data shows that this blood cancer is more common in older people aged 65 to 74.
Question 2: Does CLL need immediate treatment?
Hamburg said that chronic lymphocytic leukemia is divided into five stages: stage 0 belongs to the low-risk group, that is, the very early stage; stages 1 and 2 belong to the medium risk group; and stages 3 and 4 belong to the medium risk group. high risk group.
“In those very early stage patients, they’re asymptomatic and don’t need treatment and live well year after year.” There is also little benefit to early treatment, he said.
However, patients in the middle and late stages will experience symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats, severe anemia, weight loss, and easy fatigue. “These patients need treatment,” Hamberg said. “Modern therapies, which are used more often, can help patients recover. Patients can recover well and live decades, not years, but decades.”
He emphasized that this is why he recommends the public, especially the elderly, to see a doctor regularly at least once a year. When detected early, the doctor can track the patient’s condition at any time and provide the patient with a reasonable treatment plan at the appropriate time. “If the patient feels uncomfortable, it is better to see a doctor as soon as possible. right to have an examination.”
Hypothesis 3: Mortality rate of complications in patients with CLL
According to Haberger, chronic lymphocytic leukemia has many complications, including anemia, autoimmune diseases (including hemolytic anemia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia), hypogammaglobulinemia (low immune proteins), bone marrow failure, bacterial and viral infections, lymphadenopathy, gland swelling , hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, fever, etc.
Complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are the main cause of death in 25% to 50% of patients.
Question 4: Does the risk of developing CLL increase with age?
Although chronic lymphocytic leukemia is more common in older adults, Hamburg said, “it’s not aging that causes the disease, it’s just that it’s more common as we age; we spontaneously acquire sex-linked genetic mutations Mutations sexual genetics like hair turning gray.”
Also, unlike other cancers or certain diseases, patients can be at risk of getting chronic lymphocytic leukemia even if they have done nothing wrong. That’s why routine physical exams are so important, he said. ◇
Editor in charge: Jialian
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