Understanding Leukemia: The Blood Cancer That Affects the

Bone Marrow
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones
where blood cells are produced. This condition occurs when the body starts to produce abnormal
white blood cells that don't function properly. Unlike normal white blood cells, which fight
infections and protect the body, these malignant cells multiply uncontrollably, crowding out healthy
cells and interfering with normal bodily functions. Leukemia is one of the most common types of
cancer in children, but it also affects adults. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of
leukemia, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

What Is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a cancer that originates in the bone marrow or the tissue where blood cells are made.
The disease primarily affects the production of white blood cells, but it can also involve red blood
cells and platelets. White blood cells are essential for fighting off infections, red blood cells carry
oxygen throughout the body, and platelets help with blood clotting.
In leukemia, the body produces an excessive number of abnormal white blood cells that do not
function as they should. These leukemia cells accumulate and interfere with the production of
normal blood cells, leading to symptoms such as anemia, increased risk of infection, and excessive
bleeding. Over time, leukemia can spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes,
liver, spleen, and central nervous system.

Types of Leukemia
Leukemia is classified into four main types, based on two factors: the speed of progression (acute or
chronic) and the type of blood cell affected (lymphoid or myeloid). Let’s take a closer look at these
categories:
1. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): This is the most common type of leukemia in
children, though it can also occur in adults. In ALL, the bone marrow produces too many
immature lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). It is aggressive and progresses quickly,
often requiring immediate treatment. The survival rate for children diagnosed with ALL has
improved significantly over the years with advances in treatment.
2. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): AML is more common in adults, although it can also
affect children. It involves the rapid growth of abnormal myeloid cells, which can develop
into a variety of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. AML
is one of the most aggressive forms of leukemia and can progress rapidly if left untreated.
Like ALL, AML requires urgent medical intervention.
3. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): CLL primarily affects older adults, and it
involves the slow buildup of abnormal lymphocytes in the blood and bone marrow. Unlike
acute leukemias, CLL often develops slowly and may not cause symptoms for several years.
In many cases, individuals may not need immediate treatment, but over time, the disease can
become more aggressive.
4. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): CML is another slow-progressing form of leukemia,
primarily affecting adults. It involves the overproduction of myeloid cells, which can lead to
 the formation of abnormal white blood cells. CML is often linked to a specific genetic
mutation known as the Philadelphia chromosome, where a piece of chromosome 9 fuses
with chromosome 22, creating an abnormal gene. CML is treatable with targeted therapies
that address this genetic mutation.

Symptoms of Leukemia
The symptoms of leukemia can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease, but they
generally occur as a result of the bone marrow’s inability to produce normal blood cells. Common
symptoms include:
 Fatigue and weakness: Due to anemia (a lack of red blood cells), patients often feel
unusually tired and weak.
 Frequent infections: A shortage of healthy white blood cells leaves the body more
vulnerable to infections.
 Easy bruising or bleeding: When there is a low platelet count, even minor injuries can
result in excessive bleeding or bruising.
 Unexplained weight loss: Some people with leukemia experience significant weight loss
without any apparent cause.
 Pain or a full feeling in the abdomen: Leukemia cells can infiltrate the spleen or liver,
causing swelling and discomfort.
 Bone pain or joint pain: This can occur if leukemia cells infiltrate the bone marrow,
affecting the production of healthy blood cells.
 Paleness: A decrease in red blood cells can lead to paleness of the skin, a common sign of
anemia.
 Fever and night sweats: Leukemia can cause low-grade fevers, especially in more
advanced stages.
If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, it's important to consult with a
healthcare provider for further testing and diagnosis.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of leukemia is not fully understood, but researchers believe that both genetic and
environmental factors play a role in its development. Some of the known risk factors include:
1. Genetic mutations: Certain genetic mutations, such as the Philadelphia chromosome in
CML, can predispose individuals to leukemia. People with certain inherited genetic
conditions, like Down syndrome or Li-Fraumeni syndrome, also have a higher risk of
developing leukemia.
2. Age: Leukemia can affect people of any age, but certain types are more common in specific
age groups. For instance, ALL is most common in children, while CLL and AML are more
common in older adults.
3. Radiation exposure: People who have been exposed to high levels of radiation, such as
survivors of nuclear accidents or radiation therapy for other cancers, may be at higher risk of
developing leukemia.
 4. Chemical exposure: Long-term exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene (found in
tobacco smoke, industrial solvents, and some cleaning products), is a known risk factor for
leukemia.
5. Family history: A family history of leukemia or other blood cancers may increase an
individual's risk, suggesting a genetic predisposition.
6. Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments: While chemotherapy can be life-saving for
other cancers, it can also increase the risk of developing leukemia later in life due to the
damage it causes to the DNA in healthy cells.

Diagnosis of Leukemia
Diagnosing leukemia involves a combination of medical history, physical exams, blood tests, and
bone marrow analysis. The most common diagnostic test for leukemia is a complete blood count
(CBC), which measures the levels of different blood cells. Abnormal results can indicate leukemia,
but further testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the specific type of leukemia.
A bone marrow biopsy is often performed to examine the bone marrow directly. In this procedure,
a needle is inserted into the bone (usually the hip bone) to collect a sample of bone marrow, which
is then analyzed for the presence of leukemia cells.
Genetic tests may also be conducted to look for specific mutations, such as the Philadelphia
chromosome in CML or other chromosomal abnormalities in ALL or AML.

Treatment Options
The treatment for leukemia depends on the type of leukemia, its stage, and the overall health of the
patient. Treatment typically involves one or more of the following:
1. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill leukemia cells and stop their growth.
It is often the first-line treatment for most types of leukemia.
2. Radiation therapy: Radiation can help kill leukemia cells or shrink tumors that have spread
to other parts of the body, like the spleen or lymph nodes.
3. Stem cell or bone marrow transplant: This treatment involves replacing the patient’s
diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a donor. Stem cell transplants are often
used for patients with leukemia that doesn’t respond to chemotherapy.
4. Targeted therapy: For some types of leukemia, targeted therapies are used to attack
specific genetic mutations or proteins that drive the growth of leukemia cells. This approach
has shown promising results in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
5. Immunotherapy: This newer treatment uses the body’s immune system to fight leukemia
cells. One example is the use of CAR T-cell therapy, where a patient’s own T-cells are
modified to better recognize and attack leukemia cells.
6. Clinical trials: For patients with leukemia, clinical trials may offer access to cutting-edge
treatments and experimental therapies that are not yet widely available.

Conclusion
Leukemia is a complex and often aggressive cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, and its
impact can be profound. While the disease presents unique challenges, advances in diagnosis and
treatment over the past few decades have dramatically improved the prognosis for many patients,
especially children. Early detection and intervention are key to improving outcomes, and ongoing
research continues to offer hope for more effective treatments in the future.
If you or a loved one is facing a leukemia diagnosis, it is important to work closely with a
healthcare team that specializes in blood cancers to explore all available treatment options. Though
the journey can be difficult, progress in leukemia treatment has brought hope to many, and survival
rates continue to improve as science advances.