WHAT IS LEUKEMIA? HOW IT DEVELOPS?

What is leukemia?

Leukemia is cancer that originates in blood-forming tissue. The disease is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes), in the bone marrow. White blood cells are a fundamental component of the body's immune response. The leukemia cells crowd out and replace normal blood and marrow cells.

How Leukemia Develops

Leukemia is classified in two ways. One way is by the type of white blood cell that is affected (lymphoid or myeloid cells). Another way is by how quickly the disease develops and gets worse, meaning whether it is acute (fast-growing) or chronic (slow-growing).

Lymphocytic Versus Myeloid Leukemia

Lymphocytic leukemia (also known as lymphoid or lymphoblastic leukemia) develops in the white blood cells called lymphocytes within the bone marrow. Myeloid (also known as myelogenous) leukemia may also start in white blood cells other than lymphocytes (e.g., monocytes), as well as red blood cells and platelets.

Acute Versus Chronic Leukemia

Acute leukemia is rapidly progressing and results in the accumulation of immature, functionless blood cells in the bone marrow. With this type of leukemia, cells reproduce and build up in the marrow, decreasing the marrow’s ability to produce enough healthy blood cells. Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly and results in the accumulation of relatively mature, but still abnormal, white blood cells.

Also Read >> Symptoms of Leukemia (Blood Cancer)