Leukemia

(1). Acute leukemia

Acute leukemia is a primary malignant hemopathy of the hematopoietic tissues characterized by abnormal hyperliferation and infiltration of leukocytes in bone marrow and other hematopoietic tissues resulting in the failure of the normal hematopoietic function. The clinical manifestations mainly are fever, haemorrhage, anaemia, and the enlargement of liver, spleen and lymph nodes with sudden onset and rapid development. The average survival of untreated patients is 6 months to one year.

The aetiology of leukemia is related to ionizing radiation, some chemical agents, medications, viruses, hereditary factors and immune situations. The unlimited hyperliferation and infiltration in bone marrow and other hematopoietic tissues of the leukocytes of leukemia finally result in remarkable reduction of normal hematopoietic cells and uncontrolled haemorrhage and infection.

(2). Chronic leukemia

A. Chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL)

Chronic granulocytic leukemia is a clone disease caused by the malignant changes of stem cell accompanied by acquired chromosomal abnormalities. The clinical manifestation is characterized by the remarkable overgrowth of granulocytic cells.

This disease is caused by physical, chemical, biological and genetic factors, and related closely to chromosomal lesions of pleuripotent stem cells that lead to activate the oncogene and produce a kind of fusion protein (P201) which is believed by inference to be a important factor causing the canceration.

B. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a haematological disorder characterized by the abnormal proliferation and accumulation of lymphocytes with immune hypofunction.

The clinical manifestations are the increasing of mature-appearing lymphocytes and the enlargement of lymph nodes, liver and spleen, often with haemorrhage and anaemia. This disease is related to ionizing radiation, various chemical oncogen agents or tumour toxin and genetic factors.

Chronic granulocytic leukemia has immune functional defect with difficult in formation of immune antibody. Both decreased helper T cells (Th) and relatively increased suppressor T cells (Ts) influence the differentiation of B cells and the synthesis of immunoglobulin (Ig) that makes patient to be infected.

Differentiation in TCM:

a. Hidden phlegm stagnation

b. Stagnation of the Qi and phlegm

c. Mutual conjugation of phlegm stagnation

d. Phlegm stagnation and damp heat

Treatment:

The investigations of modern pharmacology show that some herbs have the cytotoxin effects that directly destroy tumour cells and suppress tumour cells to proliferate; and some herbs may induce tumour cells to be apoptosis and increase immune function of the body with the effects on immune and suppression to tumours. Therefore the herbs improve the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and reduce the suppressive effects on haematopoiesis and immune functions. Our therapeutic centre uses those herbs mentioned above with differentiation syndrome making the formula to treat patients for supporting body resistance, regulating and improving the body's immune function.