Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood that affects your bone marrow. It occurs when abnormal blood cells multiply too quickly. It starts in the bone marrow — the soft tissue inside your bones where blood is made. Most often, these are immature white blood cells that don't function properly.
The word "leukaemia" comes from Greek, meaning "white blood". Unlike many other cancers, leukaemia doesn't usually form a solid lump or tumour. As a result, it often doesn't appear on imaging scans like X-rays or CT scans.
There are different types of leukaemia. Some types are more common in children, while others affect more adults. The type of leukaemia and your overall health will help determine the best treatment. If you or a loved one is dealing with symptoms or has been diagnosed with leukaemia, you can consult our Oncologist in Jaipur for expert guidance and personalised care.
Leukaemia symptoms can appear slowly or come on suddenly. Here are some of the most common signs that you need to notice:
Leukaemia begins in the bone marrow—the soft, cushiony tissue tucked inside your bones, where your body creates new blood cells. Think of the bone marrow as a kind of factory, constantly working to produce the essential ingredients your body needs to function: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Each of these blood cells plays a vital role:
All of these cells start out as what are called haematopoietic stem cells – a mouthful, but all it really means is they're special cells with the potential to become many different kinds of blood cells. These stem cells take one of two main paths: they either become myeloid cells or lymphoid cells.
Myeloid cells eventually turn into red blood cells, platelets, and certain types of white blood cells. Lymphoid cells grow into specific white blood cells like lymphocytes and natural killer cells, both essential to your immune system.
In a healthy body, this process runs smoothly. But with leukaemia, something goes wrong. One of these young blood cells starts to grow and divide in a way it shouldn’t. Instead of maturing into a useful cell, it turns into a leukaemia cell—an abnormal cell that doesn’t function properly.
These leukaemia cells begin to pile up in the bone marrow, taking over the space and resources that healthy cells need. As a result, your body struggles to produce the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets it needs to keep you healthy.
Sometimes, doctors discover chronic leukaemia during a routine blood test, even before any symptoms appear. If that happens — or if you're experiencing signs that point toward leukaemia — your doctor may suggest a few tests to help confirm the diagnosis.
Physical exam: Your doctor will thoroughly examine your health, especially if you're experiencing few symptoms, such as pale skin (which may be caused by anaemia), swollen lymph nodes, or an enlarged liver or spleen.
Blood test: Your doctor may recommend some blood tests to check whether the levels of red blood cells, white cells, or platelets are abnormal. Blood tests can also reveal the presence of leukaemia cells, although not all types of leukaemia cause leukaemia cells to circulate in the blood. Sometimes leukaemia cells remain in the bone marrow.
Bone marrow test: Your doctor may also take a sample of bone marrow from your hipbone using a thin needle. This test will help you to identify the type of leukaemia, and accordingly, your doctor will suggest a treatment plan.
Facing leukaemia is never easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. At CK Birla Hospital, we focus on providing care that treats the whole person, not just the disease. Here’s why so many families trust us:
We believe in being with you at every step—whether you need information, treatment, or just someone to talk to.
Yes, some types of blood cancer are curable, especially if detected early and treated promptly, but it depends on the type and stage.
No, most cases of leukaemia aren’t inherited, but having a family history may slightly increase the risk.
Yes, certain blood tests can detect signs of cancer, including leukaemia and lymphoma, but more tests are usually needed for a confirmed diagnosis.
Common signs include fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, unexplained weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes.
Leukaemia affects the blood and bone marrow, while lymphoma starts in the lymphatic system, like the lymph nodes and spleen.
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