Latest news with #autoimmuneDisease
Medical News Today
29-05-2025
- General
- Medical News Today
Leukemia and lupus: Link and research explained
Link explained Cancer risk Symptoms Seeking medical help Summary Leukemia and lupus are both conditions that affect the immune system. Although they are different, they share certain symptoms. A person with lupus may have increased risk of developing leukemia. Lupus is an autoimmune disease. A person's immune system is responsible for protecting the body from infection and disease. Autoimmune conditions affect the immune system, causing it to attack healthy tissue. Leukemia is cancer of the blood. There are different forms of leukemia. The type a person has is determined by what type of blood cell it affects, as well as its speed of growth. Some forms of leukemia affect the white blood cells. White blood cells help to fight diseases as part of the immune system. If a person has a problem with their white blood cells, they may be prone to sickness or infection. Lupus and leukemia have certain symptoms in common. Additionally, some research suggests that there may be a link between the two conditions. Read on to learn more about the relationship between lupus and leukemia, as well as when to see a doctor. AbrahamCertain research suggests that there may be a link between lupus and leukemia. A review from 2018 found that having lupus may increase a person's overall risk of developing cancer. It may also increase a person's risk of specific cancers, including: leukemia non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's lymphoma multiple myeloma cervical cancer vaginal/vulval cancer renal cancer bladder cancer esophageal cancer gastric cancer hepatobiliary cancer lung cancer oropharynx cancer larynx cancer non-melanoma skin cancer thyroid cancer Additionally, research from 2022 noted that autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) may increase a person's risk of leukemia. AIHA is a condition that causes the immune system to destroy red blood cells. A further study from 2022 stated that around 10% of people with lupus develop AIHA. A study from 2024 noted that there are rare reports of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) occurring alongside lupus. CML is a form of leukemia that affects the blood and bone marrow. Researchers believe that lupus may increase a person's risk of certain cancers due to its weakening of the immune system. Further research is required to determine the link between lupus and leukemia. A doctor may use immunosuppressants to treat a person with lupus. Immunosuppressants work by suppressing a person's immune system. This helps to prevent it from damaging healthy tissue. However, immunosuppressants may reduce how well the immune system works. This may weaken a person's immune system, causing them to become vulnerable to infections. Information from the American College of Rheumatology notes that the immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) is used for severe complications of lupus. They also note that this medication may increase a person's risk of certain cancers, including: lymphoma skin cancer bladder cancer Research from 2017 found that the increased cancer risk of cyclophosphamide may occur when it is given at higher doses. Additionally, researchers found that hydroxychloroquine, another immunosuppressant used to treat lupus, may reduce a person's cancer risk when given at low doses. If a person has lupus, they should speak with their doctor about the risks and benefits of their treatments. Although lupus and leukemia are different conditions, they do have some overlapping symptoms. These shared symptoms include: fatigue fever weight loss petechiae, which are tiny red dots on the skin joint pain swollen glands dizziness A person should speak with their doctor if they notice any signs of lupus or leukemia. If a person has lupus, they should speak with their doctor if they notice any new or concerning symptoms. shortness of breath during physical activities paleness frequent infections bruising easily prolonged bleeding from cuts frequent or severe nosebleeds bleeding gums heavier or more frequent menstrual bleeding night sweats enlarged spleen or liver feeling of pain or fullness below the ribs wheezing coughing painful breathing Lupus and leukemia are both conditions that affect a person's immune system. If a person has lupus, they may be more likely to develop certain cancers. These may include leukemia. Researchers are not currently sure what the link is between lupus and leukemia. They believe lupus may increase a person's risk of cancer by weakening the immune system. Additionally, certain treatments for lupus may increase cancer risk. Both lupus and leukemia share certain symptoms. If a person notices any symptoms of either condition, they should speak with a doctor. A person with lupus should speak with their doctor if they notice any signs of leukemia, such as prolonged bleeding from cuts. Leukemia Lupus Blood / Hematology Cancer / Oncology Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. BalajiSubramanian S, et al. A rare case of dual metachronous primary malignancies, chronic myeloid leukemia, and tongue carcinoma in a patient with long-standing systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report and review of literature. Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). (2024). Guo J, et al. (2020). The relationship between cancer and medication exposure in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A nested case-control study. Hsu C-Y, et al. (2017). Cumulative immunosuppressant exposure is associated with diversified cancer risk among 14 832 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A nested case–control study. Leukemia. (n.d.). Leukemia—patient version. (n.d.). Lupus. (2024). Medications used to treat lupus. (2023). Signs and symptoms. (n.d.). Song L, et al. (2018). The risks of cancer development in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Suzuki E, et al. (2023). Systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome accompanied by mixed-type autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Systemic lupus erythematosus. (2022). Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus). (2022). Zhang Y, et al. (2022). Hematological malignancies in systemic lupus erythematosus: Clinical characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis—a case-control study.
