leukemia

American  

[loo-kee-mee-uh] / luˈki mi ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. any of several cancers of the bone marrow that prevent the normal manufacture of red and white blood cells and platelets, resulting in anemia, increased susceptibility to infection, and impaired blood clotting.

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leukemia Scientific  

/ lo̅o̅-kē′mē-ə /

1. Any of various acute or chronic neoplastic diseases of the bone marrow in which unrestrained proliferation of white blood cells occurs, usually accompanied by anemia, impaired blood clotting, and enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. Certain viruses, genetic defects, chemicals, and ionizing radiation, are associated with an increased risk of leukemia, which is classified according to the cellular maturity of the involved white blood cells.

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leukemia Cultural  

1. A kind of cancer in which the number of white blood cells in the blood greatly increases. Leukemia usually spreads to the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and other areas of the body, causing destruction of tissues and often resulting in death.

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Other Word Forms

• antileukemic adjective
• leukemic adjective

Etymology

Origin of leukemia

First recorded in 1850–55; earlier leuchaemia, from German Leukämie; equivalent to leuko- + -emia

Explanation

Leukemia is a type of cancer that forms in the blood cells. Leukemia makes it very difficult for the body to fight off infection. Because it dramatically increases the number of white blood cells in a person's body, leukemia decreases red blood cells and platelets, both of which are necessary for keeping us healthy. Additionally, the white blood cells caused by leukemia can't fight infection the way they normally do. The word leukemia comes from the Greek words leukos, "white," and haima, "blood."

Example Sentences

Chemotherapy brought the first meaningful progress against leukemia, but it also exposed a defining paradox of cancer care.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

And Merck said it would buy Terns Pharmaceuticals, which is working on a drug to treat leukemia, for $6.7 billion.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Following the passing of Michelle Carew, who died from a rare form of leukemia in 1996 at the age of 18, it was renamed in her memory.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Other Wilmot researchers are carrying out related studies in women with breast cancer and in older adults with leukemia, aiming to find ways to reverse treatment-related aging.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

There was Hodgkin’s disease, leukemia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller