| Leukemia is a disease of the blood and bone marrow | | | | cells. Also, a decreased number of white blood cells |
| that occurs on the background of genetic | | | | reduces the body's ability of overcoming infections, |
| predispositions to cancer. Leukemia affects the | | | | while the lack of platelets facilitates inflammation and |
| cellular process of maturation, causing the | | | | bleeding. |
| accumulation of immature blood cells in the spinal | | | | Chronic leukemia tends to develop slower than acute |
| marrow and bloodstream. In some cases leukemia | | | | leukemia. In the case of chronic leukemia, the body is |
| causes the incomplete cells to multiply very quickly, | | | | able to produce blood cells that are more mature |
| while in other cases the abnormal blood cells have | | | | than those produced in acute leukemia. Although |
| prolonged periods of life and persist in different | | | | these cells may appear incomplete, they can't fulfill |
| places inside the body. Incomplete blood cells can't | | | | their roles inside the organism and tend to cluster at |
| substitute for normal blood cells, as they can't carry | | | | different levels of the body. They also have a longer |
| out their roles. The cells affected by leukemia are | | | | period of life. |
| therefore incompatible with the organism and can | | | | Chronic leukemia of lymphocytic form is known to |
| cause serious damage. | | | | affect a type of blood cell called B lymphocyte. The |
| Judging by the speed of development and the | | | | disease weakens the immune system, interferes in |
| persistence of the disorder, there are two types of | | | | the normal activity of the spinal marrow and |
| leukemia: acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Judging | | | | facilitates the access of harmful cells to body organs. |
| by the types of stem cells affected by the disorder, | | | | Chronic lymphocytic leukemia first occurs at the |
| leukemia can either be lymphocytic or myelogenous. | | | | levels of the bone marrow, but can quickly spread to |
| Acute leukemia is different from chronic leukemia by | | | | different organs and tissue through the bloodstream. |
| the levels that stem cells are able to reach in their | | | | The presence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is |
| development (stem cells that present anomalies still | | | | usually revealed by blood tests and careful body |
| manage to partially develop and either resemble | | | | examination. Although apparently some people may |
| immature cells or complete, normal white blood cells). | | | | have no symptoms of the disease, other patients |
| Acute leukemia is a form of cancer that develops | | | | may experience fatigue, lack of concentration, poor |
| very rapidly. It is manifested through overpopulation | | | | balance, memory loss, deterioration of vision and |
| of the blood with immature cells that are unable to | | | | hearing, vertigos, body weakness, joint and bone |
| fulfill the functions of normal blood cells. In the case | | | | pains. Just like in other forms of the disease, chronic |
| of acute leukemia, the marrow is unable to produce | | | | leukemia requires immediate specific treatment and |
| normal quantities of red blood cells, white blood cells | | | | therapy. The chances of fully overcoming the disease |
| and platelets. Patients who suffer from leukemia also | | | | are considerably enhanced if it is discovered quickly. |
| develop anemia, a deficiency of normal red blood | | | | |