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Leukemia is cancer that starts in the tissue that forms blood. To understand cancer, it helps to.


  is malignant neoplasms of the cells derived from either the myeloid or lymphoid line
of the hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. Proliferating abnormal and immature cells
(blast) spill out into the blood and infiltrate the spleen, lymph nodes, and other tissue. Acute
leukemias are characterized by rapid progression of symptoms. High numbers (greater than
50,000/mm3) of circulating blast weaken blood vessel walls, with high risk for rupture and
bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage.

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Most blood cells develop from cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. Bone marrow is the
soft material in the center of most bones.

Stem cells mature into different kinds of blood cells. Each kind has a special job:

White blood cells help fight infection. There are several types of white blood cells.

Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body.

Platelets help form blood clots that control bleeding.

White blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are made from stem cells as the body needs
them. When cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.

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There are four common types of leukemia:

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      (CLL): CLL affects lymphoid cells and usually grows
slowly. It accounts for more than 15,000 new cases of leukemia each year. Most often,
people diagnosed with the disease are over age 55. It almost never affects children.

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       (CML): CML affects myeloid cells and usually grows
slowly at first. It accounts for nearly 5,000 new cases of leukemia each year. It mainly
affects adults.

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     (ALL): ALL affects lymphoid cells and
grows quickly. It accounts for more than 5,000 new cases of leukemia each year. ALL is
the most common type of leukemia in young children. It also affects adults.

dc ×       (AML): AML affects myeloid cells and grows quickly. It
accounts for more than 13,000 new cases of leukemia each year. It occurs in both adults
and children.

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Common symptoms of chronic or acute leukemia may include:

dc Swollen lymph nodes that usually don't hurt (especially lymph nodes in the neck or
armpit)
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dc evers or night sweats

dc requent infections

dc eeling weak or tired

dc Bleeding and bruising easily (bleeding gums, purplish patches in the skin, or tiny red
spots under the skin)

dc Swelling or discomfort in the abdomen (from a swollen spleen or liver)

dc Weight loss for no known reason

dc Pain in the bones or joints

The risk factors may be different for the different types of leukemia:

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