Al Leukemia Case Study
I. INTRODUCTION
Leukemia is a malignant hematologic disorder characterized by a proliferation of abnormal white blood cells and is classified as acute or chronic (Langhorne, 2011). In acute leukemia, the leukemic or blast cells function abnormally and accumulate in the peripheral blood, the bone marrow, the reticuloendothelial system, and sometimes the central nervous system. It is characterized by rapid onset and may be distinguished as lymphocyctic (lymphoblastic) or myeloid (Langhorne, 2011).
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) results from an uncontrolled proliferation of immature cells (lymphoblasts) derived from the lymphoid stem cell (Smeltzer, 2010). CNS involvement in ALL may manifest through headaches and disturbances in the cranial nerves III, IV, VI, and VII which may lead to double vision, abnormal ocular movements, and facial drooping (Langhorne, 2011). INCIDENCE AND EPIDEMIOLOGY According to the American Cancer Society, 2013, there are about 6, 070 new cases of ALL (3,350 in males and 2, 720 in females from both adult and children population) and about 1, 430 deaths from ALL (820 in males and 610 in females) in the United States. The risk for developing ALL is highest in children younger than 5 years of age and about one third of cases of ALL are in adults.
On the other hand, according to the Philippine Cancer Society, 2010, there will be an estimated 3, 153 new cases of leukemia; 1, 669 in males and 1, 484 in females in the next few years.
Patient JR, a 34-year-old male Filipino, was admitted to medicine ward (Onco) with an admitting diagnosis of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia t/c CNS Leukemia but then transferred after a week to the medical ICU for close monitoring. Considering the fact that the morbidity rate of leukemia is increasing not only in the United States but also in the Philippines, it is timely to study this case and provide awareness and knowledge to the readers and future researchers.
OBJECTIVES
General Objective
Leukemia is a malignant hematologic disorder characterized by a proliferation of abnormal white blood cells and is classified as acute or chronic (Langhorne, 2011). In acute leukemia, the leukemic or blast cells function abnormally and accumulate in the peripheral blood, the bone marrow, the reticuloendothelial system, and sometimes the central nervous system. It is characterized by rapid onset and may be distinguished as lymphocyctic (lymphoblastic) or myeloid (Langhorne, 2011).
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) results from an uncontrolled proliferation of immature cells (lymphoblasts) derived from the lymphoid stem cell (Smeltzer, 2010). CNS involvement in ALL may manifest through headaches and disturbances in the cranial nerves III, IV, VI, and VII which may lead to double vision, abnormal ocular movements, and facial drooping (Langhorne, 2011). INCIDENCE AND EPIDEMIOLOGY According to the American Cancer Society, 2013, there are about 6, 070 new cases of ALL (3,350 in males and 2, 720 in females from both adult and children population) and about 1, 430 deaths from ALL (820 in males and 610 in females) in the United States. The risk for developing ALL is highest in children younger than 5 years of age and about one third of cases of ALL are in adults.
On the other hand, according to the Philippine Cancer Society, 2010, there will be an estimated 3, 153 new cases of leukemia; 1, 669 in males and 1, 484 in females in the next few years.
Patient JR, a 34-year-old male Filipino, was admitted to medicine ward (Onco) with an admitting diagnosis of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia t/c CNS Leukemia but then transferred after a week to the medical ICU for close monitoring. Considering the fact that the morbidity rate of leukemia is increasing not only in the United States but also in the Philippines, it is timely to study this case and provide awareness and knowledge to the readers and future researchers.
OBJECTIVES
General Objective