Proven by long months of treatment, Jane Birkin confided this March 15 in the pages of Paris Match in which she reveals to have leukemia.
Today, the singer is in remission and declares to go "well", nevertheless oscillating between fatalism and fury of living: "I understood, whether I want it or not, that I was only ten years ahead of me. Well, if I'm like mom, maybe a little more, but there is not a moment to lose. "
This cancer of the blood, hardly detectable, would affect nearly 9000 adults a year.
What is leukemia?
There are several types of leukemia whose symptoms, causes and treatments are different.
According to the definition of the Arc Foundation for Cancer Research, leukemia is a "group of blood cancers." This disease arises when there is abnormal white blood invading the blood.Acute leukemias are classically distinguished ( affecting preferentially children and adolescents) and chronic leukemias (preferably affecting adults) Each type of leukemia requires specific treatment.
Adult leukemias are considered rare diseases that affect the blood system: the white blood cells, too many, invade the bone marrow and / or blood.
Fatigue, hematomas ... Sometimes imperceptible symptoms
The main symptoms of acute leukemias (in adults) can occur in just a few days and are difficult to detect.
However, shortness of breath , fatigue and tachycardia can be observed, signs of anemia (decreased number of red blood cells in the blood). Hemorrhages in the gums, nose, brain or digestive system and haematomas illustrate a decrease in platelet count. Finally, the risk of infections is greater.
For chronic leukemia, the development of the disease is longer and they are detected later because they have almost no symptoms, except for fatigue and repetitive infections. With regard to chronic myeloid leukemia, the main symptom is an increase in the volume of the spleen .
In case of suspicion of leukemia, a blood test ( blood count or NFS) and / or a myelogram (bone marrow sample) can confirm the diagnosis.
Cancer with multiple causes
The causes of leukemia can be genetic : chromosomal abnormalities, familial inheritance with or without genetic factors identified, genetic abnormality related to ethnic origin.
Drug treatments and chemical substances (chemotherapy, pesticides, benzene ...) are also pointed out.
Finally, certain infectious diseases can also be responsible for the development of leukemias.
How are leukemias treated?
Depending on their type, leukemias are usually treated by chemotherapy ("induction" or "consolidation"), multidrug therapy, bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, or regular biological monitoring.
