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