Is Leukemia hereditary disease?

samella · Newbie Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Posts: 16

Hello. I'm 35 year old female.
I will try to describe you what happened and what is troubling me for the past two weeks.
Three months ago, my close relative was diagnosed with acute leukemia and, you will not believe this, he died after two months fighting with this serious disease.
We couldn’t believe something like this could happen.
So, what really is bothering me, beside the death of my close relative, is question-is acute leukemia hereditary? My grandfather died from leukemia and I can't help not thinking about it.
I would like to hear something more about symptoms are possible cure for this terrible disease.
Thank you in advance.

zimdars · Silver Member Joined: 08 Nov 2002 Posts: 237

I think I can help you because in the past three or four years I’ve been reading a lot about leukemias. I did so because three years ago my wife died from leukemia.
First I will give you medical definition of disease.
Leukemias are a group of disorders which represent cancers of the blood and bone marrow system. Some leukemias are slow growing, relatively benign disorders requiring only observation, often for periods of years. Other diseases are dangerous, rapidly growing processes, which require emergency treatment.
Your relative probably had one of these rapidly growing leukemias like my wife.
Symptoms are mostly concerning the blood changes. Main symptoms are significant anemia (low red blood cells-causing fatigue or weakness), thrombocytopenia (lack of platelets potentially causing bleeding) or neutropenia (lack of the infection fighting white cells neutrophils). In this moment there is no proof of leukemia hereditarity!
As you know, there is no definitive cure for leukemia. The goal of any treatment is to transfer a patient from this rapidly growing to chronic type of leukemia.
People diagnosed with chronic leukemia can live a long and quality life.

Guest · Guest

I won't be much help, but I wanted to add that my grandad died adult-onset (diagnosed in his 30s, died in his 60s) leukemia and my cousin (at 25) recently was diagnosed with the same form of leukemia. They're testing me (29) now for the same thing. I believe it is hereditary, whether or not there are statistics out there yet.

mrsthing2u · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

I also starting to believe its herediary, My grandpa had it, Now I just found out my dad has it too. So I am going to get tested next week.

Is Leukemia hereditary disease?

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