leukemia

[ loo-kee-mee-uh ]

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.

leukemia

/ 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.

leukemia

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.

Other Words From

• leu·kemic adjective
• anti·leu·kemic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of leukemia¹

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

Example Sentences

Anthracyclines are a class of chemotherapy medications used to treat many types of cancer, including breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma and sarcoma.

From Science Daily

He’s been playing with a heavy heart this season as his father battles leukemia.

From Los Angeles Times

Jones died Wednesday night at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage after a two-year battle with leukemia, his manager Milt Suchin confirmed Thursday to The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

Rod Carew curls up on a family room sofa with the young woman they call “Miracle Child,” 18-year-old Michelle Carew, a leukemia victim and the youngest of Rod and Marilynn Carew’s three daughters.

From Los Angeles Times

Last fall, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

From Los Angeles Times