Leukemia
Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells which help your body fight infection. When your bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells they crowd out the healthy blood cells making it hard for blood to do its work and results in Leukemia.
There are different types of leukemia, including
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Chronic myeloid leukemia
Leukemia can develop quickly or slowly. Chronic leukemia grows slowly whereas acute leukemia is marked by cells that are very abnormal and whose numbers increases rapidly.
Adults can get either type of leukemia; children with leukemia most often have an acute type. Some leukemia can be cured. Other types are hard to cure, but can often be controlled. Treatments may include chemotherapy, radiation and stem cell transplantation. Even when symptoms disappear, patients may need therapy to prevent a relapse.
Source: National Institute of Health