Leukemia is cancer of blood which starts in bone marrow. The word "Leukemia" means white blood. The end result of leukemia is reduction in blood cells count. To understand leukemia, it is very important to be aware of the formation of blood.
Our blood consists of plasma and cells which float in this yellow colored liquid. Blood cells are categorized into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Each of these types performs very important job in our body. Red cell transport oxygen from lungs to all tissues of body and bring back carbon dioxide which is then breath out. Deficiency in red blood cells may cause diseases like anemia. White cells are building blocks of immune system. Immune system detects dangerous substances in body and kills them. So white cells protect our body against diseases attacks. Lack of white cells exposes body to various diseases. Platelets are clotting bodies. Platelets clot blood and stop bleeding in case of any wound. Deficiency of platelets may result in too much bleeding and excess of platelets leads to clots in blood.
All blood cells are produced in bone marrow. Due to some unknown reasons, damage is caused to the DNA of cells (mostly white blood cells). As a result of this damage, bone marrow produces abnormal cells. These abnormal cells are produced at rapid speed. Normal body cells are replaced by fresh healthy cells after few months but these abnormal cells last for long time. Eventually, abnormal cells replace almost all of the normal cells if left untreated. This situation is called leukemia. Leukemia is also called cancer of bone marrow because it starts in bone marrow.
Leukemia symptoms include swelling in lymph nodes, pain in joints, bruising, weight loss, night sweats and tiredness. If some one feels such symptoms, he should not worry as leukemia symptoms are shared by many other diseases. He should immediately contact his doctor. The diagnosis of leukemia is done by CBC and bone marrow test and its treatment options includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy and bone marrow transplant. Often, a mixed approach is used to treat leukemia.
This article is summary of resources available at following website.
http://leukemia-symptoms.thehealthinfo.net/
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