Free Malaysia Today
13-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Living with myasthenia gravis, a rare but manageable condition
53-year-old Alina Ali began suffering from symptoms of myasthenia gravis in 2010, but was only diagnosed with the rare condition in 2016. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : It began suddenly in 2010, when secondary-school teacher Alina Ali inexplicably began feeling fatigued, her voice growing hoarse. Chalking it up to work-related stress, she visited her doctor but found nothing abnormal. Some of her colleagues asked why she 'seemed lazier lately'. Others attributed her condition to 'black magic' or 'disturbance by a spiritual entity', leaving Alina feeling unsettled. She consulted specialists from various fields, from eye doctors to psychiatrists, and even sought the help of traditional healers – but none of them could give her a clear answer. By the end of 2015, her symptoms had worsened, with severe body weakness. Still, she figured her exhaustion was from caring for her children after her husband passed away suddenly from a heart attack that August. Sometime the following year, she began to experience a drooping of both upper eyelids. Alina was referred to a neurologist at Hospital Serdang in Selangor and, after undergoing several tests, was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare autoimmune disease. 'I didn't know what to feel – relieved because I finally knew the cause, or afraid because I had never even heard of the disease before,' the now 53-year-old told Bernama. She was prescribed the medication pyridostigmine and steroid prednisolone. Despite numerous side effects – including diarrhoea, watery eyes, increased saliva production, weight gain, spikes in blood sugar, narrow blood vessels that rupture easily, and proneness to skin, blood and lung infections – she was determined to stick with her treatment. Alina, who retired from teaching in 2021, is now active in the MG community, sharing her experiences and offering support to others. While MG patients do not fully recover, the condition is manageable, and Alina is committed to raising public awareness about the disease. According to consultant neurologist Dr Rabani Remli, MG is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by disruptions in the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles. As a result, the muscles become weak when a person performs repeated physical movements. The disease is neither contagious nor inherited. It is often misunderstood as a psychological issue or mistaken for other conditions such as stroke or eye-muscle disorders. Symptoms of MG include body weakness, especially in the arms and thighs, making it hard for patients to climb stairs or carry out daily activities. (Envato Elements pic) Rabani explained that MG is difficult to diagnose as its symptoms can be confusing and can vary. Patients often present with drooping eyelids or double vision, difficulty speaking clearly, and trouble swallowing. Some may experience muscle weakness in the arms and thighs, making it hard for them to climb stairs or carry out daily activities. Although there is no official data on the prevalence of MG in Malaysia, previous studies have shown that MG among Malaysians displays clinical characteristics similar to those in other countries. Women are more frequently diagnosed at a younger age, usually between 20 and 30, while men are usually diagnosed later, in their 60s. There are two classifications of MG: ocular, which only involves the eye muscles, or generalised, which involves muscle weakness in other parts of the body. 'Identifying the MG category is important for determining the treatment approach,' Rabani said. 'Detecting MG requires a careful approach due to its unclear and inconsistent early symptoms. Taking a detailed patient history is key to record a pattern known as 'fatiguability' – a hallmark of MG: symptoms that worsen with physical activity or repeated muscle use, but improve after rest.' Neurological examinations are necessary, including asking the patient to raise their eyelids and move their arms and legs. Blood tests are conducted to detect antibodies, while further evaluation may include nerve-conduction tests or a chest CT scan to detect any tumour or enlargement of the thymus gland – located behind the breastbone between the lungs – which is often associated with MG. 'If there is swelling in the thymus, we will refer the patient for thymus-gland surgery. Thymus-gland tumours are a major cause of this disease,' Rabani noted. Although MG cannot be completely cured, it can be controlled with proper treatment. Medications such as pyridostigmine work by enhancing the transmission of nerve signals to muscles, temporarily reducing muscle weakness. Effects may vary from person to person. For more serious cases, patients are prescribed immunosuppressive treatments such as steroids, azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil, which can help reduce antibody production. These treatments, however, require close monitoring as each can have short- and long-term side effects. Neurologist Dr Rabani Remli says one of the main challenges in managing MG in Malaysia is the low level of awareness, not only among the public but also among general medical practitioners. (Rabani Remli pic) In more complicated cases or during an 'MG crisis', emergency treatments such as intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange are used to neutralise and eliminate antibodies more quickly. These treatments have also been found to be very effective during critical phases or before surgery. 'If a patient is found to have a tumour in the thymus gland, they will be advised to undergo a thymectomy, which is the surgical removal of the thymus. Patients who undergo this surgery, especially younger ones, usually show better symptom control in the long term.' Alongside medical treatment, patients need to better control their stress and get sufficient rest. Avoiding certain medications that can trigger MG is also crucial. Furthermore, psychological effects pose a major challenge for MG patients, Rabani said: some of her patients suffer from depression because they are misunderstood by others who brand them as lazy, spoiled, or having psychological issues. 'The loss of control over body functions and the difficulty in planning daily activities are major causes of depression as patients don't know when their body will fail to function. This makes it hard for them to work or live a normal social life,' Rabani explained. The main challenge in managing MG in Malaysia is the low level of awareness, not only among the public but also among general medical practitioners. As such, Rabani hopes support groups like the Malaysian Rare Disorders Society and other NGOs will continue to shed light on MG, while assisting patients and their families.
