what are the characteristics of the various types of leukemi

what are the characteristics of the various types of leukemia

Solution

Acute myeloid leukemia : In this type of leukemia, bone marrow makes immature blast cells which do not develop into white blood cells and therefore are not able to ward off infections. There are 8 subtypes of this form of leukemia depending upon the cells from which the leukemia has developed i.e, Myeloblastic M0, Myeloblastic M1, Myeloblastic M2, Promyelocytic M3, Myelomonocytic M4, Monocytic M5, Erythroleukemia M6, Megakaryocytic M7.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia : It affects bone marrow and blood. It begins in the blood forming cells of the bone marrow and eventually spreads to blood and rest of the body parts. It is caused due to translocation between two chromosomes i.e chromosome 9 and 22. It progresses slowly.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia: Here, abnormal blood cells accumulate in the bone marrow. It progresses rapidly and these leukemia cells are carried in the blood stream and are transported to testes,liver, spleen etc. number of B cells increase than T cells. It usually occurs below the age of 15 and above the age of 45. Adult cases of this type of leukemia is rare.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia : It occurs in the lymphocytes in bone marrow and grows slowly and reaches other organs through blood. Normal blood cells are replaced and occupied by these cells which makes it difficult for the body to fight infections. It takes several years before it becomes serious.