What is Leukemia?

Leukemia is a blood cancer. The bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells (lymphoid or myeloid types) which proliferate uncontrollably and invade the normal marrow and other areas of the body.

Leukemia is either acute (develops rapidly) or chronic (progresses slowly). In children 90% of cases are of acute type. It can arise from lymphoid cells (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) or myeloid cells (Acute Myeloid Leukemia).

Symptoms

• Fever on and off
• Bleeding and easy bruising
• Pain in the bones or joint
• Swelling or discomfort in the abdomen (from enlarged organs such as spleen or liver).
• Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck and under the arms or groin
• Unexplained weight loss
• Pallor (anemia)
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Bone Marrow Transplantation