Leukemia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Frey (talk | contribs) at 17:37, January 29, 2009. It may differ significantly from current revision.
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