Library · Neoplasm
Leukemia
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Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissue inside bone marrow. It does not need to form a lump or solid tumor to be cancer.
Picture a blood cell factory whose space fills with abnormal white blood cells. These cells also build up in the bloodstream and crowd out normal blood cells. Leukemia includes several distinct diseases; this card explains only the broad mechanism they share.
In brief
Leukemia is a cancer that begins in the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow and, unlike many cancers, does not form a solid tumor.
Abnormal white blood cells build up in the blood and bone marrow, crowding out normal blood cells.
Picture a blood cell factory whose available space is gradually filled by abnormal white blood cells that can also enter the bloodstream.
Sources (1)
- National Cancer Institute, NIHWhat Is Cancer? Types of CancerPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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