Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. It can be acute or chronic and is characterized by the uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells. Leukemia is divided into myelogenous or lymphocytic types, which denote the cell type involved. The four major types of leukemia are: 1

Acute leukemia progresses rapidly and results in the accumulation of immature cells that do not function in the marrow and blood. The marrow often can no longer produce enough normal red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Anemia develops in virtually all patients with leukemia. The lack of normal white cells impairs the body's ability to fight infections, and a low platelet count results in bruising and internal bleeding because blood cannot clot properly. Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly and allows greater...