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Leukemia is cancer of the [bone marrow]?, resulting in the massive production of defective red? and white? blood cells. |
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Leukemia is cancer of the blood forming tissues, resulting in a massive production of defective red? and white? blood cells. |
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Leukemia, first recognised by the German pathologist Virchow in 1847, starts with the bone marrow behaving abnormally caused by a mutation to its DNA. Bone marrow stem cells produce billions of red and white blood cells each day, respectively carrying oxygen and fighting disease around all parts of the body. Leukemia is characterised by an excessive production of abnormal versions of these cells, overcrowding the bone marrow. This results in decreased production and function of normal blood cells. Leukemia can spread to the [lymph node]?s, spleen?, liver, central nervous system and other organs. |
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Leukemia, first recognised by the German pathologist [Rudolf Virchow]? in 1847, starts with tissues such as bone marrow behaving abnormally. This is caused by a mutation in its DNA. Bone marrow stem cells produce billions of red and white blood cells each day, respectively carrying oxygen and fighting disease around all parts of the body. Leukemia is characterised by an excessive production of abnormal versions of these cells, overcrowding the bone marrow. This results in decreased production and function of normal blood cells. Leukemia can spread to the [lymph node]?s, spleen?, liver, central nervous system and other organs. |
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As with all cancers, leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases. In leukemia, the diseases are classified according to the type of cell which predominates in the peripheral blood. Leukemia is also clinically split in to its acute and chronic forms. The four main forms are: |
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As with all cancers, leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases. In leukemia, the diseases are classified according to the type of abnormal cell found most in the blood. Leukemia is also clinically split in to its acute and chronic forms. The four main forms are: |
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The symptoms listed are not exclusive to, nor neccesarily indicative of leukemia. |
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The symptoms listed are not exclusive to, nor neccesarily indicative of leukemia. Damage to the bone marrow results in a lack of blood platelet?s, which are important in the blood clotting? process. This means people with leukemia may become bruised or bleed excessively. Similarly, the blood cell deficiency leads to shortness of breath and fatigue (blood cells are needed to carry oxygen efficiently around the body.) Bone or joint pain may occur, possibly because of cancer spreading to these areas. Headaches and vomiting are indicative of the cancer having dispersed to the central nervous system. |
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Damage to the bone marrow results in a lack of blood platelet?s, which are important in the blood clotting? process. This means people with leukemia may become bruised or bleed excessively. Similarly, the blood cell deficiency leads to shortness of breath and fatigue (blood cells are needed to carry oxygen efficiently around the body.) Bone or joint pain may occur, possibly because of cancer spreading to these areas. Headaches and vomiting are indicative of the cancer having dispersed to the central nervous system. In the case of acute myelogenous leukemia, small rash-like spots on the skin as wellas enlarged gums are typically evident. Acute lymphocytic leukemia can cause the thymus? to become enlarged, and can mean severe coughing or even suffocation. Chronic myelocytic leukemia can lead to enlargement of the spleen. Chronic lymphotic leukemia can manifest itself as oversized lymph nodes. |
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In the case of acute myelogenous leukemia, small rash-like spots on the skin as well as enlarged gums are typically evident. Acute lymphocytic leukemia can cause the thymus? to become enlarged, and can mean severe coughing or even suffocation. Chronic myelocytic leukemia can lead to enlargement of the spleen. Chronic lymphotic leukemia can manifest itself as oversized lymph node'. |
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Scientists are still actively searching for the exact cause of leukemia. The bone marrow stem cells are thought to become cancerous because of mutation to their DNA. This could come from exposure to radiation, carcinogenic substances, or translocation? (a swap) of genetic material in the chromosomes. This can happen at fertilisation?, when the egg? and sperm? cell meet and their genes become shuffled around. It is possible to test whether some of these translocations have occured in a person's chromosome, confirming whether they have or are likely to develop leukemia. Similar genetic tests can also determine the aggressiveness needed in treatment and also the expected prognosis. |
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Scientists are still actively searching for the exact cause of leukemia. The bone marrow stem cells are thought to become cancerous because of mutation to their DNA. This could come from exposure to radiation, carcinogenic substances, or translocation? (swapping) of genetic material in the chromosomes. It is possible to test whether some of these translocations have occured in a person's chromosome, confirming whether they have or are likely to develop leukemia. Similar genetic tests can also determine the aggressiveness needed in treatment and also the expected prognosis. |
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