Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. In cancer, cells become
abnormal and grow out of control. As the number of abnormal
blood cells increase, the healthy blood cells are outnumbered.
There are three main types of blood cells. Each has a distinct
job: - White blood cells (WBC), also called lymphocytes, are
most often involved in leukemia. Their main job is to help the
immune system. - Red blood cells (RBC) carry oxygen throughout
the body. - Platelets help the blood clot at injury sites.
Leukemia cells cannot do the job of normal blood cells. This
causes many of the symptoms of leukemia. The disease starts in
the bone marrow where blood cells are made. The most common
types of leukemia are: White Blood Cells Leukemia cells
outnumber healthy white blood cells and gather in spleen and
lymph nodes. Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. The exact
cause of leukemia is not known. Certain risk factors are thought
to be related. These risk factors are thought to be related to
leukemia. Tell your doctor if you h