Causes of leukemia and its effects on cells

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood that starts in the bone marrow. The word "Leukemia" means white blood. The final outcome of leukemia is the reduction of blood cell counts. To understand the leukemia, it is very important to be aware of the formation of blood.

Our blood is composed of plasma and floating in the liquid yellow cells. Blood cells are classified into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Each of these types is the very important work in our body. Blood to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body and reduce carbon dioxide, which is then breath out. Deficiency in red cells may cause illnesses such as anemia. White blood cells are constituent elements of the immune system. Immune system detects dangerous substances in the body and kills them. If white blood cells to protect our body from attacks of disease. Absence of WBC exposes bodies to various diseases. Platelets are bleeding bodies. Platelets blood clot and bleeding in the case of injury. Platelet deficiency can lead to too bleeding and excess platelets leads to the formation of blood clots.

All blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. Due to some reasons unknown, damage caused to DNA from cells (WBC mainly). As a result of this damage bone marrow produces abnormal cells. These abnormal cells are produced at rapid speed. The normal cells of the body are replaced by fresh healthy cells after a few months, but these abnormal cells last for a long time. Finally, abnormal cells replace almost all if treated normal cells. This situation is called leukemia. Leukemia is also called bone marrow cancer because it starts in the bone marrow.

Leukemia symptoms include swelling in the lymph nodes, pain in joints, bruises, weight loss, night sweats and fatigue. If some one feels such symptoms, it should not worry as leukemia symptoms are shared by many other diseases. They should immediately contact your doctor. Diagnosis of leukemia is done by the CBC and the bone marrow test and its treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and bone marrow transplantation. Often, a mixed approach is used to treat leukemia.