Leukemia
LeukemiaLeukemia
Leukemia is a disease that affects blood-forming tissues,
mainly bone marrow. Leukemia also affects the lymph glands
and spleen. Leukemia causes the body to produce an extreme
amount of abnormal white blood cells. This causes
infections because the abnormal cells cannot stop
infections like the normal cells do. Leukemia also causes
anemia. Anemia is a disease in which the body makes less
blood cells. This happens because the leukemic cells crowd
the system. Leukemia also causes excessive bleeding. This
happens because the amount of platelets will decrease and
clotting will not occur,
Researchers think a change in genetic structure causes
leukemia. Changes in gene structure could be caused by
environmental problems. Some of these problems could be:
birth defects, radiation, viruses, and chemicals. Leukemia
is not inherited and is not contagious.
There are two major types of Leukemia, Lymphocytic and
Granulocytic. In Lymphocytic Leukemia white blood cells
known as Lymphocytes, which are made in the Lymph glands
and bone marrow are abnormal or immature. In Granulocytic
Leukemia this causes an increase in white blood cells known
as granulocytes. Granulocytes are made in the bone marrow,
and other tissue. Granulocytes that are affected by
leukemia cannot fight of infections.
There are two ways in which leukemia can occur. One is
acute, and the other is chronic. Acute leukemia is found
most in children. It progresses rapidly. Acute leukemia...
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