Why Give Wednesday: Learn about UAB & Leukemia/ Lymphoma

What is Leukemia?

Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream. There are an estimated 52,380 new cases of leukemia in the United States in 2014. There are an estimated 24,090 deaths due to Leukemia predicted this year.

What is Lymphoma?

Lymphomas are cancers that affect the cells in the immune system and are the most common type of blood cancer. Depending on the specific cells that are affected, each case is classified as one of two primary types – Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s – and these two categories break down further into five types of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and more than 40 subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s.

Of the two types, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is far more common, affecting approximately 70,800 estimated in 2014 in the United States, as opposed to 9,190 cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is any of a large group of cancers of lymphocytes (white blood cells). Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas can occur at any age and are often marked by lymph nodes that are larger than normal, fever, and weight loss. 

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system that is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. Symptoms include the painless enlargement of lymph nodes, spleen, or other immune tissue. Other symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, or night sweats. Also called Hodgkin disease.

Why Choose UAB

The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is a nationally recognized leader in the field of leukemia and lymphoma research and actively conducts clinical trials for both acute and chronic leukemia patients and both Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients.

The Cancer Center has been involved in several clinical trials of Clofarabine, an anti-leukemia drug developed here in Birmingham. Many of these examine the drug’s effects on patients older than 60.

The Cancer Center has also been involved in several clinical trials and conducts much epidemiologic study on the outcomes of minority patients with lymphoma.

Much leukemia and lymphoma research is done through UAB’s Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, which is one of the 10 largest in the country.

Visit our website for more information, your support is greatly appreciated. Donations are accepted here. 

The Message from the Recent FDA Ruling: Don't Panic

This week the FDA announced that it has found a possible link between breast implants and a very rare type of cancer. According to the report, the agency documented about 60 cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma among the five to 10 million women with implants. Based on these findings, the FDA is requiring changes to the product's labeling.

Breast implants have been scrutinized for decades, and it is the FDA's responsibility to inspect such products for public safety. However, the takeaway message from this study for women with breast implants is this: Don't panic!

To put this study in perspective: If 60 cases occurred among six million implants, that comes to a lifetime risk of one in 100,000 for this type of cancer. However, the average woman has a one in 17 lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer, regardless of whether she has implants or not.

I urge all women to monitor their breast health through self-exams and regular mammograms. For those with implants, check for any irregularities such as fluid collection around the implant, pain or breast asymmetry. The risk of developing cancer is extremely low, and these results are very early. However, I encourage women to contact their healthcare professional if they have any concerns or further questions. Keeping a watchful eye on your health is good practice, no matter what.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.