Leukemia

Bone marrow aspiration

A small amount of bone marrow is removed during a bone marrow aspiration. The procedure is uncomfortable, but can be tolerated by both children and adults. The marrow can be studied to determine the cause of anemia, the presence of leukemia or other malignancy, or the presence of some “storage diseases” in which abnormal metabolic products are stored in certain bone marrow cells.

Definition

Leukemia is a group of cancers that begins in the blood forming cells of the bone marrow.

The term "leukemia" literally means "white blood." White blood cells (leukocytes) are used by the body to fight off infections and other foreign substances. They are made in the bone marrow.

Leukemia leads to an uncontrolled increase in the number of immature white blood cells (or blasts).

Over time, these cancerous blast cells fill up the bone marrow and prevent healthy red cells, platelets, and mature white cells (leukocytes) from being made. Life-threatening symptoms may then develop.

The blast cells spill out of the marrow into the bloodstream and lymph system. They can also travel to the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) and other parts of the body.

Leukemias are divided into two major types:

  • Acute (which progresses quickly with many immature white cells)
  • Chronic (which progresses more slowly and has more mature white cells)

For information about a specific type of leukemia, see the following:

For information about leukemia support groups, see: Leukemia resources

References

Appelbaum FR. The acute leukemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 194.

Kantarjian H, O’Brien S. The chronic leukemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 195.

See also:

  • Disease

    Hairy cell leukemia

    Bone marrow aspiration

    Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an unusual cancer of the blood. It affects B cells, a type of white blood cell (lymphocyte).

  • Disease

    Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

    Bone marrow aspiration

    Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. See also:

  • Disease

    Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

    Bone marrow aspiration

    Chronic myelogenous leukemia is that starts inside bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones that helps form blood cells. The cancer grows from cells that produce white blood cells. See also:

  • Special Topic

    Leukemia - resources

    Immune system structures

  • Disease

    Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

    Bone marrow aspiration

    Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer in which the body produces a large number of immature white blood cells (lymphocytes). These cells are found in the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs.

  • Disease

    Acute myeloid leukemia

    Blood cells

    Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is cancer that starts inside bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones that helps form blood cells. The cancer grows from cells that would normally turn into white blood cells. Acute means the disease develops quickly. See also:

Review date:
March 2, 2009
Reviewed by:
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital.
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