May 31, 2023 – If you test negative after having COVID-19, it's a very good idea to get a whole health check. This is very essential for people who find themselves in danger for blood cancer or have had blood cancer, reminiscent of leukemia.
If you have got blood cancer, you'll want to get a transparent picture of how strong your immune system is – which experts say is very essential if you have got symptoms of Long COVID. That's because most leukemia treatments end in some type of immunodeficiency, meaning these patients have a weakened immune system and subsequently struggle to fight off any infections present at the identical time.
Several studies have also found a possible link between COVID and leukemia, based on the undeniable fact that patients presented with the disease shortly after having COVID.
A study by researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and the Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Centro Universitário Christus and Universidade Federal do Ceará in Brazil, described how previously healthy young adults were diagnosed after recovering from COVID acute myeloid leukemia, Acute lymphocytic T-cell leukemia And myelodysplastic syndromewhich in about 50% of cases results in acute myeloid leukemia.
And Iranians Research reported on a patient who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia about 40 days after COVID and who had a pointy drop in hemoglobin and platelet levels. Another study investigated the likelihood that COVID increases the likelihood of developing Hairy cell leukemiaIt is significant to notice that these cases weren't widespread, however the authors of those studies have really helpful further research to find out whether a conclusive, known link may be established between COVID and a subsequent blood cancer diagnosis.
“Although significantly more research is needed to prove a conclusive link between the two, data have shown the negative impact of COVID-19 infection in patients with blood cancers,” said Lee Greenberger, PhD, chief scientific officer of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. “What we know for sure is that COVID-19 infection can be very dangerous for people with blood cancers, especially those with B-cell-depleting cancers. We must continue to focus on helping them avoid infection and its serious consequences.”
Read on for a better have a look at the impact of COVID-19 on leukemia thus far and the way you and your doctor can best protect your health based in your specific risk aspects.
What are the symptoms of leukemia?
Leukemia, a cancer of the tissues that make blood in your body, including your bone marrow and lymphatic system, can, as now we have seen, are available in different forms. For this reason, the symptoms can vary. Symptoms can contain:
- Chills or fever
- Lose weight without effort
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Tiredness that doesn’t go away
- Slight bleeding or bruising
- Night sweats
- Small red spots on the skin
- Your bones feel tender or painful
What are the chance aspects for leukemia?
The risk of developing leukemia is higher in the next cases:
- Do you have got a family history of the disease
- Are you a smoker
- Have you already received cancer treatment reminiscent of chemotherapy or radiation?
- Having a genetic disorder reminiscent of Down syndrome
- Have been exposed to chemicals reminiscent of benzene and formaldehyde at work
How can COVID-19 cause leukemia?
One possible cause is that COVID causes hematologic changes within the weeks following infection that may reduce cellular immunity in some patients. The authors of the Mount Sinai/Brazilian Hospital study consider there's a possibility that COVID causes an abnormal immune response within the body that would trigger the cell mutations that cause leukemia.
However, no cause could possibly be found that clearly explains a connection.
“There are several hypothetical mechanisms that could be proposed to explain why and how COVID might ultimately lead to blood cancer,” said Oscar B. Lahoud, MDa specialist in bone marrow transplantation and cell therapy on the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. “It may lead to numerous stimulations of the immune system and rapid proliferation. Mutagenesis [the process by which DNA changes, resulting in a gene mutation]but these mechanisms are not supported by any documented experimental data.”
If you've had COVID, should you get tested for leukemia?
“At this time, I might not recommend that any patient with a previous COVID infection be screened for leukemia or other blood cancers,” Lahoud said. “However, patients with a powerful family history should discuss their potential risks with their doctor no matter COVID. [doctors].”
If you have already got leukemia, how exactly might COVID affect you?
The treatments and medications you're taking may make a COVID infection difficult to regulate.
“Many blood cancer therapies are immunosuppressive and thereby inhibit the ability to clear COVID-19 infection,” said Greenberger. “Any patient with blood cancer who suspects COVID-19 infection or who tests positive for COVID-19 must contact their [doctor] immediately.”
And standard treatments for COVID ought to be used with caution.
“There are antiviral therapies that can help you recover from a COVID-19 infection, but they must be given soon after infection,” Greenberger continued. “If paxlovid is used, your doctor should consider its effects on other current medications, such as those used to treat your blood cancer. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has a four-stage Information sheet to help patients understand their risk and plan ahead in case of infection.”
At the same time, you do not want to stop your leukemia treatment.
“Data has shown that delaying treatment for patients with high-risk blood cancers, reminiscent of acute leukemia, has had devastating consequences,” said Lahoud. “However, as therapeutic interventions against COVID have emerged, we are able to now higher treat patients with COVID and concurrent leukemia. These include remdesivir, dexamethasone and monoclonal antibodies.”
Bottom line: Work with your doctor to create a concrete plan for your optimal outcome.
“Some leukemias don't require treatment and may be treated expectantly for several years, while others require immediate initiation of therapy,” said Lahoud. “We can now treat COVID quite effectively and achieve rapid remission of respiratory and systemic symptoms, so treatment of each diseases is usually possible.”
If you might be at high risk for leukemia or have the disease, take precautions against COVID – like wearing a mask in crowds, keeping your distance from sick people, and getting tested in case you feel sick. Don't panic – just be proactive.