Leukemia is the malignancy of cells of the bone marrow and blood. There are different types of leukemia like myeloid and lymphatic, each of which can be chronic or acute.

What is T Leukemia?

It is a type of leukemia where the Tcells or T lymphocytes-cells of the lymphoid system are malignant. Normal T cells can fight virus, cancerous cells and foreign cells. T cell leukemia is an adult leukemia.ATL is an aggressive Non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Evidence shows that HTLV-1(Human T cell leukemia/lymphotrophic virus type 1) is the cause of ATL.Infection of the HTLV-1 is established when the antibody against it is found present in the serum.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs of acute T cell Leukemia include Hypercalcemia, Lytic bone lesions, Skin lesions, Enlarged lymph nodes, liver and spleen and frequent infections. The signs and symptoms of chronic adult T cell leukemia are infections, weight loss, tiredness, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms of Adult Leukemia include Lymphadenopathy, Fever, Fatigue, Anorexia, Pruritis and Night Sweats.

Diagnosis

After a physical examination a complete blood count test is done to find out blood cell count. Abnormal levels of white blood cells indicate possibility of T cell leukemia. Biopsy is done to extract bone marrow and test it for leukemia cells. The type of leukemia is confirmed by Immunophenotyping -checking the surface of the leukemia cells for antigens providing immunity. The presence of chromosomal abnormalities is tested using cytogenetics tests. A CT (Computed Tomography) scan reveals abnormalities and tumors inside the body. Skin biopsy is done wherein skin tissue samples are checked for Tcells.

Treatment

Initially the patient’s blood count is monitored with routine blood tests. When the leukemia advances and the patient feels fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, low blood counts and night sweats, active treatment is started. Chemotherapy is administered on the patient via the bloodstream to kill can cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy uses high energy rays for the same purpose. Surgery is sometimes performed to remove the enlarged spleen that generates white blood cells. Stem cell transplantation is a treatment that involves replacing the maligned bone marrow with specialized cells called hematopoietic stem cells. Immunotherapy / biological therapy uses recombinant interferon alpha (Alferon N, Roferon-A, Intron A) to boost the body’s natural immunity against cancer. Monoclonal antibodies are administered on the patient to kill leukemia cells when they attach to their antigens.

Prognosis

The disease whether of chronic or acute nature, is not very responsive to treatment. Usually patients die within a year. The complications that ensue from it are the same as its symptoms.

Prevention

Though Tcell leukemia can’t be prevented as such, some precautionary measures can be taken to prevent transmission of the HTLV 1 virus that causes it. Carrier mothers should not breast feed their baby as the HTLV 1 is passed on to the baby through breast milk.HTLV-1 also passes through sexual contact between males and females and through blood transfusion. So, donated blood must always be tested before use.

T cell leukemia is a fatal disease and by taking due precautions one can reduce chances of its occurrence to a great extent.