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Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood, marked by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow. It does not typically form tumors like other cancers and can vary in type, with some forms being more prevalent in children and others in adults. The disease arises when blood cells begin to multiply uncontrollably, leading to a shortage of healthy blood cells.

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6 views1 page

Gauqiqbq

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood, marked by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow. It does not typically form tumors like other cancers and can vary in type, with some forms being more prevalent in children and others in adults. The disease arises when blood cells begin to multiply uncontrollably, leading to a shortage of healthy blood cells.

Uploaded by

noblek284
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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What is leukemia?

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood, characterized by the rapid growth of


abnormal blood cells. This uncontrolled growth takes place in your bone
marrow, where most of your body’s blood is made. Leukemia cells are
usually immature (still developing) white blood cells. The term leukemia
comes from the Greek words for “white” (leukos) and “blood” (haima).

Unlike other cancers, leukemia doesn’t generally form a mass (tumor) that
shows up in imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans.

There are many types of leukemia. Some are more common in children,
while others are more common in adults. Treatment depends on the type of
leukemia and other factors

How does leukemia develop?

Leukemia begins in bone marrow, the soft spongy tissue in the inner cavity
of your bones, where your body’s blood cells are made. Blood cells go
through multiple stages before reaching their fully mature forms. Mature,
normal blood cells include:

Red blood cells: Cells that carry oxygen and other vital materials to all
tissues and organs in your body.

White blood cells: Cells that fight infection.

Platelets: Cells that help your blood clot.

These blood cells start as hematopoietic (hemo = blood, poiesis = make)


stem cells. The stem cells develop into either myeloid (MAI-uh-loyd) cells or
lymphoid (LIM-foyd) cells. If blood cells were to continue to develop
normally, the mature forms of these cells are as follows:

Myeloid cells develop into red blood cells, platelets and certain types of
white blood cells (basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils).

Lymphoid cells develop into certain white blood cells (lymphocytes and
natural killer cells).

However, if you have leukemia, one of the developing blood cells begins to
multiply out of control. These abnormal cells — called leukemia cells —
begin to take over the space inside of your bone marrow. They crowd out
the cells trying to develop into healthy red blood cells, white blood cells
and platelets.

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