Definition

Leukemia is a group of bone marrow diseases involving an uncontrolled increase in white blood cells (leukocytes).

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

• Hairy cell leukemia
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
• Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)

See also leukemia resources.

Bone marrow aspiration
Acute lymphocytic leukemia - photomicrograph
Auer rods
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia - microscopic view
Chronic myelocytic leukemia - microscopic view
Chronic myelocytic leukemia
Chronic myelocytic leukemia
Cryoglobulinemia - of the fingers
Antibodies

References

Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG. Clinical Oncology. 3rd ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2004:2732.

Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2005:1124-1126.

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Review Date:3/9/2007
Reviewed By: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.