The Main Types of Leukemia
Leukemia progresses and affects the white blood cells. Lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoid or lymphocytic leukemia develops in white blood cells, lymphocytes, in the bone marrow. Myelogenous, known as myeloid leukemia, can begin in the white blood cells apart from lymphocytes, platelets, and red blood cells. Based on how rapidly it gets worse or develops, this disease is categorized as either fast-growing or slow-growing. The slow-growing diseases are known as chronic leukemia, whereas the fast-growing ones are acute leukemia. Here are the main leukemia types: 1. Acute leukemia Acute leukemia progresses rapidly. As a result, the accumulated immature blood cells do not function in the bone marrow. In this case, the cell starts to reproduce and build up in the bone marrow, thereby reducing the ability of the marrow to form a sufficient number of healthy blood cells. On the other hand, chronic leukemia will progress slowly, resulting in the accumulation of mature yet abnormal white blood cells. Acute leukemia replaces healthy cells and produces functional lymphocytes that have leukemia cells that cannot mature properly. The leukemia cells are transported via the bloodstream to various tissues or organs, such as the testes, lymph nodes, liver, and brain. There, they continue growing and dividing, causing various symptoms.