As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of N syndrome may be found in:
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Research on predisposing factors isn't conclusive but points to some combination of viruses (viral remnants have been found in leukemic cells), genetic and immunologic factors, and exposure to radiation and certain chemicals. (See Predisposing factors to acute leukemia.)
Pathogenesis isn't clearly understood, but immature, nonfunctioning WBCs appear to accumulate first in the tissue where they originate (lymphocytes in lymph tissue, granulocytes in bone marrow). These immature WBCs then spill into the bloodstream and from there infiltrate other tissues, eventually causing organ malfunction because of encroachment or hemorrhage.
Acute leukemia is more common in males than in females, in whites (especially people of Jewish descent), in children (between ages 2 and 5; 80% of all leukemias in this age-group are ALL), and in people who live in urban and industrialized areas. Acute leukemia accounts for 20% of all adult leukemias. Among children, however, it's the most common form of cancer. Incidence is 6 out of every 100,000 people.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Although the cause of CLL is unknown, researchers suspect hereditary factors (higher incidence has been recorded within families), still-undefined chromosome abnormalities, and certain immunologic defects (such as ataxia-telangiectasia or acquired agammaglobulinemia). The disease doesn't seem to be associated with radiation exposure, carcinogenic chemicals, or viruses.
Approximately 2 out of every 100,000 people develop CLL annually, with 90% of cases found in people who are older than age 50. Many cases go undetected by routine blood tests in people who are asymptomatic. The disease is common in Jewish people of Russian or Eastern European descent, and is uncommon in Asia.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Research on predisposing factors is inconclusive, but points to some combination of viruses (viral remnants have been found in leukemic cells), genetic and immunologic factors, and exposure to radiation and certain chemicals.
Pathogenesis isn’t clearly understood, but immature, nonfunctioning WBCs appear to accumulate first in the tissue where they originate (lymphocytes in lymph tissue, granulocytes in bone marrow). These immature WBCs then spill into the bloodstream and from there infiltrate other tissues, eventually causing organ malfunction because of encroachment or hemorrhage. (See What happens in leukemia.)
Acute leukemia is more common in males than in females, in whites (especially people of Jewish descent), in children between ages 2 and 5 (80% of all leukemias in this age-group are ALL), and in people who live in urban and industrialized areas. Acute leukemia ranks 20th in causes of cancer-related deaths among people of all age-groups. Among children, however, it’s the most common form of cancer.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Although the cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is unknown, researchers suspect hereditary factors (higher incidence has been recorded within families), still-undefined chromosome abnormalities, and certain immunologic defects (such as ataxia-telangiectasia or acquired agammaglobulinemia). The disease doesn’t seem to be associated with radiation exposure.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
CGL’s exact cause is unknown. However, almost 90% of patients with CGL have the Philadelphia (Ph1) chromosome, an abnormality discovered in 1960 in which the long arm of chromosome 22 is translocated, usually to chromosome 9. Radiation and carcinogenic chemicals may cause this chromosome abnormality. Myeloproliferative diseases also seem to increase the incidence of CGL, and some physicians suspect that an unidentified virus causes this disease.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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