Editing Patient Pathways: Leukemia (section)

= Leukemia =

Leukemia is a malignancy of the blood-forming tissue that affects white blood cells and their production in the bone marrow. In most cases, malignant transformation occurs in white blood cells, although it can also occur in other cells involved in blood formation. White blood cells, leukocytes, participate in the body’s defense against possible infectious and other pathogenic organisms. The creation and destruction of bone marrow cells is a strictly controlled process that involves several mechanisms, some of which are still unknown. In leukemia, there is a disorder of the regulatory mechanisms, which is manifested by the excessive growth and proliferation of white blood cells and their precursor cells. Malignant white blood cells do not look normal nor do they perform their normal function. Due to the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells, there is a suppression of normal cells in the bone marrow, which consequently causes their lower production and deficiency in the peripheral blood.

In Croatia, as in the rest of the world, leukemia represents a significant health challenge. According to the Croatian Institute of Public Health, between 250 and 300 new cases of leukemia are diagnosed in Croatia every year. The prevalence of leukemia in the country indicates a trend of stable incidence with a slight increase in some age groups. Leukemia affects both children and adults, with a slightly higher incidence in older people. Mortality from leukemia varies depending on the type and stage of the disease.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has a high mortality rate if not treated immediately, while chronic forms, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), often have a slower course and better prognosis. Despite advances in treatment, leukemia remains one of the leading causes of death from malignant diseases in Croatia.

Leukemia is a serious health problem in Croatia, but thanks to advances in medicine and the availability of modern therapies, many patients have better prognoses than ever before. Continuous investment in the health system, education of medical personnel and access to the latest therapeutic options are key to further improving the outcomes of leukemia treatment in Croatia.

Leukemias are primarily divided into two large groups. One group is acute leukemias, and the other is chronic. Each of these groups is divided into two types. Depending on the type of bone marrow cells that are affected by malignant transformation, leukemias are divided into lymphocytic and myeloid. These are the four main types of leukemia:

* acute lymphocytic (lymphoblastic),
* acute myeloid,
* chronic lymphocytic and
* chronic myeloid leukemia, which are biologically and clinically very different diseases.

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