Leukemia

Leukemia is a group of cancers that originate in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal cells, which can be either too many or dysfunctional, do not function properly in fighting infections and impair the ability to produce red blood cells and platelets. Leukemia is classified into different types based on the speed of progression—acute leukemia, which progresses rapidly, and chronic leukemia, which progresses more slowly—and the type of blood cell affected, such as lymphoblastic or myelogenous.

The cause of leukemia is not fully understood but involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms may vary depending on the type of leukemia but can include fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, and increased susceptibility to infections. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests to detect abnormal levels of white blood cells or platelets, and bone marrow biopsies to identify leukemic cells. Treatment options vary based on the leukemia type and may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and in some cases, stem cell transplantation.