What You Need To Know About Leukemia

I was diagnosed with ITP earlier this year. Does it make me more susceptible to leukemia?

ITP is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. It’s an autoimmune disease. The platelets also known as thrombocytes are important in stopping bleeding and forming a scab when healing from a cut. In ITP, platelets are attacked by the patient’s immune system. The number of circulating platelets goes very low. The patient can bruise easily, that is called purpura in medical speak. ITP is a blood disease, very separate from leukemia. Someone with ITP is not at increased risk of leukemia. The patient can be at higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke, which is bleeding into the brain.

What does low white blood cell count indicate? I thought that was leukemia.

A low blood count can be due to a number of things. Some people simply have a low white blood count and it is normal. This is especially true of young Black men. The white count rises during periods of exercise or to fend off infection such as a cold. A low white blood count can rarely be the sign of a leukemia. In this case, the patient will have lots of infections and likely other symptoms such as weakness or bruising.

For the person who’s donating, does their bone marrow ever grow back fully?

The bone marrow of a donor replenishes itself very quickly. The donor’s only inconvenience is the pain and soreness from the donation and that is often minimal. It can often be similar to giving blood.

I am anemic. Just had my 1st iron infusion 2 weeks ago because I was so tired and lethargic. Now I have an itchy rash all over my body. Should I be examined further?

I do suggest open communication with your physician. You most likely have an allergy to something in the iron infusion. Other things are possible. You should be checked out. I would also ask the doctor why you have anemia.

Otis W. Brawley, MD, MACP, FASCO, FACE, chief medical and scientific officer for the American Cancer Society, is responsible for promoting the goals of cancer prevention, early detection, and quality treatment through cancer research and education. He champions efforts to decrease smoking, improve diet, and provide the critical support cancer patients need.

He also guides efforts to enhance and focus the American Cancer Society research program, upgrade their advocacy capacity, and concentrate community cancer control efforts in areas where they will be most effective. Further, as an acknowledged global leader in the field of health disparities research, Dr. Brawley is a key leader in the American Cancer Society’s work to eliminate disparities in access to quality cancer care.

Dr. Brawley currently serves as professor of hematology, oncology, medicine, and epidemiology at Emory University. Dr. Brawley is a graduate of University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case-Western Reserve University, and a fellowship in medical oncology at the National Cancer Institute. He is board-certified in Internal medicine and medical oncology.

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