Is there a Connection Between Sickle Cell Disease and Leukemia?
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross B...
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder that can cause pain, fatigue, infections and anemia, among other complications.
Studies have found a connection between sickle cell disease and an increased risk in cancer, particularly leukemia, a cancer in blood-forming tissues.
What is sickle cell disease?
SCD is the most common genetically inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting about 100,000 people. The challenging, lifelong condition is caused by defective hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. In a person with SCD, the defective hemoglobin causes red blood cells to turn into sickle-shaped strands that die early and block blood flow. This deprives tissues of oxygen and causes an inflammatory response.
Complications associated with SCD include stroke anemia, pain, infections, acute chest syndrome, stroke, and kidney, liverand heart disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Individuals with SCD often struggle with extreme fatigue, particularly in those who have sickle cell anemia.
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming tissues including bone marrow and the lymphatic system. This cancer causes the bone marrow to produce excessive abnormal white blood cells that don’t function properly, according to the Mayo Clinic. The abnormal blood cells crowd out healthy white and red blood cells and platelets. White blood cells fight infections.
There are many different types of leukemia, including forms that are more common in children.
How is sickle cell disease linked to cancer?
A study found an increased risk of leukemia in patients with SCD. According to the research, female and those with SCD from age 15 to 39 had a three times greater risk for leukemia. People who have severe SCD have four times the risk for leukemia.
Two other studies found a higher-than-expected risk of leukemia in patients with SCD compared to those without.
SCD patients who have cancer have a lower survival rate than cancer patients without SCD, according to another study. The researchers found that as life expectancy for people with SCD increases, the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis also increases.
Treating and living with sickle cell disease
Early diagnosis and treatment are important for people with SCD to prevent stroke and infections, which are major risk factors for those with the disease. While SCD is associated with an increased cancer risk, stay in close communication with your physician and health care providers to assess risk and seek early diagnosis of any complications.
To manage SCD, it’s important to:
- Attend regular checkups with your primary care provider
- Follow treatments prescribed by your doctor
- Take precautions to prevent illness and infections
- Eat a nutritious diet and stay hydrated
Image: Getty Images
Related:
