See Also: Leukemia(health)
leukemia(encyclopedia)
leukemia(dictionary)
leukemia(medicine)
Chronic leukemia(health)
Cancer, leukemia(health)
Acute leukemia(health)
Myeloid leukemia(health)
Accelerated phase of leukemia(health)
Childhood translocation 11 leukemia(health)

Leukemia (health)


Cancer of white blood cells. Acute leukemias are characterized by the presence of "blasts," which are immature white blood cells. Large quantities of blasts generally overgrow the bone marrow, leaving very little space for normal bone marrow cells. This type generally requires immediate treatment. Chronic leukemias are those characterized by a large and uncontrolled growth of more mature white blood cells. These types of leukemias tend not to progress as rapidly, and treatment is often milder than that of acute leukemias.