Introduction
What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is cancers of the white blood cells which are also known as leukocytes. It is when an abnormally large number of white blood cells are being produced in the bone marrow. These white blood cells cannot protect the body against diseases because they are defective. Unfortunately, leukemia accounts for 30% of childhood cancers and affects 3000 children each year. Luckily, treatment for leukemia is very good and most will be free of the disease without having to worry about it returning.
Types of Leukemia
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Leukemia can be classified based on how fast it develops which is called acute leukemia or how slow it develops which is called chronic leukemia.
In acute leukemia the immature bone marrow cells continue to reproduce and build up rapidly. Eventually, they get released into the bloodstream where they hinder other cells and organs and prevent them from functioning. Acute leukemia cancers can be fatal and cause death within a few months.
In chronic leukemia the white blood cells are partly mature but not fully therefore they look normal but they do not fight infections. The live longer and build up, crowding out normal blood cells. Since this leukemia progresses over a long time period, people live longer but it is harder to cure.
Leukemia can also be classified based on if it affects lymphocytes which is called lymphocytic leukemia or myelocyctes which is called myeloid leukemia.
In lymphocytic leukemia the cancer starts in the T or B lymphocytes.
In myeloid leukemia the cancer starts in the myelocyctes.
Ultimately, there are four types of leukemia:
In acute leukemia the immature bone marrow cells continue to reproduce and build up rapidly. Eventually, they get released into the bloodstream where they hinder other cells and organs and prevent them from functioning. Acute leukemia cancers can be fatal and cause death within a few months.
In chronic leukemia the white blood cells are partly mature but not fully therefore they look normal but they do not fight infections. The live longer and build up, crowding out normal blood cells. Since this leukemia progresses over a long time period, people live longer but it is harder to cure.
Leukemia can also be classified based on if it affects lymphocytes which is called lymphocytic leukemia or myelocyctes which is called myeloid leukemia.
In lymphocytic leukemia the cancer starts in the T or B lymphocytes.
In myeloid leukemia the cancer starts in the myelocyctes.
Ultimately, there are four types of leukemia:
- Acute lymphocyctic leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic lymphocyctic leukemia (CLL)
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)