Difference between revisions of "Leukemia"
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| − | '''Leukemia''' is [[cancer]] of the developing [[blood cell]]s in the [[bone marrow]]. Leukemia leads to rampant overproduction of white blood | + | '''Leukemia''' is [[cancer]] of the developing [[blood cell]]s in the [[bone marrow]]. Leukemia leads to rampant overproduction of [[white blood cell]]s (leukocytes); symptoms usually include [[anemia]], [[fever]], enlarged [[liver]], [[spleen]], and/or [[lymph]] nodes. |
| − | == Sources == | + | There are different types of leukemia, differentiated by the type of white blood cell involved, and they have different rates of progression. Faster-progressing leukemias tend to be more common among children, while the slower types tend to be seen more often in the elderly. |
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| + | Leukemia is 100% fatal if not treated, death usually being caused by internal hemorrhage and/or serious infections. It can be treated by radiation or certain drugs, and [[bone marrow]] transplants are used when compatible donors are available. | ||
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| + | ==Sources== | ||
* http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=leukemia | * http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=leukemia | ||
| + | * ''Human Anatomy and Physiology'', by Elaine Maries, Benjamin/Cummings Publishing, 1995 | ||
[[Category:Medicine]] | [[Category:Medicine]] | ||
Revision as of 17:37, January 29, 2009
Leukemia is cancer of the developing blood cells in the bone marrow. Leukemia leads to rampant overproduction of white blood cells (leukocytes); symptoms usually include anemia, fever, enlarged liver, spleen, and/or lymph nodes.
There are different types of leukemia, differentiated by the type of white blood cell involved, and they have different rates of progression. Faster-progressing leukemias tend to be more common among children, while the slower types tend to be seen more often in the elderly.
Leukemia is 100% fatal if not treated, death usually being caused by internal hemorrhage and/or serious infections. It can be treated by radiation or certain drugs, and bone marrow transplants are used when compatible donors are available.
Sources
- http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=leukemia
- Human Anatomy and Physiology, by Elaine Maries, Benjamin/Cummings Publishing, 1995