What is Adult T-cell Leukemia?
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Adult T-cell #leukemia is a rare type of T-cell cancer caused by human lymphotropic virus type1 (HTLV-1) and typically affects blood and can also develop in the lymph nodes, skin and other areas or organs of the body. T cells or T-lymphocytes are the type of white blood cells that help to fight various pathogens (Disease-causing microorganisms or agents). Adult T-cell leukemia is more common in black people of southeastern ethnicity. It is a rare condition that usually affects adults and is very rare in children.
Disease Causes
The human lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) strain (subtype) of the retrovirus is the likely cause of 20 million affected people worldwide. Intravenous drug abusers are at the greatest risk of contracting human lymphotropic virus type 1 and adult T-cell leukemia. Sharing contaminated needles, transfusing infected blood from a person with HTL-1 infection into a healthy person, and contacting a baby with contaminated mother’s blood during pregnancy or childbirth are risk factors that can cause adult #T-cell leukemia.
#leukemiaawareness
